Unforgotten Brands: Hawkins

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𝐔𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬: 𝐇𝐚𝐰𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐬

❇️The Early Spark: H.D. Vasudeva’s Vision

The roots of Hawkins trace back to 1959, when H.D. Vasudeva, rebuilding life after the Partition of India, launched a company named Pressure Cookers and Appliances Ltd.


Armed with a modest capital of ₹20,000 and years of wisdom, Vasudeva formed a technical collaboration with L.G. Hawkins & Co. Ltd. of England, a company with a pedigree in home appliances dating back to 1913.


For Vasudeva, who was already in his 50s, this wasn’t just a business—it was a second chance at life and legacy.


❇️From England to India: The Hawkins Collaboration

L.G. Hawkins was a well-established name in Britain, eventually being absorbed into larger corporate entities, such as Pye Ltd., and later, Philips. The rapidly consolidating world eventually phased out L.G. Hawkins' minor domestic appliances division in the late 1990s.


But in India, the Hawkins name took on a life of its own.


By 1986, the Indian partner—then known as Pressure Cookers and Appliances Ltd.—acquired the Hawkins Universal trademark and rebranded itself as Hawkins Cookers Ltd., indicating full ownership of both the product and its identity.


❇️Product Innovation with Purpose

One of Hawkins’ most celebrated innovations was its inside-fitting lid design—a subtle but powerful safety feature.


The Hawkins design significantly reduced the risk of accidents by preventing the cooker from opening while the pressure was still high, unlike traditional cookers. It was a thoughtful nod to both engineering excellence and user safety, a philosophy that would underpin all future designs.


Additionally, each cooker was pressure-tested for leaks and featured a superior pressure-regulating system, ensuring faster cooking, which the Indian consumer deeply appreciated.


❇️The Rise of an Indian Giant

From its first few units sold in the late ’50s, Hawkins quickly grew into a trusted household name. It launched exports in 1974 and eventually spread its footprint to all six continents.


Today, the company operates three manufacturing facilities and two major offices, employing around 700 people and having sold over 105 million cookers and cookware products worldwide.


Changing of the Guard: From Father to Son

H.D. Vasudeva, who had led the company for 25 years, stepped down in 1984 and handed the reins to his son, Brahm Vasudeva, who had joined the company in 1968.


Brahm brought modern management ideas while retaining the brand’s core ethos. Under his leadership as Chairman and CEO, the company strengthened its market position, diversified its product range, and emphasised research-driven innovation.


In 2006, on the eve of his 70th birthday, Brahm Vasudeva retired from executive duties, becoming the Non-Executive Chairman and Advisor, leaving behind a legacy of responsible, forward-thinking leadership.


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Unforgotten Brands: Hawkins

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