The National Network of Automotive Industry Clusters (REDCAM) is a non-profit civil association that is made up of eleven automotive clusters in Mexico. REDCAM was created in order to bring together the various clusters of the automotive sector in Mexico in any of its modalities and/or linked to this industry in order to strengthen them and create value chains for their associates through a high degree of cooperation. , collaboration and synergy between the regions, to contribute, develop and consolidate the automotive industry at the national level, generating and executing strategies that contribute to the comprehensive development of the industry both at the regional and national level.
When was it established? and Who created this network?
The directors of the clusters of Edomex, Nuevo León, Guanajuato and Querétaro began to meet sporadically to discuss their day-to-day activities, areas of opportunity, their practices, etc., and as a result of this, they saw the need to do so formal and systematic, so they decided to create a network of clusters and formalize it legally through a constitutive act, to share their experiences, best practices, common projects and collaborate together. In this way, REDCAM was established in 2019.
What activities does REDCAM develop?
Among the activities we do is share best practices between the eleven clusters, from how to carry out work committees, the periodicity, who are members, how to convene associates, etc., to sharing how to organize and carry out events of supply and the importance of carrying them out in each of the regions, with the aim of strengthening the operational processes of each cluster.
Within these collaborations, we created the Human Capital Interclusters Committee where this year we started an “Annual calendar of training courses” at no cost to all our associates and to be able to contribute topics that complement the training calendar of the companies’ Human Resources departments. that make up REDCAM.
Regarding the collaboration agreements that we have made with strategic allies, we offer free of charge various webinars, conferences, diploma courses, workshops and advice on topics of interest to the automotive sector, topics such as “Perspectives of the light vehicle industry” to topics on the “Labor Justice System and the new standards on unionization”, in order to harmonize the internal processes of auto parts companies with the new standards on the matter.
In terms of events, we recently held the 2nd edition of the “AIAG México Automotive Forum” in Mexico City to address quality and supply chain issues and hear from representatives of FORD, GM, Stellantis, Continental, Nissan, KIA among others, the requirements of OEMS and Tier 1, with the purpose of keeping our associates updated and aligned with the legal and regulatory requirements requested by large manufacturers.
What are its main results?
Extend the benefit of the Network to the more than 600 associated companies that make up the eleven clusters, through webinars, training and discounts on cluster supply events, as well as giving direct attention to the directors and coordinators of the eleven clusters to achieve the operational strengthening of their clusters.
Although each cluster works independently, the collaboration and synergy between REDCAM members is making it possible to create joint projects to generate greater competitiveness and promote technological development with shared projects for the benefit of the automotive sector.
What is the profile of the associated and/or affiliated companies?
They partner with automotive companies in the region that manufacture auto parts or are directly related to this field, as well as government and academic institutions, in order to create a common vision, improve competitiveness and promote and carry out collaborative activities.
From OEMs to Tier 1, Tier 2 and even Tier 3, as well as the academic sector with the universities in the region. Likewise, companies that are indirectly related to the sector also join, such as service companies, with a lower fee and other benefits than the members. Currently REDCAM is made up of more than 600 companies.
Are they related to other cluster networks?
A year and a half ago we had a meeting with the Colombian cluster network, to explore being able to collaborate; However, there has not been the opportunity to continue the relationship. We are definitely interested in contacting other cluster networks in both Latin America and Europe.
How is it organized? What are your decision-making procedures?
We have a board of directors, made up of a board of directors currently chaired by Daniel Hernández, President of REDCAM, (Director of the Querétaro Automotive cluster), Fabiola Aguilar, Secretary and Luis Alberto González, as treasurer. The rest of the members serve as advisors with the right to vote in each of the REDCAM decisions.
All decisions are made by voting at the quarterly board meetings, as well as at the annual meeting. When 80% of the majority of votes is reached, the proposed agreement(s) is considered valid.
Do you have permanent equipment?
According to the REDCAM statutes, the board of directors has a term of two years, with the option to be re-elected for two more years in office. The first president of the Network was Manuel Montoya. At the end of his term, all the councilors voted in favor of him continuing in office for two more years, spending 4 years as president. Once the president is elected, he has the ability to choose the secretary and treasurer to support him during his administration.
What is the profile of a team member?
The president of the Network as well as the secretary and treasurer must be one of the directors of the clusters that make up the Network, be up to date with membership payments and have been a director of the automotive cluster in their region for at least one year.
Do you have a permanent professional team that supports the work of the network?
At the moment we have a general coordinator and a part-time intern, with the intention of generating activities and events that allow us to generate more income to strengthen the Network staff, and this in turn allows us to carry out other projects such as the generation of statistical information that helps the decision-making of our members and their associates.
Among the functions as coordinator are those who manage the operational part of the activities and projects that are generated, the administrative part, monitoring projects with strategic allies, internal and external communication, among others.
What is your main financing?
The annual membership paid by each of the clusters that make up the Network.
What are your main objectives/goals for the coming months?
Continue strengthening the operational part of the clusters and begin to standardize their structure and management, based on the standards of The European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (ESCA), a European initiative, which aims to create more first-class clusters throughout the EU through strengthening excellence in cluster management.
Strengthen alliances with other organizations in the sector with the aim of launching joint actions to promote competitiveness, innovation and sustainability of the automotive industry, as well as promote job creation, the formation of human capital and the integration of supply chains efficient, and thereby “send a common message” among all organizations, which strongly reflects that the automotive sector is systematically organized so that it continues to be the main economic sector in the country.
Is there no support from the government?
The cluster policy reinforces the role of clusters as agents capable of promoting collaboration between companies, government, universities and research centers to identify areas of opportunity, promote projects, improve competitiveness, job creation and economic development.
Therefore, States such as Nuevo León, Guanajuato and Querétaro have a public policy of clusters, to maintain and improve the competitive position of their regions on the global stage.
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