Founders Series: From Bicycle Parts To A Two-Wheeler Empire, The Story Of Hero Founder Brijmohan Lall Munjal

Ever since India took the creative initiatives into its own hands, it has been home to some of the biggest names and business ideas around the world. Tata Group, Reliance Industries, Infosys, Adani and Hero MotoCorp are a few out of many big brands that trade on global levels.

These giants have bigger names behind them. The stories always begin as smaller two-line ideas. These two-line simple ideas are the big hoardings that are worth multi-dollars today.

Welcome to our Founders Series, where we explore the people, ideas, struggles and decisions that helped build India's biggest companies.

Today, we look at the remarkable journey of Dr. Brijmohan Lall Munjal. He is the visionary entrepreneur who helped build the Hero Group from humble beginnings into one of India's most recognised business names.

Who Was Dr. Brijmohan Lall Munjal?

We are going to read about the most iconic two-wheeler of our childhood, that still is relevant in the market today. Back in time, when Hero was not even on the plate, it was a small vision and dream of Dr. Brijmohan Lall Munjal. He was said to be one of the most influential industrialists. He was the founder of the HERO Group, the name which was just an idea.

He was born on July 1 in 1923, at a small village, Kamalia. After independence and later in Pakistan. Dr. Brijmohan’s journey was shaped by hard work, dedication, a plan according to the situation and excellent entrepreneurship skills. After Partition, Munjal came and settled in Ludhiana. After which, they entered the bicycle component business.

This was the beginning of the revolutionary Hero Motors. The idea of small bicycle parts eventually became one of India’s biggest business success stories. Dr. Brijmohan’s story is an inspirational story that will impart skills and knowledge to upcoming students.

From Bicycle Parts to a Two-Wheeler Empire: How the Munjals Built the Hero Empire

The story of Hero began with the bicycle component before becoming the big brand of bikes and global two-wheeler powerhouse. This business was not just about Dr. Brijmohan, but him and his four brothers. All the four brothers built their business step by step, and established Hero Cycles in 1956. Despite being decades old, I remember my first bicycle was a Hero Ladybird.

A major turning point came in 1984, when Hero partnered with Honda to create Hero Honda, transforming India’s motorcycle industry.

• Munjal Brothers: Dayanand, Satyanand, Brijmohan Lall and Om Prakash Munjal built the business together.
• Early Business: The family initially traded bicycle components before entering manufacturing.
• Hero Cycles: Established in Ludhiana in 1956 and later became one of the world’s largest bicycle manufacturers.
• 1986 Milestone: Hero Cycles entered the Guinness Book of World Records for its production achievements.
• Hero Honda: In 1984, Hero partnered with Japanese automobile company Honda.
• Industry Impact: Hero Honda helped popularise fuel-efficient motorcycles among Indian consumers.
• Hero MotoCorp: Hero Honda later became Hero MotoCorp and expanded into motorcycles, scooters, electric vehicles and global markets.

Today, the Hero legacy continues under different parts of the Munjal family. Hero MotoCorp is led by Pawan Munjal as Executive Chairman. While Hero Motors is headed by Pankaj Munjal. The businesses operate independently, carrying forward the entrepreneurial vision of Dr. Brijmohan Lall Munjal in different sectors.

Hero MotoCorp: More Than Motorcycles

Hero MotoCorp did not stop at making motorcycles. Over the years, it expanded its wheels of ambition into scooters, electric vehicles and modern mobility solutions. From everyday commuters to premium riders, Hero serves diverse needs while taking its two-wheeler legacy beyond Indian roads and into global markets. 

What Made Dr. Brijmohan Lall Munjal Different?

Dr. Brijmohan Lall Munjal believed that building a business meant building relationships too. According to the Hero Group's business philosophy, trust and relating to people were cornerstones of his approach. His focus on employees, suppliers, dealers and partners helped create strong relationships that supported Hero’s long-term growth and legacy.

“Trust and relating to people are the cornerstones of our business philosophy. In whatever we do, we try to keep our promises and with whoever we partner, we focus on the long term. Irrespective of what we do, we follow these two simple rules” 

 (Source: Hero Website)

The Hero Motors Legacy Continues

The Hero name may have started with bicycles, but its wheels are still running strongly today. Hero MotoCorp continues to strengthen its motorcycle and scooter portfolio business. It is expanding electric mobility through VIDA and growing its global presence. In FY2026, the company remained the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters for the 25th consecutive year.

Building on the rich legacy of the Munjal family, Hero Motors Ltd., led by Pankaj Munjal, is gearing up for its biggest stock market debut. The table below outlines the core financial details, subscription timelines, and key investment metrics for its upcoming ₹1,000-crore Initial Public Offering. 

Meanwhile, Hero Motors is making headlines for a different reason. The auto-components and advanced mobility company is preparing for its ₹1,000-crore IPO, opening on September 16, 2026. Its price band has been fixed at ₹79–₹84 per share.

Hero Motors IPO Key Details 

Hero Motors is now steering towards a major milestone with its ₹1,000-crore IPO. The issue will open on September 16 and close on September 18, 2026, with a price band of ₹79-₹84 per share. The IPO includes a fresh issue and an offer for sale, attracting investor attention. 

Dr. Brijmohan Lall Munjal’s journey is an exemplary example of how big businesses can start with small ideas. So from bicycle components to building the Hero Group, his story is a portrait painted with patience, hard work and determination. For students and young entrepreneurs, his biggest lesson is simple: start small, believe in your idea and keep moving.