Symbiosis Institute of International Business

EXIM Assignment on

Cricket Bats

Submission for the partial fulfillment of the semester work

Guided By:

Ms. Smita Santoki

Submitted by:

Ashfaque Husain Nagpurwala

PRN:13020241075

Cricket Bats

Product features/charactersitcs:

A cricket bat is a specialised piece of equipment used by batsmen in the sport of cricket to hit

the ball, typically consisting of a cane handle attached to a flat-fronted willow-wood blade. The

length of the bat may be no more than 38 inches (965 mm) and the width no more than 4.25

inches (108 mm).

Though bats made from high grade plastic are preferred for kids but our discussion will be

limited to the willow bats.

Traditional Indian cricket bats are wooden bats made in India, in the regions of Jammu and

Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and Rajasthan. In Kashmir it is made out of willow found in

northern India whereas trees like teak and saal wood are used in making these bats in north-

western region of country. Some bats made in Kashmir are of international standards and

are/were used by many national as well as international players.

The willow used in making these bats was brought in by the British, who ruled India, during the

1920s.[2]

These bats are not only popular in India, but also in Pakistan,Bangladesh and Sri

Lanka .The cost range of these bats is from a mere Rs.500 to Rs.10000. Generally considered to

be heavier than English willow bats, these bats are preferred by players of the sub-continent who

prefer the greater speed generated by these bats. Traditional methods are still used by the

industry established in Kashmir, combining traditional tools with modern technology.

Cricket bat manufacturers must stay within the rules. You will find that all brands stocked in

reputable specialist retailers will meet these rules. For your information, the MCC's (Marylebone

Cricket Club) Law 6 states the following:

Width and Length and weight - The bat shall be no more than 38 inches/96.5 cm in length.

The blade of the cricket bat shall be made solely of wood and shall not exceed 4 inches/10.8 cm

at the widest part. Weight preference is on the players wish.

Covering the Blade - The blade may be covered with material for protection, strengthening or

repair. Such material shall not exceed 1/16 inches/1.56 mm in thickness, and shall not be likely

to cause unacceptable damage to the ball.

In addition to materials and size specifications, you should also consider the following design

features when selecting cricket bats:

Covered or Uncovered Face

The uncovered look means that the grain of the cricket bat is showing, whereas the covered look

means that the blade of the bat is not immediately showing.

The Number of Grains on the Bat

The number of grains on a cricket bat is something that can be left to the discretion of the

individual. The number of grains will often differ from bat to bat. A cricket bat between 6 and 12

grains is a good indicator of quality willow.

Willow Grade

Grade1+[A]

highest quality, historically used for the manufacturer's sponsored players.

Grade1-G1[A]

top quality. Good straight grain structure and unbleached with minimal marking or

discolouration in the face.

Grade2-G2[B]

Unbleached with some irregular grain patterns and some blemishes/colouring across the

blade.

Grade3-G3[C]

Usually unbleached with irregular grain pattern and some marking and discolouration in

the blade.

Grade4-G4

Usually bleached and often non oil with a covering to the face of the bat.

A Natural Finish

This is similar to an uncovered face, with the willow not covered by an anti-scruff cover or face

tape. Most of the top-end bats offer this natural, traditional finish. Some of the lower grades of

willow maybe bleached to artificially replicate the colour of high-quality willow.

Handle size

Acronym Meaning

LH Long Handle

SH Short Handle

SSH Super Short Handle

H Harrow

Manufacturing of a Cricket bat

Materials Required

Cricket bats are carved from willow, which is a naturally fibrous wood. Each cricket bat

manufacturerwill seek to select the best woods for their products to ensure high standards and

overall product quality. The two types of willow used for bat making are English Willow and

Kashmir [Indian] Willow.

English Willow: This is a soft, fibrous timber. This type of willow is the preferred choice for the

majority of bat manufacturers due to its high performance effect when striking the ball.

Regardless of type however, willow will become damaged and prone to breakages over time.

The cricket bat can become scarred, bruised and dented due to the nature of the game and the

frequent high intense impacts of the ball hitting the cricket bat.

Kashmir Willow: Kashmir willow comes from India. This is largely utilised by cricket

bat manufacturers as a substitute for English Willow. The Kashmir willow is regarded as a

harder wood and in comparison to English willow does not have the same performance effect i.e.

a player will not experience the same "sweet spot" when striking the ball. Kashmir willow will

only be used for lower range and priced cricket bats. It is unlikely that a regular adult player,

playing at a reasonable standard would choose to use a Kashmir willow cricket bat.

Carbon Fibre - Some cricket bat manufacturers insert additional carbon fibre into the handle of

the cricket bat to make the bat feel lighter in the hands. The insertion of carbon fibre also allows

more power to be generated in shots and increases the shock absorption in the handle from high

impact balls.

