Ab Tak 47 (Saintalis)
   

This issue is the 47th Annual issue and for us at Indian Bicycle Ambassador it is the attainment of another milestone in the service of the Indian Bicycle Industry.

For the first time in the history of Ludhiana, the hub of Indian bicycle industry, labour resorted to strike in bicycle, components and tyre/tube units adversely affecting the production in these segments with casacading effects on the domestic and export fronts. The year also witnessed mushrooming of Brand Ambassadors engaged by all major bike manufacturers to promote their respective products.

Reflecting the general tendency and individual outlook our contributors of exclusive articles have elucidated their concepts and contentions in a rather forthright manner.

According to Mr. Vikram Kapur and Mr. Salil Kapur, Atlas cycles, the cost escalation of inputs like steel rubber, nickel, paint, etc. has resulted in an increase of 15-30%which simply cannot be passed on to the end-user and the industry is obliged to trim and slim and enter into a costreduction exercise to be able to absorb atleast  75% of the burden. Whereas Mr. V J Upadhaya, Hamilton Industries maintains that due to price increase manufacturing of basic Roadster models is shifting to unorganised sector which will in effect end up jettisoning the quality aspect to the detriment of the consumer who will have to depend on an unreliable product in terms of quality and durability.

Mr. G Hari, Ti Cycles exhudes confidence that given the choice of dependable service and spares, the consumer will stick to his brand and emphasizes on the importance of maintaining exclusive network of Sales/Servicenters throghout the country and the company has made valiant efforts in this direction . Mr. R D Sharma, Safari Bikes opines that Indian Bike manufactures should take up cudgels to improve the quality of the product as per demand in the global market place and compete on the price front.

The Industry as a whole should contribute its mite by investing in R &D to update and come up with components of high precision and quality acceptable to the international  market, which will culminate  in closing the gap between the world ‘s No 1 and No 2 bicycle manufacturing countries.  For this to be effective and successful the Government should also come forward with sops to sustain and develop this sector which is focused on health and environmental aspects of cycling for domestic market while at the same earning valuable foreign exchange through exports.

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