Partnerships in Focus: FC Sondhi
When Joe Root or Steve Smith step up to the crease with a New Balance blade, they carry the culmination of more than four decades of precision manufacturing and timber sourcing. Behind every New Balance bat used on the global stage is FC Sondhi & Co (India) Pvt Ltd, the sole manufacturer of New Balance cricket equipment worldwide.
From import pioneers to manufacturing giants
The origins of FC Sondhi & Co trace back to 1950, when Mr FC Sondhi, grandfather of current Managing Director Anurag Sondhi, founded Sondico UK to import ready-made sports goods from India into the British market. By 1961, the Indian operation established itself as an independent manufacturing entity, initially producing footballs before shifting focus to cricket. In 1967, Mr PC Sondhi, son of Mr FC Sondhi, returned to India to build a dedicated soft goods cricket manufacturing unit for Mitre Sports.
Today, under the leadership of Anurag Sondhi, FC Sondhi & Co. employs more than 375 skilled staff. Beyond their global manufacturing operation, FC Sondhi & Co (UK) Ltd and their international divisions serve as the official distributors for New Balance Cricket Equipment across India, the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
The JS Wright connection
FC Sondhi & Co branched into bat manufacture around 1980, initially crafting Kashmir Willow blades. Recognising the growing demand for premium English Willow, they transitioned to English timber by 1985, a move that marked the start of their ongoing relationship with JS Wright & Sons.
“Without doubt, we find JS Wright Willow the most consistent out of all UK suppliers in both drying and grading.”
— FC Sondhi & Co (India) Pvt Ltd.
Equipping the world’s best
From their state-of-the-art facilities, FC Sondhi & Co (India) Pvt Ltd crafts the equipment wielded by some of the biggest names in modern international cricket, including Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Mark Wood, Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, Glenn Phillips, and Mitchell Santner.
We are proud of our longstanding relationship with Anurag and the Sondhi family, ensuring some of world’s best players take to the field with the finest English Willow beneath their grip.
