Erode district is one among the industrially developing districts. Industry and Trade occupy a place of prominence in the economy of the district. Industries that flourished in early days in and around Erode area were handloom weaving and carpet manufacturing. The advent of modern era has changed these industries to some extent and the powerloom weaving is slowly replacing it. There are 24189 registered SSI units as on 31.12.2000 in the district besides 59 Large Scale Units.
The district has high concentration of powerloom & Handloom weaving, Rice milling, Edible oil expelling units. The other industries are Tanneries, Chemical & Plastic Products, Paper Products, Basic Metal Products industries etc.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure is recognised as the most important factor as well as promoter of industrial activity in the economy. Availability of Power, Water, Transportation, Industrial Estate, Finance and Technical Education are the important infrastructure for industrial development. Erode district has a good infrastructural base.
Small Scale Industries
Small Scale Industries are providing large-scale employment next to Agriculture in this district. It have played a very important role in the districts economy by providing large scale employment opportunities at fairly low capital cost, a wide industrial base, easy scattering of industries in rural areas and concentration of certain industrial groups at specific areas.
The district stands first for the highest number of units in
a) Beverages
b) Jute, Hemp & Mesta Textile Products
It stands second in the following sectors.
a) Food Products
b) Cotton Textiles
It stands fourth in
a) Basic Metal Products
Large Scale Industries
There are 70 Large Scale Industries in this district. Most of the units are cotton textiles. 57 units are textile industries. The following table shows the number of large scale units product wise.
Industries |
No of Units |
| Textile Industries |
57 |
| Engineering Industries |
3 |
| Sugar Mills |
2 |
| Oil Extraction |
1 |
| Others |
7 |
| Total |
70 |
|
Cottage Industries
Cottage Industries are providing large scale employment with low cost investment. In Erode District there are 5915 units registered under cottage industries as on 31.03.2003 and they are providing employment to 6018 persons. Among them the major type of industries are given below.
| Cottage Industries |
No of Units |
Employment |
| Tailoring units |
|
|
| Weaving of Cotton, Wool, Jute and Silk |
963 |
|
| Leather Products |
809 |
|
| Coir & Coir Products |
302 |
|
| Gem cutting |
218 |
|
| Pickle and Mixture making |
317 |
|
| Bidi Manufacturing |
121 |
|
| Coconut leaf Thatching |
319 |
|
| Puffed Rice |
110 |
120 |
| Wood Industry |
209 |
213 |
| Dehydrated / Dried fruits & vegetables |
88 |
90 |
| Pottery |
107 |
107 |
| Bamboo Baskets |
68 |
68 |
|
Handicraft Units
Like cottage industries, handicraft units are also providing employment to the rural artisans. In Erode District there are 8222 units providing employment to 8300 person. The major types of activities are furnished in the table.
| Handicrafts Activity |
No of Units |
Employment |
| Readymade Garments |
|
|
| Handloom Cloth |
1128 |
|
| Leather |
913 |
|
| Agarbathi |
401 |
|
| Carpets |
1659 |
|
| Palm Leaf Articles |
273 |
|
| Incease Perfumery |
201 |
|
| Artistic Printing |
147 |
|
| Jewellery |
124 |
124 |
| Bamboo, Cane etc. |
196 |
198 |
| Hand Printing |
240 |
247 |
| Wood Work |
196 |
196 |
| Embroiding Works |
751 |
764 |
|
|
