Inside Sidoarjo’s Shuttlecock Industry: 13 Years of Quality and Hopes for Raw Material Independence
- Greatchemindo Satria Putramas
- Feb 11
- 3 min read
Sidoarjo – Badminton is more than just a sport of prestige for Indonesia; it is a driver of the people's economy. Behind the thunderous applause of international tournaments lie the skilled hands of local craftsmen ensuring the availability of high-quality shuttlecocks. One of these bustling production hubs is located in Sidoarjo, East Java.
In an in-depth interview with the C'ketz Manufacture team, Pak Atok, a local shuttlecock entrepreneur, shared the story of his 13-year journey building a business from scratch to producing hundreds of tubes per day.
From Market Research to Independent Manufacturer
Unlike many other craftsmen who inherit family businesses, Pak Atok started his venture with a unique approach: market research first.
"I didn't start with production immediately. I went to the market first to gauge the interest in the product," revealed Pak Atok.
Initially, he purchased semi-finished shuttlecocks, labeled them himself, and placed them in shops on consignment. Only after the market was established and demand stabilized did he venture into independent production. His main reason for choosing this business was simple yet strategic: shuttlecocks are consumable goods (high repeat orders), and the production process generates almost zero waste.
Maintaining Quality Amidst Economic Challengesi
Currently, Pak Atok's home industry is capable of producing an average of 200 to 300 tubes (slops) of ready-to-ship shuttlecocks daily. Although demand fluctuates—usually peaking in August during the tournament season—his business remains resilient even when the broader economy is sluggish.
According to him, the key to survival in this industry is balancing quality and price. "Number one is definitely quality, number two is quantity, and number three is a competitive price," he explained.
The quality standard he upholds firmly is durability. Consumers want shuttlecocks that last, so they don't have to overspend while playing. To meet this standard, he is meticulous in his selection of raw materials.
The Challenge of Imported Raw Materials
Ironically, even though Indonesia is a badminton nation, the primary raw materials for high-quality shuttlecocks still rely heavily on imports.
Feathers: Pak Atok uses imported feathers from China, specifically grade A1 or B1. He seeks "mature" and "full" feathers because they are harder and possess a natural shine, ensuring the shuttlecock doesn't collapse and is more durable when struck.
Cork (Head): The head of the shuttlecock uses EVA sponge, which is also imported from China.
Adhesive: For assembly, he uses a local product, C'ketz K-POXY Clear 21. He notes that this glue has simple mixing components, strong bonding results, and a competitive price.
Empowering the Local Community
This industry also brings a positive impact to the surrounding environment. Pak Atok prioritizes local residents as his workforce. Uniquely, he applies a humane training system: prospective workers are trained, and they still receive a salary during this training period.
"An entrepreneur's hope is simple: to be beneficial to the surrounding environment and to create new jobs," he stated.
Hopes for the Government
Closing the interview, Pak Atok expressed his high hopes for the government. He wishes for more attention to be given to small entrepreneurs, especially regarding the procurement of local raw materials.
"We really need local materials. Ideally, it should be encouraged so that local materials become available later on," he hoped.
Dependence on imported raw materials remains a distinct challenge, and national raw material independence would certainly be a breath of fresh air for the country's shuttlecock industry in the future.
Source: Video "Industri Shuttlecock di Sidoarjo meningkatkan peran memajukan olahraga kebanggaan bangsa" – Watch the Full Video Here
Comments