Established in 2006, Bydgoszcz Industrial Cluster Tool Valley incorporates companies of the toolmaking and plastics processing industries and a range of business related institutions.
The cluster’s aim is the integration of processing and tool experts, representing their interests outside the industry and also establishing a network of business connections facilitating the operations of companies, access to human resources, technological development and an increase of innovation in production. The Cluster's range of services covers four main areas:
- information and promotion,
- education,
- support to R&D and innovation,
- developing of international cooperation.
The members of Bydgoszcz Industrial Cluster Tool Valley form a natural chain of relations – they offer both tool steel, specialist machinery and software, as well as polymer materials, masterbatches and modifying agents. They manufacture cutting edge tools for plastics processing primarily injection moulds, blow moulds, extrusion heads, rubber processing moulds, as well as blanking dies and stamping dies. The companies also deal with manufacture of polymer items with a mass from a fraction of a gram to a few kilograms by means of injection mouling, extrusion and blow moulding. The recipients of their services are entities operating in the household goods, food, medical, pharmaceutical, automotive, cosmetics, packaging and many other sectors, where plastic components are used. Recycling companies also function within the cluster in the aim of supporting companies in terms of circular economy. The cluster also associates in research and development units supporting innovativeness of companies eg. in the process of the fourth industrial revolution. The Members of the Cluster are equipped with state-of- -the-art machines and devices, as well as specialist software necessary to meet the present-day market challenges.
As a part of promotion and internationalization, Bydgoszcz Industrial Cluster Tool Valley organizes joint stands for its members both at domestic and international trade fairs and trips to economic missions combined with visiting international trade shows. Since 2017, in cooperation with Targi w Krakowie Sp. z o.o. the Cluster has been organizing INNOFORM - International Cooperative Trade Fair of Tools and Plastics Processing Industry. The thematic scope of the Trade Fair includes the crucial issues of special tools production, cutting tools, plastics processing, joining and coating of metals, materials and raw materials.
Since 2016, the Bydgoszcz Industrial Cluster Tool Valley has held the National Key Cluster status granted by the Polish Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Technology to organizations of significant importance to the domestic economy and of high international competitiveness.