Helmet manufacturer Steelbird Hi-Tech India Limited is setting up another unit in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, with an installed capacity of 6 lakh helmets per annum. The proposed unit is likely to be operational by next year. This will be the company’s second unit in the state.
The company also has plans to foray into retail to sell bike gear in India.
Speaking to Business Standard, Rajeev Kapur, managing director, Steelbird Hi-Tech, said, " “We are setting up second unit in Baddi with an investment of Rs 10 crore. Recently, we started manufacturing side boxes for motorcycle there." The company has a market share of around 30 per cent in the country’s organised sector. It is has a technical collaboration with Bieffe, the world's leading helmet manufacturer.
“The market is dominated by unbranded helmets,” said Kumar. “Moreover, few state governments have made it mandatory to wear helmets. If all the state governments ban non-ISI-marked helmets and make helmets mandatory for two-wheeler riders, the market size would be about 5,000 crores. If the government enforces this law, it would grow exponentially."
On being asked about the company’s future plans, he said, "India has a huge market for bike gear. However, riders hardly have any choice if they want to buy authentic branded and international-quality riding gear.”
So we are planning to set up an exclusive chain of retail outlets to sell riding gears in India. These shops will be known as Riderz Shoppes and will sell riding gear like helmets, bike suits, jackets, gloves, sunglasses, knee pads, wind suits, rain suits etc. The concept of outlets where a motorcycle rider can choose riding gear may be a new concept for India, but in Western countries you will find a lot of such outlets which are very popular.