Titanium - Due to recent technological advancements and innovations, this material is can be

inserted into the handle of cricket bats to add reinforcement and provide more power in the

hitting zone.

Once you have selected your material all you need to do is to follow a bunch of steps to convert

the willow into a bat.

The 1st step is to cut the willow bark into the specified length which is generally done by cross

cutting that is cutting the tree bark using a chain saw from the center.

Next as you have the base and the head, you need to fit in the handle

Now to get all the grains in place the next thing in line is to press the bat in a pre-casted die and

then we have to do the finishing, shaping and sanding, and finally the grading and labellingWe

have many different grades, each one suitable for a particular market. Here we have outlined

some details of the most popular.

Import / Export:

Cricket bat is usually manufactured and exported from India. Usually because of the material

types discussed above. The English willow is not found in India so the players who prefer graded

English willow bat import the same into the country. But a major contribution is of the domestic

use and export of cricket bat. Talking about the Kashmir willow bats the manufacturing and

exporting of bats is done in India majorly in Jammu and

Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and Rajasthan. After the manufacturing the export can be

done through any medium of transport but the exporters normally prefer air or sea route. The

Indian ports for the export of the cricket bats are summarized in the pie chart below.

The Pie chart shows the frequency of consignments booked and shipped from various ports. The

major portion of exports is from the port of Bombay which accounts to 96% of export quantity of

cricket bats

The 3 major countries where the Indian bats are exported are as under:

1. Sri Lanka

2. Australia

3. Japan

Some of the other countries which import cricket bats from India include Pakistan, china,

south Africa etc

The Major countries competing for the market of cricket bats include:

1. England: As the origin of willow trees in the Indian subcontinent is traced back to the

times when India was ruled by the british, and also the fact that the willow is cultivated in

the country and cricket is the national sport, the major competitor for the same is

England.

Banglore3%

Bombay42%Delhi

38%

Ludhiana7%

Madras10%

Export of Cricket Bats

2. Pakistan: some parts of Kashmir are occupied by Pakistan and as the place is good for

cultivation of willow, it happens to be the other big competitor.

Export promotion council

Sports Goods Export Promotion Council (SGEPC), a Government of India sponsored

organization is working for the promotion of India’s exports of sports goods and toys. Founded

in 1958, SGEPC represents all the leading manufacturers and exporters of sports goods and toys

in India.

Organization of SGEPC

SGEPC is managed by a Committee of Administration (COA), which consists of elected

representatives from the Indian industry and includes two Government representatives. The COA

is headed by the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman and the Regional Director

Chairman : Mr.J.K.Dadoo

Vice Chairman : Shri B.K. Kohli

Regional Director : Mr. Tilak Khinder

Executive Director : Mr. Tarun Dewan

Memorandum & Articles of Association

SGEPC’s Objectives

The one point objective of SGEPC is to promote exports of sports goods and toys from India.

SGEPC’s Activities

SGEPC’s range of activities include both that spur the industry’s performance on one hand and

those which helps to promote its presence internationally, on the other.

An Apex Industry Forum : SGEPC is a common platform for companies from all over the

country, with common interests, where they can meet to exchange views, decide on common

strategies for promotion and also wherefrom they can voice their concerns at both national and

international levels.

Trade Promotion Activities : SGEPC organizes trade promotion activities like Indian

participation in International Trade fairs, Visits of Business Delegations, Promotional campaigns

in international markets etc.

Dissemination of Information : SGEPC provides important information to the members on

market intelligence, standards & specifications, quality & design, and on any other issue which

may directly or indirectly affect the industry.

Link Between the Industry and the Indian Government: SGEPC is the direct link between the

industry and the Government whereby it provides feedback on industry’s requirements to the

Indian Government and also informs Government directives to the industry.

Export Statistics and Projections : SGEPC collects export data from its members, maintains a

statistical record of exports of sports goods and toys and evaluates its performance on an annual

basis.

Events 2013- 2014

Some of the recent trade fairs and exhibitions for the sports goods are summarized below

Sr.No. Event Sector Dates

1 Exhibition of Indian Sporting Goods & Toys

in LAC (Brazil, Argentina and Chile)

Sports Goods

and Toys October, 2013

2 Sports Source Asia 2013, Hong Kong Sports Goods 29

th – 31

st October,

2013

3 Hong Kong Toys and Game Fair 2014,

Hong Kong

Toys 6

th – 9

th January,

2014

4 ISPO 2014 Sports Goods 26th – 29th January,

2014

5 Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair,

Nurnberg, Germany

Toys 29

th January –

03rd

February, 2014

Ispo Fair 2013

Toy Fair 2013

Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair 2013

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

The Sports Goods Export Promotion Council (SGEPC) sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce

& Industry, Government of India, established in 1958, is dedicated to promote the exports of

Sports Goods & Toys from India. All the leading manufacturers and exporters of sports goods &

toys are SGEPC Members. The Council works for and offers the following benefits to its

members:

Authentication of Exporters: SGEPC records the annual export figures of all the exporters and

is a source for authenticated reliable data.

