Economic World Case Economic World Case StudyStudy

High Tech Industry: High Tech Industry: Bracknell, UKBracknell, UK

What do you need to revise?What do you need to revise?

What are modern high tech industries? What are modern high tech industries? Where are they usually found in the UK?Where are they usually found in the UK?

Where is your case study? (should come Where is your case study? (should come out through the next section)out through the next section)

Why have hi-tech industries located in Why have hi-tech industries located in Bracknell? (BE SPECIFIC)Bracknell? (BE SPECIFIC)

Which firms have been attracted to locate Which firms have been attracted to locate in Bracknell?in Bracknell?

What are ‘hi-tech industries’?What are ‘hi-tech industries’?

……those that involve the use of those that involve the use of research research and developmentand development to to create high value, create high value, technology basedtechnology based product and processes product and processes e.g. computer part development.e.g. computer part development.

These are thought of as ‘These are thought of as ‘footloosefootloose’ (an ’ (an industry that can locate anywhere).industry that can locate anywhere).

However a number of specific factors However a number of specific factors affect their location.affect their location.

Where are hi-tech industries Where are hi-tech industries usually found in the UK?usually found in the UK?

Usually found in large concentrations.Usually found in large concentrations.

Cambridge (Silicon Fen)Cambridge (Silicon Fen)

North of Glasgow (Silicon Glen)North of Glasgow (Silicon Glen)

Thames ValleyThames Valley

Bracknell & BerkshireBracknell & Berkshire

Where is Bracknell?Where is Bracknell?

Source: [www.rfidc.com]

Why have hi-tech firms located in Why have hi-tech firms located in Bracknell?Bracknell?

(1) (1) Excellent communications linksExcellent communications links

Close to M4 &M3 Close to M4 &M3 (access to whole of UK)(access to whole of UK)

20 miles20 miles from from HeathrowHeathrow airport airport

50 miles50 miles from from GatwickGatwick airport airport

Situated on the Situated on the Reading to Waterloo rail Reading to Waterloo rail lineline which gives access to whole of UK which gives access to whole of UK network.network.

Why have hi-tech firms located in Why have hi-tech firms located in Bracknell?Bracknell?

(2) Highly skilled workforce(2) Highly skilled workforceBracknell’s Bracknell’s populationpopulation has has growngrown significantly significantly over over last 50yrslast 50yrs..Growth in the 25-44 age bracket (working age) Growth in the 25-44 age bracket (working age) and skilled workers in Bracknell.and skilled workers in Bracknell.% population in 25-44 age group rose from 29% % population in 25-44 age group rose from 29% in 1951 – 36% in 2001.in 1951 – 36% in 2001.Many universities in the area with good degrees Many universities in the area with good degrees in computer technology e.g. Brunel, Surrey & in computer technology e.g. Brunel, Surrey & Reading all in a 20 radius of Bracknell.Reading all in a 20 radius of Bracknell.

Why have hi-tech firms located in Why have hi-tech firms located in Bracknell?Bracknell?

(3) Local facilities/environment(3) Local facilities/environmentHi-tech firms require excellentHi-tech firms require excellent leisure facilities for the leisure facilities for the workers.workers.Bracknell has many; Bracknell has many; dry ski-slope, ice rink, bowling, dry ski-slope, ice rink, bowling, athletics, football& rugby clubs and swimming pool.athletics, football& rugby clubs and swimming pool.Surrounding Bracknell there is;Surrounding Bracknell there is; a large coniferous a large coniferous forest to the south forest to the south with open public access through thewith open public access through the ‘Look Out Country Park’. Windsor Great Park is to ‘Look Out Country Park’. Windsor Great Park is to the east the east of Bracknell for exploring on foot or by bike and of Bracknell for exploring on foot or by bike and the the Chiltern HillsChiltern Hills to the north. to the north.Also the Also the South Hill Park Arts CentreSouth Hill Park Arts Centre which regularly which regularly has theatrical performances.has theatrical performances.

Which hi-tech firms have located in Which hi-tech firms have located in Bracknell?Bracknell?

Hewlett PackardHewlett PackardSiemensSiemensDellDellPanasonicPanasonic

Office complexes are impressive with Office complexes are impressive with landscaped gardens and car parkinglandscaped gardens and car parking. Also . Also direct access to motorways. A number of hotels direct access to motorways. A number of hotels have been built e.g. The have been built e.g. The Coppid Beach HotelCoppid Beach Hotel in in Windsor Great Park, which Windsor Great Park, which caters for company caters for company executivesexecutives with conference facilities. with conference facilities.

Typical questions:Typical questions:

What is meant by a ‘high-tech’ firm? [2]What is meant by a ‘high-tech’ firm? [2]

What is meant by the term a ‘footloose’ industry? [2]What is meant by the term a ‘footloose’ industry? [2]

With specific reference to your chosen case study With specific reference to your chosen case study describe and explain the locating factors associated with describe and explain the locating factors associated with high-tech industries [6].high-tech industries [6].

With specific reference to your chosen case study With specific reference to your chosen case study explain why it has been an attractive location for high-explain why it has been an attractive location for high-tech firms? [6].tech firms? [6].