The story
Jalandhar's hand-tools trade began with forging smiths who made farm and carpentry tools for Punjab's villages. After Partition, the trade grew into a forging-and-machining cluster that exports spanners, pliers and vices. Most units are small forging and finishing shops linked through job work. Power cuts, old technology and competition from China closed many units after 2009.
In numbers
Over 200 units manufacture hand tools in the cluster, with a turnover of about ₹1,000 crore and about 60,000 direct employment.
Bureau of Energy Efficiency SIDHIEE — Jalandhar hand tools cluster profileJalandhar accounts for 60% of production of wrenches, wire cutters, pliers etc.; since 2009 about a third of hand tools companies in the city have shut shop.
Outlook Business — Innings over · 2014
Ways in for a newcomer
- Heat-treatment, plating and finishing job work for forging units
- Private-label tool kits for hardware retailers and e-commerce
- Export of specialist tools through merchant exporters
- Die and tool-room services for forging shops
Problems the cluster faces
- Power cuts of 4–6 hours a day were reported
- Competition from cheaper Chinese tools
- Outdated technology and poor infrastructure
- Difficult access to finance
Businesses to start here
Agricultural Implements, Cutlery and Hand Tools →Forging Blanks for Spur Gears →Tool Room for Sheet Metal Dies →Electrostatic Powder Coating Unit →Steel Measuring Tape Manufacturing →