Page 23 - BOSS Today Issue 2

product focus

rom the iconic BIC® Cristal® This BIC value is clearly working; his own surname, which proved expectations. The pen with the
pens and Tipp-Ex® correction in 2009, BIC celebrated the 40th instantly catchy and memorable. distinctive transparent hexagonal
Fdispensers to highlighters anniversary of the 4 Colours™ pen He supported the launch with barrel has become the world’s
and whiteboard markers, BIC and the 50th anniversary of Tipp-Ex®. effective advertising; and its sales favourite ballpoint.
products can be found in millions of And next year will mark the 60th quickly surpassed even his own
desk drawers, stationery cupboards anniversary of the design classic, the
and briefcases. But where did it all BIC Cristal ballpoint pen. “BIC’s products are available
start?
In 1950, Marcel Bich introduced 40 Years of 4 Colours in more than 160 countries
the world to the first attractively- To celebrate 40 years of its iconic 4
priced high quality ballpoint pen Colours™ pen, BIC launched a funky worldwide”
– and BIC was born. Generations new limited edition of this popular
on, BIC is still a family-run business, favourite. With an apple green barrel,
although it now employs over and four cool new coloured inks
8,700 people and is one of the – violet, ocean blue, pink and acid
most recognised stationery brands green – the pen proved so popular
worldwide. that it is likely to be around for
Today, BIC’s products are available another 40 years. At a glance
in more than 160 countries. An
amazing 24 million* BIC stationery 50 Years of Tipp-ex ✱ ✱ BIC is the world’s number Art of New York (MOMA), at the
products are manufactured and sold In 1959, when Otto Carls launched one manufacturer of ballpoint Department of Architecture
across the globe every day. the first ever typewriter correction pens and a leader in stationery and Design.
Yolande de Trogoff, marketing tape, he couldn’t have known just products. ✱ In 2005, BIC sold its hundred
manager at BIC, says: “We continually how significant this innovation ✱ Each BIC® Cristal® ballpoint billionth ballpoint pen!
add innovations and product would become. Fifty years on, pen can write up to 2 – 3 km Yolande de Trogoff concludes:
development to ensure that they Tipp-Ex® is the number one ✱ 160 BIC® Cristal® ballpoint pens “I would like to thank all
remain relevant. For example, this correction brand in the UK. are sold every minute in the UK our partners, without whom
year, we launched BIC® ecolutions , ✱ All the BIC® ballpoint pens sold our growth over the past
TM
a range of affordable writing 60 years Of Bic Cristal since 1950 could draw a line to 60 years would been
A look back at a design icon instruments made from recycled After obtaining the patent rights the moon and back 270,000 impossible. I am confident that
plastics and water-based fluids to to a ball pen created by Hungarian times! with our mix of innovation,
meet the demand for sustainable inventor László Biro, Marcel Bich ✱ In 2002, the BIC® quality and value, and your
products. Like everything we make, introduced his own reliable, lower Cristal® ballpoint pen entered continued support, we will be
they are underpinned by our core priced version in December 1950: the permanent collections celebrating more anniversaries
value – to offer high quality at the BIC® Cristal® ballpoint pen. of the Museum of Modern for decades to come.”
affordable prices.” He gave it a shortened version of
*Basis: 220 days.
November/December 2009 | BOSS TODAY 23

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