Promotion of Industry in Overseas events: Council promotes the entire Industry through :

India Pavilions in leading international fairs: SGEPC organizes participation and

forms an India Pavilion where its member exhibitors are provided with thematic stands as

per their individual requirements, at highly negotiated rates.

Buyer Seller Meets: SGEPC organizes BSMs in potential countries with the help of

Indian Missions and/or local marketing consultants.

Implementing, Processing & Disbursing Grants and Schemes of the Govt.:

MDA & MAI Grants for participation in overseas activities

Duty Credit Scrip (7% of exports) under Focus Product Scheme.

Duty Free import of notified raw materials for sports goods.

Overseas Business Enquiries: SGEPC circulates business enquires received directly or through

Indian Missions abroad and also provides buyers with the list of the exporters as solicited.

Communication and Publicity: The Council has various communication instruments catering

to its members, the Govt. as well as buyers which include:

Regular Circulars / Websites / Members Directory / Catalogues / Advertisements / Banners

Link between Industry and Government: SGEPC is a link between the Industry and the Govt.

whereby it channelizes assistance offered by the Government to the Industry. SGEPC also

provides feedback of the Industry to the Govt. for Policy formulation & fixation of incentives for

the industry.

Market Studies & Dissemination of Information: SGEPC undertakes specific market studies

and provides information on market intelligence, trends, related international news, etc. through

its communication channels and/or though Seminars and Workshops.

Export Statistics and Projections: for maintenance of records about exports of Sports Goods &

Toys as well as evaluation of performance on an annual basis.

Export Awards: Council provides recognition to leading exporters and also to entrepreneurs and

achievers.

Visa and Other Support to Members: Visa recommendation letters are provided to members

to facilitate their export promotion visits.

CONDITIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS

For membership of the Sports Goods Export Promotion Council:

New Delhi- 110 055.

1. The annual membership subscription for the first year is Rs 5,000/- plus an

admission fee of Rs.2,000/- + Service Tax which should be paid in Cash or

through Demand Draft only. From second year onwards, the membership fee will

be Rs.8000/- + Service Tax per annum

2. A photostat copy of Import & Export Code Number allotted by the concerned

office of the Joint/Dy Director General of Foreign Trade

3. UNDERTAKING:(On the letter-head of the applicant firm only)

a. We undertake to pay a subscription of Rs.8000/- + Service Tax per year or

as may be fixed by the Council from time to time on or before 30th April each

year.

b. We undertake to submit to the Council’s office our export progress

return/s regularly on monthly basis alongwith trade contribution thereon

@ 0.04% of F.O.B. Value of exports or as may be fixed by the Council from

time to time within 45 days of the close of every month against export

effected during the month including that for NIL exports during a particular

month/s. (Trade Contribution is 0.05% if submitted after 45 days.)

4. We also hereby undertake to submit a Chartered Accountant Certificate on his

letter-head with his seal, signatures and membership number, substantiating the

total FOB value of exports of Sports goods/other items effected by our

organisation including that for NIL exports during the year on or before 30th

April but not later than 30th June each year as also for financial year in which

registration is granted to us by the Council. We further undertake that the total

FOB value figures of exports authenticated by the Chartered Accountant will tally

with the export figures recorded by the Council on the strength of monthly export

figures submitted by our organisation to the Council’s office. This certificate will

be mailed to reach the Council’s Secretariat by 30th June each year. Non-

compliance by us of any of the covenant of this undertaking will entitle the

S.G.E.P.C. to remove our name from their Register of Membership and to inform

all concerned offices of the Govt. of India.

NOTE: All the above referred undertaking should be addressed to The Secretary,

Sports Goods Export Promotion Council, 1-E/6, Swami Ram Tirth Nagar, New

Delhi- 110 055.

5. Satisfactory Bank Confidential Report from the Bankers of the applicant firm

along with constitution of the firm (to be sent by the bank directly to the

Council’s office)

6. Letter of Authority duly completed for participation in the Council’s various

deliberations including its Annual General Meeting etc

7. TYPE OF EXPORTER:

(a) Manufacturer-Exporter.

(b) Merchant-Exporter.

(c) Merchant cum Manufacturer Exporter.

(d) Service Provider.

