Sohrab ( ur, ) is a Pakistani bicycle company manufacturing both bicycles and its parts. The company is based in

Lahore Lahore ( ; pnb, ; ur, ) is the second most populous city in Pakistan after Karachi and 26th most populous city in the world, with a population of over 13 million. It is the capital of the province of Punjab where it is the largest ...

Pakistan Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 24 ...

.Bicycle pedals down memory lane in Pakistan
The Nation (newspaper), Published 20 April 2011, Retrieved 18 December 2018

History

The company began in 1952 with a core of traders in Lahore, following a foreign exchange crisis which severely restricted imports in Pakistan. The traders saw an opportunity to domestically produce and sell bicycles, and consequently founded Sohrab on 8 September 1953 under ''Section 9'' of the ''Co-operative Societies Act II of 1912''. It initially had 22 members and produced 5 bicycles a day. It now has 228 members and produces approximately 2000 bicycles a day.

Structure

Sohrab was setup keeping its workers in mind. All controlling powers of the company lay with the general body, who are elected into power every 3 years. Since its inception, elections have been held on a regular basis. Sohrab continues to maintain its social principles with a subsidized workers canteen and company hospital. It also pays for five of its workers to attend the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca each year.

Products

Sohrab initially manufactured a single-speed roadster bicycle. This had a lugged steel frame and rod-brakes. This bicycle is still in production more than 50 years later. More modern MTB and BMX style bicycles were added to the range in the 1990s. Sohrab have also diversified into producing cargo-tricycles, gymnasium equipment, push-chairs and wheelchairs. The latter are sold at

cost price In retail systems, the cost price represents the specific value that represents unit price purchased. This value is used as a key factor in determining Profit (accounting), profitability, and in some stock market theories it is used in establishi ...

. In 1994, Sohrab entered the motorcycle market with the JS70. A larger version of this was later used as the basis for an

auto-rickshaw An auto rickshaw is a motorized version of the pulled rickshaw or cycle rickshaw. Most have three wheels and do not tilt. They are known by many terms in various countries including auto, auto rickshaw, baby taxi, mototaxi, pigeon, jonnybee, bajaj ...

Markets

Sohrab’s primary market is in mainly remote and rural population areas of Pakistan where the motorbikes and cars are still not affordable to some people. A few big city people ride the bicycles on the city streets for exercise and have formed bicycling clubs for themselves. Major export markets have also been established in

Afghanistan Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,; prs, امارت اسلامی افغانستان is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Referred to as the Heart of Asia, it is bord ...

and

Bangladesh Bangladesh (}, ), officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by population, eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 165 million pe ...

. Sohrab wheelchairs are also distributed in

Madagascar Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( mg, Repoblikan'i Madagasikara, links=no, ; french: République de Madagascar), is an island country in the Indian Ocean, approximately off the coast of East Africa ...

through a French

rotary club Rotary International is one of the largest service organizations in the world. Its stated mission is to "provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through hefellowship of business, prof ...

References

External links

Official Sohrab Cycles website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sohrab Cycles Cycle manufacturers of Pakistan Motorcycle manufacturers of Pakistan Manufacturing companies based in Lahore Cooperatives in Pakistan Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1952 Pakistani brands Pakistani companies established in 1952