Steelbird to double helmet output by 2020

KOCHI: Steelbird Hi-Tech India Ltd., a major manufacturer of riding helmets, plans to focus more on high-end automobile accessories and riding gears to improve its turnover.

The company, with 35% share in the organised helmet market in the country, currently has a daily production capacity of 21,000 helmets from seven plants spread over the country. "We hope to double it by 2020," said Shailendra Jain, Steelbird global group head of sales and marketing.

Seeing a potential in riding gears and accessories, the company has come out with a customised range of gears for the riders. It is opening specialised stores across the country called Riderz Shopee to sell such accessories.

"We intend to open 200 such outlets in the country. Out of this, 50 will be in South India including cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad, Udupi, Mysore where biking is a passion more than commuting," Jain said.

Besides helmets, Steelbird Group has interests in retail automobile parts, entertainment, music channel, online shopping portal, motoring sports etc. The group turnover is Rs 1500 crore, of which helmets contribute Rs 200 crore. The group is hoping to double the turnover by 2020.

"We are scouting for a location to set up a new plant for helmets and accessories at a total investment of Rs 500 crore," he said.