The Journey of ATLAS

A man had a dream – to provide quality bicycles to his countrymen at reasonable prices. The man was Late Janki Das Kapur

The dream: ATLAS Cycles (Haryana) Ltd.

A modest beginning in an improvised shed at Sonepat. This was transformed into a 25 acre factory complex in a record period of 12 months.

In the very first year of operation 12,000 ATLAS Cycles rolled out of the plant. Soon, the first consignment of ATLAS Cycles was sent overseas. ATLAS has since then exported to over 35 countries.

By 1965, ATLAS had emerged as India's largest cycle manufacturer. Greater demand, higher production and ever-expanding markets made ATLAS a name to reckon with.

It was time for accolades. ATLAS was presented with the FICCI Award for 'Best Industrial Relations'. ATLAS' growing importance in the international arena did not go unnoticed either. Italy's Gold Mercury International Award was conferred on ATLAS. Subsequently, ATLAS also received the prestigious EEPC Award for export excellence for the year 198O-81 and several times later on.

The innovations and the constant quest for perfection continued. ATLAS Goldline was an instant success all over the country. Then came the fun fleet range of sports bikes which took the market by storm. The racer bike of international class, ATLAS Pro-10, was the new breed of cycles to roll out of the ATLAS plant.

The honour of being appointed official supplier of bicycles to the IXth Asiad, at Delhi, added another feather to ATLAS' cap. With growing demand for its products came the need for achieving self-sufficiency in specialized bicycle components.

To meet its entire steel tube requirements the ATLAS Steel Tube mill was set up at Gurgaon. Not only was dependence on external suppliers broken but stringent quality controls, synonymous with ATLAS, could be maintained.

To meet the entire requirement for steel tubes, ATLAS Steel Tube Industries was set up as a subsidiary unit in Gurgaon in 1983. This division was recently shifted to Bawal, District Rewari in 2006 for expansion purpose and re-setup on a sprawling 10 acre land. This unit built with Japanese collaboration is equipped with the latest machinery for mass production. ATLAS has achieved self-sufficiency even in the production of chains, chain wheels, hubs and more.

By producing the components at its own plants, ATLAS has not only ensured unhampered production and independence from external suppliers but it can also maintain the same strict quality standards that are applied to its bicycles.

The frontiers kept expanding. Over a span of time, large bicycle manufacturing plants were put up at Sahibabad and Gwalior respectively, which raised the production capacities to meet ever growing demand.

New expansions. New entrants. At ATLAS this is a process that never seems to stop. An ATLAS cycle to suit every individual taste and requirement. The promise of ATLAS. The dream of one man fifty years ago. The dream continues. To clock new records, new innovations, new ventures.