Royal Enfield
— “Wanna be a cool guy in your college, just own a RE.”
Founder: Albert Eadie
CEO: Siddhartha Lal
Networth: $220 Million
Founded : 1955 as Enfield India
Production output: 666,493
Tagline : the oldest global motorcycle brand in continuous production, Since 1901”.
Brief
A Motorcycle company started in Redditch , UK in 1901 which Came all the way to India partner with Madras Motors to sell Bullet Bikes for the Indian Army.
About
Owning a Bullet is not just for transportation but it's more of a legacy and a lifelong Romance. It give the rider a Thundering Roar and a thrilling ride experience . This legendary bike, which is more than 60 years old, is one of the oldest motorcycles which is still under production.
Introduction
It was the year 1851, when a man called George Townsend ended his needle making mill and named it ‘Girvy Works’. Later his son George Jr. & his brother brought one of the first ‘boneshakers’ — a crude cycle to the Girvy Works. In 1880, they entered into the bicycle parts trade and then slowly moved on to produce bicycle by themselves. Over the next few years, they developed their own range of machines. Each of their bicycle was known for its sturdy frame, which all Enfield bikes followed later on.
These bikes which were originally manufactured in UK but then had its venture all the way to India when a company called Madras Motors partnered with the Redditch company to make army bikes for the Indian army. Then the companies Indian market took over and now Royal Enfield currently sells motorcycles in more than 50 countries. Royal Enfield surpassed Harley-Davidson in global sales in 2015.
Timeline and chronology
In 1901, The first Royal Enfield motorcycle is produced. Designed by R. W. Smith and Frenchman Jules Gotiet, it has a 1.5 HP Minerva engine mounted in front of the steering head. The final drive is at the rear wheel by means of a long rawhide belt.Enfield Manufacturing Ltd. becomes Royal Enfield — ‘Royal’ being taken from the Royal Small Arms Company. The trademark ‘Made like a gun’ is introduced.
In 1932, The legendary “Bullet” motorcycle is born. It is first displayed in November 1932 at the important Earls Court Motorcycle Show in London. Three versions: 250, 350 and 500cc are available, all with inclined ‘sloper’ engines, twin-ported cylinder heads, foot operated gear shift and high compression pistons.
During the World War I & II, it was extensively used for carrying machine guns . In 1924, the company launched its first 4 stroke motorbike with 350cc engine. Later in 1928, Royal Enfield became the first company to adopt saddle tanks and center spring girder front forks. The company produced several bikes in the next decade, featuring from two stroke engine to 1140 cc V twin. The first 4 valve, single cylinder motorbike was introduced in 1931 followed by their first Bullet in 1932 with an inclined engine and an exposed valve gear.
Started in the year 1955, When the Indian government looked for a suitable motorcycle for its police and army, for patrolling the country’s border, the Royal Enfield Bullet was chosen as the most suitable bike for the job.
The government ordered 800 units of the 350 cc model.In 1955, the Redditch company partnered with Madras Motors in India to form ‘Enfield India’ to assemble, under licence, the 350 cc Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle in Chennai. Work commences on the construction of a purpose-built factory at Tiruvottiyur, near Madras.
In 1990, Royal Enfield collaborated with the Eicher Group, an automotive company in India that makes Tractors and commercials vehicles ,and merged with it in 1994.
40 Royal Enfield motorcycles tour Khardung La, the world’s highest motorable pass, setting a precedent for epic rides in some of the world’s most difficult terrain in the year 1997.
The company after launching new models like Thunderbird and classic, it celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2005 .
during 2011,The company launches its first annual ‘One Ride’, where all Royal Enfield riders across the world are encouraged to go for a ride on the first Sunday in April. Royal Enfield acquires 50 acres of land at Oragadam near Chennai for its new plant. A factory organised trip crosses the border with ‘Tour of Nepal’.
By the end of 2013,Royal Enfield commences manufacturing at its second facility at Oragadam, Tamil Nadu on the strength of increased demand for its motorcycles. With increased capacity, the state-of-art factory will be the nucleus of the company’s global ambitions in the future.The original factory at Tiruvottiyur became secondary, and continues to produce engines and some motorcycle models.
In 2014 Royal Enfield appointed Pierre Terblanche as the head of new product design.
Royal Enfield announced its first takeover of another company in May, 2015 with the purchase of a UK motorcycle design and manufacturing firm, Harris Performance Products, that had previously developed the chassis of the Royal Enfield Continental GT Cafe Racer.
2016,Royal Enfield debuts the Himalayan. With the all-new LS410 engine and terrain-tested suspension, it promises the ride of a lifetime on all roads and no roads.
By the end of 2017,Royal Enfield commences production from its third manufacturing facility at Vallam, near Chennai. Also Royal Enfield unveils ‘The Twins’ at the EICMA Motor Show, Milan and at Rider Mania, Goa, India.
Summarize
Thus , This is the success story of The legendary Motorcycle Royal Enfield which created a Revolution in the MotorBike industry and still remains to be a masterpiece for Bike production to carry forward its name as “the oldest global motorcycle brand in continuous production”.
About Me
Hope This has Inspired You. I am Krishna Raghav, and I keep writing blogs about startups . So, If you want me to write a blog about any particular Company you want to know more about, do write it in the comment box below.
Thanks for reading !