(e) Others

1. In case of Manufacturer-Exporter, the Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate

application must be accompanied with a Photostat copy of the registration

certificate issued by the General Manager, District Industries Centre, under whose

jurisdiction your organisation falls

8. Local sales turnover/Export of Sports Goods/Toys of previous financial year on

your letter head.

9. * Present Service Tax is @ 12.36 %

Article on export of cricket bats

WHENEVER a cricket World Cup is held, whether in India or abroad, the sale of the

sportrelated equipment goes up considerably -- not just within the country but exports too gets a

boost.

During the February- April World Cup, which culminated in Mahendra Singh Dhoni's boys

winning the trophy last year, cricket fever ran high across the country and it boosted sale of the

cricket equipment. The exports also shot up.

In the 2010- 11 financial year, the cricket protective equipment exported was worth `

43.93 crore -- a growth of ` 7.71 crore over the previous year, according to the Sports Goods

Export Promotion Council ( SGEPC), the body that coordinates between the manufacturers/

exporters of sports goods and the government.

The export of bats in 2010- 11 was worth ` 53.08 crore -- an increase of ` 4.18 crore over 2009-

10 -- and the export of cricket and hockey balls was worth ` 15.50 crore, which was ` 2.84 crore

more than the 2009- 10 figures.

Manish Mahajan, owner of Hans Raj Mahajan Worldwide and a member of SGEPC's committee

of administration, said the export of cricket bats and equipment always goes in a cycle.

" If the export goes up one year, it will be less the next year. So, the export went up last year -- a

World Cup year," he said. " Fans around the world are excited when the World Cup comes, so

the demand from different countries also goes up. It is like the fever that spreads during the IPL.

The demand is event- related." Even when the World Cup was held in the West Indies in 2007,

the export of cricket bats and accessories went up considerably. Interestingly, at the time the

increase was more than what was recorded last year.

In 2006- 07, bats worth ` 59.72 crore were exported, as against Rs 35.14 crore in 2005- 06 -- a

handsome increase of ` 24.58 crore. Significantly, bats constituted 11.73 per cent of the total

sports goods exported that year, second only to inflatable balls ( 31.93 per cent).

In the same period, cricket's protective equipment worth ` 47.10 crore were exported, as against

Rs 34.16 crore -- a rise of ` 12.94 crore.

And the corresponding figure for cricket and hockey balls was ` 12.04 crore, as against ` 8.64

crore in 2005- 06 -- a boost of ` 3.4 crore.

And, as the 2006- 07 figures show, the poor performance of the team does not necessarily mean

that sales of the equipments will be hit. India had a disastrous World Cup in the Caribbean,

losing their league match to Bangladesh and crashing out in the first round.

The figures for 2011- 12 have still not been declared. " The annual general body meeting of

SGEPC is held by September 30 every year. The last date for exporters/ manufacturers to submit

their export figures was June 30 and they are now being collated," SGEPC secretary

Tarun Dewan said.

BK Kohli, owner of the Jalandharbased Sports Specialists and vicechairman of SGEPC's

committee of administration, explained the dynamics of export of cricket equipment.

" The 2011 World Cup did help in the increase in export of cricket equipment. Also, most of the

players of the foreign teams went back home and spread the word around about the quality of

Indian made equipment," Kohli told M AIL T ODAY . " We in India make world class

equipment and almost all major cricket gear/ equipment manufacturers import from us and put

their seal on it before selling. Adidas, for instance, is selling equipment in India but it is made by

one of the established Indian manufacturers," he pointed out.

KC Anand, chairman- cum- managing director of Sanspareils Greenlands, one of the largest

cricket bat/ equipment manufacturers in the country, said that India enjoys the lion's share of the

world market. " The Englandbased Gunn & Moore ( G& M) is the only company that doesn't

import cricket bats from India.

But even there leg guards are made in India," Anand said

Webliography

http://www.cricketequipmentguide.co.uk/cricket-bats.htm

http://www.infodriveindia.com/products/cricket_bat.aspx

http://dir.indiamart.com/impcat/cricket-bat.html

http://www.cybex.in/HS-Codes/Leg-Pads-Bats-Cricket-Hs-Codes-95069920.aspx

http://hs.e-to-china.com/ks-Cricket+Bat-d_3-t_1.html

http://www.infodriveindia.com/indian-importers/cricket-bat-importers.aspx

http://www.zauba.com/import-cricket+bats-hs-code.html

http://www.sportsgoodsindia.org/BrowseExporters.aspx

http://www.cricketbats.com/senior-cricket-bats.asp

http://www.youtube.com/

www.cricketequipmentguide.co.uk/cricket-bats.htm

http://www.dreamcricket.com/dreamcricket/pavilion/buyingguide_Englishwillow_versus_kashm

irwillow.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricket_bat_industry_of_India

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/World+Cup+fever+shot+up+export+of+bats.-a0296183035