In the first phase, the programme will be available for three industries: rubber, wood and furniture, and textiles and garments, Atchaka Sibunruang Brimble, director of the Industrial Economics Office, told a seminar last week.

The first competitive benchmarking project ran for four years to 2004. It has proved invaluable in measuring what aspects of industries need improvement, including investment, production and marketing, she said.

To extend the project, the Industrial Economics Office and the Thailand Productivity Institute have developed competitive benchmarking in greater depth. The more sophisticated version consists of comparative databases for supply chain, human resources and accounting management.

The in-depth programme opened last Thursday for applications from any corporation in the three industries.

Chakramon Phasukvanich, permanent secretary at the Industry Ministry, said that after four years applying the benchmarks to large industries the results were good, so SMEs should follow suit.

"The ministry wants manufacturers to put in for competitive benchmarking to upgrade local industries to international standards," he said.

Atchaka said participants would learn their own strong and weak points, use competitive benchmarks to conduct self-assessment and compare their efficiency and processes with those of their peers and other industries.

A benchmarking network is ready for members to exchange experiences and best practices and learn their industry's weaknesses and strengths relative to international standards.

Benchmark indicators cover management areas such as procurement, customer orders, logistics, manufacturing, new-product development and supply-chain planning.

Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul

The Nation