India's Bicycle Economy
Hero Cycles: From Ludhiana to the World
How the Munjal brothers founded Hero Cycles in 1956, grew it into the world's largest bicycle maker by volume, and later partnered with Honda to create Hero Honda.
Hero Cycles is one of India’s great business stories.
Founding
The Munjal brothers, who moved from Kamalia (now in Pakistan), started making parts and founded Hero Cycles in 1956.
Growth
Hero entered the Guinness Book as the world’s largest bicycle maker by volume in 1986.
Supplier model
Hero worked closely with local suppliers, sharing profits and support.
Hero Honda
In 1984, Hero partnered with Honda to make motorbikes; the joint venture ended in 2011, and Hero MotoCorp continued.
Family split
The Munjal family split businesses among branches.
In 1986, Hero produced more bicycles than any other company in the world.
It started with bicycles.
- The Munjals founded Hero Cycles in 1956.
- It became the largest bicycle maker in 1986.
- Hero partnered with Honda in 1984.
- Hero MotoCorp continued after 2011.
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