Steelbird has hired Massimo Varese, a helmet designer with over 25 years of experience, which include some big names in the automobile protective apparel/helmet business. Massimo has been associated with big companies like Dainese and AGV, Pastorfrigor, Nava and Omega in the past.

According to the release sent out by the Indian company, Varese will spearhead the Steelbird helmet production in India. Speaking about this move, Rajeev Kapur, MD, Steelbird said, “The appointment of Massimo Varese who comes with such a rich experience will be responsible for expansion of Steelbird helmet’s portfolio including design, development and production for domestic as well as global market.”

Massimo Varese said, “This is a great opportunity for me to apply my talent and expertise in the industry which is close to my heart. I am extremely excited to join Steelbird Helmet and to serve Asia’s largest helmet industry i.e. India.”

At present, the Indian helmet maker manufactures around four million helmets annually and has ambitious plans to increase that number to 10 million units by the end of 2020. This massive jump over just a two-year period may have something to do with the proposed upcoming (and very controversial) ISI regulations.