Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Specialist Cricket Retailers => VKS => Topic started by: VKS on October 31, 2013, 10:23:11 AM

Title: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: VKS on October 31, 2013, 10:23:11 AM
A few photos here that were taken when we visited the SS factory a few months ago.

A very organised production facility, it's great to see how SS have invested so much into ensuring they are at the top of thier game.

The photos show just a small part of the set up, which is simply huge with 6 individual production halls.

We are due there again next month and should have some exciting new bats for 2014!
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: VKS on October 31, 2013, 10:31:29 AM
Sorry, I seem to be having some trouble in uploading the photos...need some help from the admin team I think!
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: VKS on October 31, 2013, 11:30:05 AM
Within the grounds of the new factory that was opened last year.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/31/teze8yqy.jpg)

Storage area 1
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/31/aquta5a3.jpg)

Another area for the storage of clefts
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/31/3u4eqeza.jpg)

One of the multiple production halls
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/31/qeby5uga.jpg)
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: VKS on October 31, 2013, 11:31:07 AM
Kashmir willow bats for the local market
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/31/vadequsu.jpg)

The photo says it all...
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/31/tevu4u9u.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/31/ry7yzy6e.jpg)
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: VKS on October 31, 2013, 11:45:55 AM
The bats selected were put to one side...

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/31/atajuvyj.jpg)

and finally look like this...

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/31/zavy7y9y.jpg)
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: tushar sehgal on October 31, 2013, 11:53:20 AM
Wow thats really nice setup, any more pics :)
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: VKS on October 31, 2013, 11:59:59 AM
Wow thats really nice setup, any more pics :)
Yes there are a few more, which I will upload shortly.
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: jamesisapayne on October 31, 2013, 12:18:39 PM
Great pics :-)

How many bats do they turn out a day? The numbers look huge!
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: Vic Nicholas on October 31, 2013, 12:37:28 PM
When I finally get over to India, one of the first things I will do is visit the SS factory to get a super doper custom bat made up by them.

Are they still based in Meerut?

BTW, the pics look superb.
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: VKS on October 31, 2013, 12:41:37 PM
Great pics :-)

How many bats do they turn out a day? The numbers look huge!
The Kasmir willow bat numbers are big, but with the English willow its still a slow and meticulous process with each bat still perfectly hand crafted.
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: VKS on October 31, 2013, 12:42:38 PM
When I finally get over to India, one of the first things I will do is visit the SS factory to get a super doper custom bat made up by them.

Are they still based in Meerut?

BTW, the pics look superb.
Yes still in meerut. If you want a custom made one, just PM me and I can organise one for you.
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: TangoWhiskey on October 31, 2013, 12:46:44 PM
That is awesome, how many clefts do they store on any given day?
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: VKS on October 31, 2013, 12:52:02 PM
That is awesome, how many clefts do they store on any given day?
I think that could be a good one for a future competition...thanks!
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: MD2812 on October 31, 2013, 01:06:17 PM
Wow, very impressive.

As someone who has posted on "why not Indian made bats" threads saying the working conditions put me off, this certainly makes me warm to the brand!

Did you notice if they waxed the end of their clefts? Or do they dry them out to get bigger bats?
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: TangoWhiskey on October 31, 2013, 01:09:30 PM
I think that could be a good one for a future competition...thanks!

No problem, but shotgun not doing the counting!
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: MD2812 on October 31, 2013, 01:12:50 PM
No problem, but shotgun not doing the counting!

I'll do it.....

One for SS
One for me
two for SS
two for me....

repeat


Well it appears there are 450 clefts here, don't know why your stock check says you should have 900  ;)
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: VKS on October 31, 2013, 05:47:40 PM
As promised here are a few more photos taken inside the new SS factory.

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/01/7y2uja2a.jpg)

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/01/ybyqysaz.jpg)

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/01/5apaharu.jpg)

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/01/egy3ejup.jpg)
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: jwebber86 on October 31, 2013, 07:29:01 PM
looks really cool and also that is a lot of bats. how many other storages areas do they have
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: Tom on October 31, 2013, 09:24:44 PM
So much better than the old place!
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: i12breakfree on October 31, 2013, 10:08:43 PM
thanks for the pics VKS
nice setup and looks like much better conditions for workers than what everyone has seen earlier here
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: VKS on October 31, 2013, 10:30:45 PM
It's an excellent factory that is spacious, well planned and a pleasure to visit.

The offices inside are very plush and there is even a room dedicated to many of the classic bats made by the likes of Gray-Nicolls, GM, Slazenger and Kookaburra. It's like a shrine to the bats from the last 25 years!
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: wasted_talent on November 04, 2013, 12:09:35 PM
The factory looks amazing. Well organised, lots of space and all relatively new too. A very impressive setup!
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: VKS on February 13, 2014, 04:43:03 PM
A new delivery of bats came in from Sareens last Friday including the Gladiator, Gold Edition, Silver Edition, Professional and Rampage models. These all include a good selection of bats in the Long Blade version which are always popular.

Please feel free to PM me for further details and specific requests.
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: arsenal123 on February 13, 2014, 04:59:15 PM
I certainly wouldn't work barefoot around that much wood! Splinter-ville.com!
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: procricket on February 13, 2014, 05:28:24 PM
Hopefully go there next year on my Indian Factfinding mission
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: FattusCattus on February 13, 2014, 07:56:59 PM
Where does the Rampage fit into the range - is it a lower grade model?

Also Mr VKS, which do you really prefer - the Ton branding or the SS branding?
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: VKS on February 13, 2014, 08:32:24 PM

Where does the Rampage fit into the range - is it a lower grade model?

Also Mr VKS, which do you really prefer - the Ton branding or the SS branding?
Yes the Rampage is where the range starts off and is priced at £99.99. Its actually a popular model for us and sells well.

Honestly speaking it would have been good to have been able to continue with the SS branding, but the Ton name is so well known that it's been a surprisingly smooth transition and the brand is just as strong.

We have done some new things with the branding of the new softs so watch this space ......
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: imperivm on February 16, 2014, 08:59:29 PM
That's pretty interesting.

I've been tempted to do a parody of SS cricket combined with the German SS but can never think of a REALLY funny way of combining them. One day...
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: tim2000s on February 16, 2014, 09:04:34 PM

Great pics :-)

How many bats do they turn out a day? The numbers look huge!
ou thinking t is so hard to get G1 bats from smaller UK brands now....?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: 13th Man on February 17, 2014, 11:52:56 AM
Yes still in meerut. If you want a custom made one, just PM me and I can organise one for you.
Did you visit any other suppliers in Meerut?
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: VKS on February 17, 2014, 12:16:20 PM
Did you visit any other suppliers in Meerut?

Meerut is home to many other cricket companies in India such as SG, Stanford and BDM so there are always others to meet and each trip you come back having learnt something new. What you see on the shelves, looks straightforward, but its an industry that keeps evolving and getting better in terms of new materials and procedures.
Title: Re: Inside the SS Bat Factory
Post by: shoab68 on February 17, 2014, 04:42:42 PM
Meerut is home to many other cricket companies in India such as SG, Stanford and BDM so there are always others to meet and each trip you come back having learnt something new. What you see on the shelves, looks straightforward, but its an industry that keeps evolving and getting better in terms of new materials and procedures.
Do SS allows anyone to visit their factory? If no then can you please guide us how to get permission, i am visiting Meerut around 25th Feb and very keen to visit them.