PPT for Footloose industry case study for AQA GCSE Geography

1. FOOTLOOSE INDUSTRIES
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. To know the key factors affecting footloose
industry location.
2. To understand why the M4 Corridor is an
excellent case study.

3. Footloose Industries
New industrial locations, in which the industrial structure is
dominated by footloose industries, are most likely to be
located next to motorways. The types of industry that they
contain are often referred to as sunrise industries. There are
many of them along motorway corridors, such as the M11,
M23, M3 and M4.
The greatest concentration of all is along the M4 corridor
between London and Reading. Light industries in this area
include electrical goods, car parts and many food companies.
Many of the high-tech companies are engaged in research
and processing involving micro-electronics for computers and
telecommunications equipment. High-tech companies include
Oracle and NEC.

4. General Advantages for the
growth of light industries
Locations next to motorways would suggest that transport is
the most important factor in deciding their location. Since they
use or assemble parts of no great weight or bulk made by
other industries, transport to market is more significant than
raw material assembly. The wealthiest and most concentrated
market in the country is Greater London. Being near to here is
a great advantage. At the same time, there are motorway
connections to the rest of Britain, and a high-speed rail link
follows the M4 corridor between London and South Wales.
Closeness to the Channel Tunnel is also important for access
to EU markets. They also benefit from nearness to London’s
three main airports for international business links.

5. Specific Advantages for
high-tech industries
Labour is a key locational factor. The availability of highly
skilled research scientists and engineers is very important.
The presence of several universities has helped to provide a
pool of graduates, and universities offer research facilities as
well. The long-established presence of aerospace research in
Bristol area, undertaken by companies such as Rolls-Royce
and British Aerospace, has been a further attraction for some
companies. Another important consideration is where these
specialist workers prefer to live. Areas of pleasant countryside
are close enough to be accessible at weekends, they are near
to airports for holidays abroad, and everywhere is within easy
reach of London for big sporting events, exhibitions and West
End shopping and shows.

6. M4 Corridor
Cambridge and the M11
corridor
Where does high-tech
industry locate in the UK?
High-tech industry in the UK
Silicon Glen
M3 corridor

7. High-tech industry on the M4 corridor

8. M4 Corridor