Ha-Ko Industries: From Road Rollers to Cricket Grounds — The Journey of a Made-in-India Powerhouse

In the heart of Mumbai’s Goregaon East stands a quiet but powerful player in Indian sports infrastructure — Ha-Ko Industries. Today, it is a trusted name in ground machinery and turf equipment, but few know the legacy and reinvention behind this homegrown brand. What started as a manufacturer of road construction machinery in the late 1970s has now transformed into one of India’s most innovative sports equipment companies.

The story began in 1978–79, when Harish Patel, the founder, established Ha-Ko with a vision to build world-class road construction equipment. The company made rollers, concrete mixers, and other civil engineering tools — and for over a decade, it ran smoothly. But the harsh reality of working with government contracts — delayed payments and financial instability — pushed Harish and his family to rethink their future. It was in 1990, after serious internal discussions, that the Patel family decided to diversify. And that one decision would eventually change the game — quite literally.

Ha-Ko entered the world of sports ground machinery and made its mark with both timing and vision. By the early 2000s, the brand had already begun innovating aggressively. In 2002, Ha-Ko introduced India’s first hydrostatic auto-gear ride-on roller, a machine that made pitch maintenance far more efficient for groundsmen across the country. That same year, they also launched their walk-behind roller — compact, easy to manoeuvre, and tailor-made for Indian grounds.

Around this time, an important global friendship added another dimension to Ha-Ko’s identity. In the UK, the iconic Bola bowling machine — founded by Michael Williams — had earned a cult following. The Patel family built a strong relationship with the Bola team and soon became the sole distributors of Bola bowling machines in India. To date, Ha-Ko continues to bring these high-performance machines to academies, associations, and even the BCCI, who count on them for consistent practice drills.

But the story doesn’t stop at distribution. Ha-Ko also began developing their own bowling machines under the brand “Gravity”, designed specifically for Indian conditions and affordability. What started with cricket has now expanded — today, they’re building machines for tennis, hockey, and fielding drills too. It’s innovation with a wide-angle lens.

By the 2010s, Ha-Ko expanded further into turf care equipment — launching lawn mowers, ride-on lawn tractors, grass strippers, and aerators, with both petrol and electric variants. Their Aqua Soaker machine — a desi version of Australia’s “Super Sopper” — solved a major issue for Indian grounds: waterlogging. While the Aussie machine retails upwards of ₹50 lakh, Ha-Ko’s Indian adaptation starts at a much more accessible ₹15 lakh, giving domestic sports bodies a powerful alternative without breaking the bank.

One of their biggest game-changers, however, came in recent years — the EV Pitch Roller. Fully battery-operated, completely noiseless, and incredibly easy to handle, this machine is now a favorite among state associations and even the BCCI. Ha-Ko’s “Tiger” series, particularly the 1–1.5 ton EV ride-on combo roller, has quietly revolutionized pitch preparation with green energy and zero emissions. And yes, the name Ha-Ko itself is a tribute to Harish and his wife Kokila, the original founders. Family and legacy run deep in the company’s DNA.

Under the leadership of Pritesh Patel, Harish’s son, Ha-Ko has stayed grounded despite its success. “We accept failures,” Pritesh says candidly. “We are always open to complaints and feedback. The idea is to solve problems — not take them on the ego.” This mindset — of building, listening, adapting — has earned Ha-Ko not just a spot in domestic circuits, but even international exposure. In the USA, Major League Cricket (MLC) trusted Ha-Ko to supply all major ground equipment — a proud Made-in-India moment for the company.

As we speak, Ha-Ko is doubling down on its EV product line, with a focus on sustainability, performance, and affordability. From generators to pitch rollers, bowling machines to lawn mowers, the brand has become an essential part of Indian cricket’s backstage — the silent worker behind the scenes of every smooth pitch and sharp practice session.

In an industry where consistency is everything, Ha-Ko Industries has built its name not just on machinery, but on trust, humility, and the hunger to improve. From road rollers to rolling out India’s future cricketing dreams — this is one brand that has truly come full circle.