Sohrab Cycles

{{Short description|Pakistani bicycle company}} {{Use Pakistani English|date=December 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}} {{Infobox company | name = Sohrab | native_name = {{langx|ur|سُہراب}} | romanized_name = ''Sohrāb'' | image = Sohrab bicycle.jpg | image_caption = 2012 Sohrab Roadster | type = Private | foundation = {{start date and age|1952}} | founder = | location_city = Lahore | location_country = Pakistan | locations = | area_served = {{unbulleted list| Pakistan| Bangladesh | Afghanistan }} | key_people = | industry = Bicycle manufacturing | products = | owner = Pakistan Cycle Industrial Co-Operative Society Limited | num_employees = | parent = | divisions = | subsid = | homepage = {{URL|http://sohrab-cycles.com/products_bicycles.php}} | footnotes = | intl = }}

'''Sohrab''' ({{langx|ur|سُہراب}}) was a Pakistani bicycle manufacturer based in Lahore.<ref name=TheNation>[https://nation.com.pk/20-Apr-2011/bicycle-pedals-down-memory-lane-in-pakistan Bicycle pedals down memory lane in Pakistan] The Nation (newspaper), Published 20 April 2011, Retrieved 18 December 2018</ref><ref name=About>{{cite web |author= |title= PAKISTAN CYCLE INDUSTRIAL CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD. |url=http://www.sohrab-cycles.com/aboutus.php |publisher=Sohrab Cycles |year=|accessdate=18 December 2018}}</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=LXFEi0fi_RsC&dq=sohrab+cycle+in+lahore&pg=PA29 Sohrab Cycle in Lahore] GoogleBooks website, Retrieved 18 December 2018</ref>

==History== Sohrab 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.<ref name=About/>

==Structure== Sohrab was setup keeping its workers in mind. All controlling powers of the company laid with the general body, who were elected into power every 3 years. Since its inception, elections were held on a regular basis. Sohrab provided subsidized workers canteen and company hospital. It also paid for five of its workers to attend the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca each year.<ref name=About/>

==Products== Sohrab initially manufactured a single-speed roadster bicycle. This had a lugged steel frame and rod-brakes. More modern MTB and BMX style bicycles were added to the range in the 1990s.<ref name=News>{{cite web |author= |title= News & Events |url=http://www.sohrab-cycles.com/news&events.php |publisher=Sohrab Cycles |year= |accessdate=18 December 2018}}</ref> Sohrab also diversified into producing cargo-tricycles, gymnasium equipment, push-chairs and wheelchairs.<ref name=About/> 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.<ref name=News/>

Sohrab's primary market was in mainly remote and rural population areas of Pakistan.<ref name=TheNation/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/813597 |title=Critical mass: Streets of Karachi|publisher= Dawn|date=24 January 2011|author=Nausheen Ishtiaq Jivani|accessdate=18 December 2018}}</ref> It also exported cycles to Afghanistan and Bangladesh and wheelchairs to Madagascar through a French rotary club.<ref name=Exports >{{cite web |author= |title=Exports |url=http://www.sohrab-cycles.com/exports.php|publisher=Sohrab Cycles |year= |accessdate=18 December 2018}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [http://www.sohrab-cycles.com/index.php Official Sohrab Cycles website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sohrab Cycles}} Category:Cycle manufacturers Category:Cycling in Pakistan Category:Manufacturing companies of Pakistan Category:Motorcycle manufacturers of Pakistan Category:Manufacturing companies based in Lahore Category:Cooperatives in Pakistan Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1952 Category:Pakistani brands Category:Pakistani companies established in 1952 Category:Privately held companies of Pakistan