The Origin, The Rare & Untold Legacy of Raiders Enterprises Since 1888

A 130-year Saga of Courage, 
A Legacy of Survival, Rebirth in Sialkot
By 1980, Raiders became one of Pakistan’s first world class football manufacturers, partnered with Saga Sports

THE HERITAGE OF RAIDERS ENTERPRISES

The roots of Raiders Enterprises reach deep into the soil of Sialkot, where the father of Mehar Chugatha was born. Generations earlier, the family had moved to Uttar Pradesh, India, when the grandfather received a modest government job as a gardener a humble beginning for a dynasty destined to build one of South Asia’s most enduring manufacturing legacies.

Origins of Master Craft (1888–1895)

Between 1874 and 1875, young Mehar Chugatha started worked under a famous Scottish–British polo player who owned a renowned leather factory in Kanpur, India. Under this strict master, Chugatha perfected the rare arts of leather crafting, precise stitching, tooling, saddlery, and military-grade finishing.

After working long days at the factory, he secretly worked at home on the rooftop at night, crafting shoes, covers, saddles, and custom leather items by lantern light. This secret rooftop workshop, started in 1888, became the true beginning of Raiders Enterprises.

The First Shop (1903)

After 21 years of relentless work, Chugatha opened his first shop in Kanpur in 1903 despite strong opposition, discrimination, and economic pressure from Hindu shopkeepers who wanted to block Muslim craftsmen.

Despite this hostility, customers especially British military officers and polo players visited his shop for custom-made leather items, including i.e Rifle covers, Saddlebags, Wallets, Shoes, Belts and more other item.

His Only son, Mehar Natho, then chose a daring new identity for the family business
“Raiders.”
People mocked the name, called it unlucky, and predicted failure but the family kept it, knowing greatness requires courage.

Small shop to Tannery Expansion (1912–1915)

the business crossed a major milestone in 1915:
he expanded into a fully owned tannery unit, transitioning from a small workshop to a full-scale manufacturing operation.

What the Tannery Produced (1915 onwards):

  • Military saddles

  • Riding & cavalry gloves

  • Leather boots

  • Rifle & equipment covers

  • High-grade leather sheets

  • Custom retail leather goods

This tannery marked Raiders’ evolution from a shop to a true leather manufacturing enterprise, supplying both civilian and army markets.

The Era of Mehar Natho (1921–1939)

After Chugatha’s death in 1921, his only son Mehar Natho expanded the tannery’s capacity further and strengthened the brand name “Raiders.” Under his leadership, Raiders supplied British cavalry posts, officers, and local merchants.

By 1939, due to declining health, he passed the business to Haji Mehar Rehmat Ali ( Al mashoor Tara-Poriya ) Nick name( Mind reader/Sage ) .

Partition, Loss & Rebirth (1946–1955)

Natho passed in 1946, just before the horrors of Partition.
During 1947, Muslim businesses were destroyed and families persecuted.
Haji Mehar Rehmat Ali fled Kanpur with his family, leaving everything behind.

After briefly living in Bajwat, Sialkot as a farmer, he moved to the city with his son:

Haji Muhammad Sadeeq ( Al-Mashoor Chamray Waly )

A graduate in Leather & Chemical Sciences, and a respected homeopathic physician.
He restored Raiders Enterprises in Sialkot, fulfilling his father’s last wish.

Retail Leather Trading Expansion

A new chapter began between 1961 and 1969, when the next generation started retail leather selling across regional trade routes:

  • Karachi → Sialkot

  • Kasur → Sialkot

This period developed our experience in leather sourcing, quality grading, supply chains, and wholesale distribution.

Start of Leather Manufacturing in Sialkot (1969)

In 1969, after years in leather trading, the family formally established leather manufacturing and leather goods production in Sialkot.

New product lines added in this era:

  • Footballs & soccer balls

  • Goalkeeper gloves

  • Leather training equipment

This expansion positioned the company for collaborations with Sialkot’s rising sports brands.

Collaboration With Major Sialkot Companies (1970s)

Through the 1970s, we produced for and collaborated with leading companies including:

  • Rajax

  • Green Hill Corp

  • Classico Sports

  • OK Sports

  • And several other prominent Sialkot manufacturers

These partnerships strengthened our expertise in global standard sporting goods.

Quality Control Revolution With Saga (1979–1980)

With the passing of Haji Rehmat Ali in 1979, the business faced a turning point but also a breakthrough.

In 1979–1980, Raiders collaborated with Saga, introducing:

  • International-level quality control systems

  • World-class football and ball manufacturing standards

  • A formal R&D department

  • 1980: Raiders launched its sportswear division through R&D expansion.

  • 1983: Raiders entered the motorcycle racing suits & protective gear sector, quickly gaining recognition for durability, stitching quality, and safety engineering.

This collaboration helped establish Pakistan’s early global reputation for high-performance footballs and gloves.

Official Registration & Export Independence (1990)

On 8 August 1990, Raiders Enterprises was officially registered, allowing the company to begin:

  • Direct exports

  • Private-label manufacturing

  • International brand partnerships

This year marks the beginning of Raiders as a fully independent global manufacturer.

In 2012, Raiders Enterprises took a historic step by opening its first international office in the United Arab Emirates, marking our entry into the global export market with greater reach, direct client engagement, and worldwide private-label production. This expansion established Raiders as a recognized international manufacturer of sportswear, sporting goods, leather items, and advanced protective gear.

However, this era of growth was followed by one of the greatest losses in our history. In 2019, we lost Mian Muhammad Majeed, the visionary leader whose discipline, skill, and unmatched experience shaped the modern identity of Raiders Enterprises. He passed away due to a sudden medical rupture (“due to blood pressure or By Covid-19 ”), leaving behind a legacy of innovation, craftsmanship, and global reputation.

After his passing, the leadership and responsibility of the company transitioned to Mian Muhammad Awais, who continues to carry forward the heritage, expanding Raiders Enterprises into a new era of international excellence.

Today: A Legendary 130-Year Dynasty

From a rooftop in 1888…
From colonial-era discrimination…
From the fires of Partition…
From rebuilding in Sialkot…
From leather to global sports engineering…
From Sialkot to Las Vegas…

Raiders Enterprises stands today as one of the oldest, most resilient, and most respected manufacturing legacies to rise from the Subcontinent.

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