Company Profile

ESTABLISHED: 1952

CONTACT PERSON:Mr. Onkar Singh Pahwa - Managing Director

GROUP HISTORY
The beginnings were humble - classic example of the enterprising Punjabi spirit. The founders Pahwa Brothers dreamt of giving the common man of this country an affordable means of mobility in those early days of our country’s independence. Excellent quality, economical price and ethical business dealings earned them instant acceptability. Holding these values close to their hearts they built the trust brick by brick
Starting up a bicycle saddles and brakes manufacturing unit in 1948, the Pahwas set out on a long and arduous journey. Avon Cycles came into being in 1952 when the first batch of 250 bicycles rolled out of its plant.

Starting up a bicycle saddles and brakes manufacturing unit in 1948, the Pahwas set out on a long and arduous journey. Avon Cycles came into being in 1952 when the first batch of 250 bicycles rolled out of its plant.

The numbers have been going up, ever since. From amongst the pioneers of the Indian bicycle industry, AVON has remained in the top performers’ position for over half a century. The promoters’ abiding faith in human values and fairness, built enduring business bonds with a vast dealer network in India and abroad. High-class technology, consistent quality and effective after-sales service made up a perfect proposition.

AVON is the only group anywhere in the world with full backward integration. They have facilities for making almost all the parts, including Steel Balls needed for their Bicycles. This places them a cut above the rest when we talk of quality born of work culture. They did not venture into Tyre and Tubes, these being in a different discipline, altogether. To meet their expanding requirement of raw materials, they added facilities for making Steel Strips, Steel Tubes and Hot Rolled Steel, achieving full backward integration, unmatched and unequalled anywhere else.

Today, the Group occupies a unique position in the industry. By way of thanksgiving for its prosperity, they support two modern hospitals looking after the poor and the less fortunate of our brethren.

The family business was reorganised in 1997 and the flagship company is the subject of this profile.

PRESENT ORGANISATION
Sh. Sohan Lal Pahwa is the Chairman. Mr. Onkar Singh Pahwa leads the team as Managing Director. His two sons serve as full time working directors. The elder Rishi Pahwa, has Purchases and Works under him and the younger Mandeep Pahwa looks after Sales and Finance. There is hierarchy of senior Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents and General Managers heading various functions.

The organisation combines the simplicity and speed of a family business and the broad-based features of corporate functioning. The former inspires trust, and the latter confidence in its ability to perform continually and consistently.

LOCATION
The Company’s Head Office and manufacturing units are conveniently located on the G.T. Road at Ludhiana, a buzzing industrial city in the northern state of Punjab. The city is well connected with other major cities and ports by Rail, Road and Air. The national capital Delhi is 300 KM away.

Placed on an 85,000 square meters site in the ‘cycle capital of India’, AVON is a truly integrated bicycle manufacturer rolling out an impressive 1.5 million true born machines per annum: most modern plants and machinery systems, comparable to the best in the world, make it possible.

BRAND EQUITY
Years of trust building has earned AVON the status of a household name. ‘AVON’, ‘APSARA’ and ‘BUKE’ have become synonymous with dependable quality at competitive price.

VISION
As a manufacturing company, the company is committed to delivering quality at affordable price. Technological innovation has been one of the most natural advantages of its organisational structure. In fifty-two years of its being, it has invested heavily in its human capital. The highly motivated work force carries a sense of belonging. Their happiness is the key to its growth. Some of the workers joined the company in their youth and now, their second generation is growing with it to be old enough to bequeath their trust to the generation next. They have grown with the company.

OVERSEAS
In Bicycles and Bicycle Parts, the company distinguishes itself as the Largest Manufacturer Exporter from India. That it has enjoyed this status now for several years in a row, speaks of the popularity of its brands overseas. AVON is an ‘Export House’ recognised by the Government of India.

EXPANSION PLANS
Currently the company is engaged in development of a range of e-bikes and e-scooters. Entry level model AVON e-bike is already in the market. Suitable infrastructure spread over an additional floor area of 35, 000 square meters has already come up adjoining the present site. Offers of collaboration by overseas companies are being evaluated.

CHARITY
In its concern for a better life for the less fortunate of our brethren, the company started the Sardar Nihal Singh Pahwa Hospital in the city’s Industrial Area, way back in 1973. For 25 years, Sh. Sohan Lal Pahwa nurtured it with the fondness of a parent. Following reorganisation of business, he turned his attention to the rural area of Ludhiana and set up the Mata Kaushalya Devi Pahwa Charitable Hospital in Hambran. It is the only modern hospital for the neighbourhood of 40 odd villages.

Product Range