Ludhiana: Bleeding cycle industry to take the battle to China
Facing stiff competition from Chinese manufacturers who are flooding the market with cheap imports, local bicycle industry has decided to take the battle to the dragon's gates.
Facing stiff competition from Chinese manufacturers who are flooding the market with cheap imports, local bicycle industry has decided to take the battle to the dragon's gates.
Local manufacturers are gearing up to produce high-end bicycles that could compete with Chinese cycles. Cycle manufacturers are worried over the ever increasing imports from China and shrinking exports that have trickled down significantly during the past few years.
“Chinese bicycles and components are eating into the local market. Several cycle parts units have been shut down due to excessive import of cheap Chinese goods,” says Avtar Singh Bhogal of MS Bhogal and Sons, a cycle parts manufacturer.
“We want to take the battle to Chinese firms and manufacture high-end bicycles that would compete with their products. We are ready to upgrade, all want is help from the government,” says Bhogal.
“There are provisions such as formation of bicycle cluster, that could provide subsidies to the cycle manufacturers from the schemes of the Central government,” he adds.
He said subsidies on machinery and other equipments would allow Ludhiana industry to manufacture world-class bicycles.
Cycle manufacturers, who drew huge inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' initiative, say the scheme would only be successful if domestic consumers use products that are made in India.
Manjit Singh Khalsa, chairman of the United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association (UCPMA), said, “We can woo consumers
with modern technique and machinery.”
“There is a need for reviewing the trade policy to bail out the cycle industry. We can compete with China only if there is some support from the Central government,” says Khalsa.