Hesbee to develop models for Olympic shooters

Pioneers in the manufacture of shotguns in India, Chandigarh-based Hesbee Machine Tools is going to establish a semi-assembly line with an initial capacity to manufacture 1,000 air rifles and air pistols.

The company is also in the process of developing models in specialised pistols and guns for Olympic shooters.

"We will modernise and incorporate safety features in our air rifles, air pistols and shotguns for Olympic shooters. The imported weapon costs around Rs 50,000 and we will produce at Rs 15,000," said Surjit Singh Bhurjee, managing director, Hesbee Machine Tools.

Giving details about the new semi-assembly line, which would be operational by the end of 2006, Bhurjee said the machines had been imported and Rs 2 crore more would be invested.

"The erratic production of guns will be addressed with the expansion plans. Also we are working to export to the US and European markets," he added.

The company also has two other units manufacturing air guns as well as shotguns in the name of Hesbee Air Gun, Mohali and Hesbee and Co Mandi, Himachal Pradesh.

The Mandi unit was the first factory in independent India to get the gun license.

Currently it has a license to manufacture 1,000 shotguns.

The guns and pistols are tested at the Indian Ordinance Factory at Jabalpur, before they are released for sale in the market.

The guns are nitro-proof tested for strength of material action and its firing mechanism.

The shotguns manufactured by the company are priced at Rs 15,000 for single barrel and Rs 35,000 for double barrel and between Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000 for air guns and air pistols.

Running the business for the past 56 years, and with a network of 21 dealers across India, the small scale industry did a turnover of Rs 2 crore in 2004-05 and expect to touch Rs 5 crore this fiscal.

"If only the government could issue the license to the private sector to manufacture rifles, revolvers and pistols we would have been able to compete with the international players. Also, with the capacity to manufacture been frozen by the government of India since 1958 it is has been tough to survive in the industry," said Bhurjee while voicing his concern.