Summary of Main Findings

Establishments Profiles

• Of the total 50 establishments that responded to the survey, 15 (30%) were between 10 - 19 and 14 (28%) were 20 - 29 years of age.
• A substantial percentage (46%) of establishments employed less than 10 persons while 18% employed between 10 - 19 persons.
• Overall, the survey results show that two-fifths (42%) of the establishments were engaged in manufacture of all other metal products and 26% in metal building materials.
• Most of the responding establishments (92%) in the Assembly-type and related industries were local and privately owned; 8% of manufacturers of building materials and one (50%) of the two producers of metal containers were wholly owned by a foreign corporation.
• Approximately, two-thirds (64%) of the establishments overall, and 50% and more by various sub-sectors reported no change in employment between 2011 and 2012.
• The majority of establishments (74%) employed no engineers. However, one-third (33%) of the establishments in each of the manufacture of metal furniture and electrical/electronic items employed seven and eight engineers respectively.
• Sales in the Assembly-type and related industries ranged from less than $1m to over $20m in 2012. One-third (34%) of the establishments reported sales of less than $1m while 28% recorded sales between $1m -$5m in 2012. Approximately one-fifth (18%) of the establishments indicated that sales were over $20m. By industry, the data reveal that a substantial percentage of establishments in boat building and ship repair (67%), assembly of appliances (50%) and production of all other metal products (43%) generated less than $1m in sales revenue. However, a half of the establishments in assembly of appliances (50%) and manufacture of metal containers (50%) recorded sales in excess of $20m as did a third of the establishments in assembly or manufacture of electrical/electronic items (33%) and metal building materials (31%).
• Over a third (36%) of the respondents, especially those in production of metal furniture (67%), experienced a growth in sales between 2011 and 2012 while a similar percentage (36%) recorded decreases and 28% indicated no change in sales.
• Over a half (54%) of the establishments in the Assembly-type and related industries sub-sector exported in 2012.
• Of the 27 establishments that exported in 2012, 48% exported less than $1m while 26% exported between $1m - $5m, 15% between $6m - $10m and 7% between $11m - $50m. Establishments in the production of metal building materials (25%) reported exports valued between $11m - $50m.
• A substantial percentage (48%) of the respondents showed declines in export sales over the period, 2011 - 2012 while 22% registered increases and 30% experienced no change. The establishments in electrical/electronic items and boat building and ship repairs together with the vast majority in metal building materials (75%) reported decreases in export sales between 2011 and 2012.
• Three-quarters (74%) of the establishments that exported reported exports of between 1-25% of total sales and 22% indicated exports to total revenue in the range of 26-50% in 2012. By sub-sectors, the data reveal that a half or more of the establishments in all sub-sectors except boat building and ship repairs recorded exports of between 1-25% of total sales. In addition, both respondents (100%) in boat building and ship repairs reported exports to total sales in the range of 26-50% and only one (13%) establishment in manufacture of metal building materials indicated exports to total sales of over 50%.

Innovation Activities

• The percentage of establishments in the Assembly-type and related industries sub-sector engaged in diffusion was not significant as revealed by the indicators of licensing, sub-contracting and outsourcing. Overall, 6% of establishments had licensing contract for product or process technology, one-fifth (20%) stated that they were sub-contracting and 12% were outsourcing.
• Two-fifths (40%) of the establishments purchased new machinery and equipment during the period 2011 - 2012. Both producers (100%) of metal containers purchased new machinery and equipment followed by manufacture of all other metal products (48%) and metal building materials (39%). Of the 20 establishments that purchased new machinery and equipment, 45% acquired such capital goods from foreign markets, one-quarter (25%) from local suppliers and 30% from both local and foreign markets.
• In general, the majority of establishments in the Assembly-type and related industries of manufacturing was not engaged in product or process innovation in 2011 - 2012. Of the 50 establishments that responded to the survey, 36% had improved an existing product and, 24% and 22% developed and introduced new products respectively. In the case of process innovation 36% had improved an existing process, 24% developed or modified an existing process and 20% introduced a new process
• In terms of organisational innovation a relatively large percentage of respondents had introduced/improved maintenance routines and systems (44%) and introduced/expanded in-house training programme (40%). Approximately a third of the establishments had introduced/improved quality assurance systems (36%), introduced changes in management systems and techniques (34%) and introduced/improved waste management procedures (34%). In addition, over a quarter of the respondents had improved plant layout (28%) and 26% implemented major changes in organisational strategy and structure.
• Marketing innovation included the implementation of marketing methods and the development of new markets at home and abroad. Overall, most establishments from the Assembly-type and related industries were not engaged in these innovative activities during 2011 - 2012. Twenty-eight percent (28%) of the establishments introduced new marketing techniques, while 8% and 14% developed new markets at home and abroad respectively.

Driving Forces and Obstacles to Innovation

• A substantial percentage of respondents rated improving customer satisfaction (48%), product quality (42%) and productivity (38%) as very important reasons for innovating. Reducing production costs (40%) and improving working conditions (32%) were also identified as important. The lowest rating was assigned to dealing with new competitors in exports, in that 22% of the respondents indicated that it was not important.
• In the Assembly-type and related industries, the main obstacle to innovation was identified as the high cost of the innovation project, which a quarter (24%) of the respondents stated to be very significant. Approximately one-fifth of the respondents rated domestic economic conditions (20%), lack of financing (18%), lack of skilled/qualified personnel (18%) and weak customer demand (18%) also as very significant obstacles to innovation. A half or more of the respondents indicated that long administrative/approval process within the firm (54%), lack of information on technology itself (52%), lack of external technical support (52%) and legislation (50%) were not relevant/appropriate.

Linkages and Collaboration

• The majority of respondents identified their establishments (56%) and customers (46%) as very important sources of information for innovation. A substantial percentage of respondents did not use parent firms (52%), client firms (42%), professional journals and trade publications (42%), education and research institutes (42%), government or public research institutes (40%), consultancy firms (36%), and fairs, exhibitions and conferences (32%) as sources of information on innovation.
• Customers (40%) were identified as the major source of information on product innovation followed by suppliers (24%) and their establishments (20%). In addition, establishments (38%) and suppliers (22%) were seen as the main sources of information on process innovation. With respect to marketing innovation, one-fifth of the respondents used their establishments (22%) and business and industry associations (20%). A quarter (26%) of the respondents accessed information on management innovation within their establishments.
• In general, most establishments in the industry were not engaged in co-operative and collaborative arrangements as a means of diffusion. One-fifth of the establishments had co-operative and collaborative arrangements with customers (20%) and suppliers (18%) while a similar percentage (18%) cited accessing new markets as the reason for collaboration.

Impact of Innovation on Key Performance Indicators

• A substantial percentage of respondents indicated that innovation resulted in increased productivity (46%), competitiveness (38%) and service quality (38%). A quarter or more of the respondents recorded increases in product differentiation (36%), cash flow (30%), compliance with regulations (30%), profitability (28%), positive environmental impact (28%) and market share (24%). A relatively large proportion of respondents experienced no change in employment (38%), export growth (28%) and positive environmental impact (28%).

Research and Development

• The survey reveals that only 10% had undertaken research and development activities. Two (4%) establishments utilised trademarks to protect intellectual property.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

• The majority (92%) of respondents, including all sub-sectors, utilised the Internet mainly for email (92%) and searches on the World Wide Web (82%). A half (54%) of the respondents used the Internet for advertising through a home page and two-fifths (40%) for e-commerce.

Government Support Programmes

• Government support programmes for innovation, found inapplicable by 30%, were not accessed by any of the responding establishments of the sub-sectors.