(a) Outline five factors which an industrialist will consider when locating a fruit canning industry. (b) Explain five benefits derived from the concentrati...

(a) Five factors an industrialist will consider when locating a fruit canning industry

1. Nearness to raw materials: Fruits are bulky and perishable, so the factory must be sited close to the fruit-growing area to reduce spoilage and transport cost.
2. Availability of water: Large quantities of clean water are needed for washing, processing and cooling the fruits, so a reliable water supply is essential.
3. Supply of labour: Both skilled and unskilled workers are needed for sorting, processing and operating machines, so the site should have access to adequate labour.
4. Availability of market: The industry should be located near, or well connected to, a large market so that the canned products can be sold quickly.
5. Transport and power: Good roads, railways or ports for moving raw materials and finished goods, and a steady supply of electric power to run the machines, are important considerations (capital and government policy are also relevant).

(b) Five benefits from the concentration of manufacturing industries in urban centres

1. Provision of employment: The clustering of many industries creates numerous jobs, reducing unemployment in the town.
2. Shared infrastructure: Industries share roads, electricity, water and communication facilities, which lowers the cost of production for each firm.
3. Availability of skilled labour: A concentration of industries attracts and pools a large body of skilled and specialised workers that all the firms can draw upon.
4. Ready market and linkages: Industries located together serve as markets for one another; the by-product or output of one becomes the raw material of another, encouraging linked industries.
5. Availability of services: Banks, insurance, repair workshops, warehousing and research facilities develop to serve the industries, improving efficiency and growth of the urban economy.