BIC history

The first BIC® ballpoint
In 1945 Marcel BICH (1914-1994) started working with Edouard BUFFARD (1908-1996), manufacturing parts for fountain pens in a factory in Clichy, just outside of Paris. During this period, Marcel BICH realized the enormous potential for the ballpoint pen. Subsequently, he adapted and improved a process for making ballpoints invented by the Hungarian Laszlo BIRO and in December 1950, launched his own ballpoint pen in France under the BIC® brand, a shortened and more memorable version of his own name. The high quality and affordable price of the BIC® Cristal® meant that it was quickly adopted by an increasing number of consumers.
Marcel Bich, founder of Société BIC

GEOGRAPHICAL EXPANSION

Winning foreign markets
At an early stage, Marcel BICH began winning foreign markets by creating subsidiaries, taking over foreign companies, signing agreements with agents, and arranging licensing agreements with companies to produce parts of the BIC product. Between 1953 and 1957, BIC entered into the Belgian, Dutch, Swiss, Spanish and Austrian markets. BIC Italy was created in 1954 and BIC Brazil in 1956. In 1957, BIC acquired BIRO Swan in England, thereby moving into this key market and consequently the markets of Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. BIC began its conquest of the huge North American market in 1958 and in 1959, BIC entered the Scandinavian market. Throughout this time BIC also pursued its development in Africa and the Middle East. In 1995, BIC significantly strengthened its position in Eastern and Central Europe and in Asia in 1997. In 2009, BIC Group and Cello Group signed an agreement whereby BIC Group acquired 40% of Cello pens, number one for writing instruments in India.

PRODUCT DIVERSIFICATION

Stationery
The BIC® Cristal® ballpoint quickly revolutionized the writing habits of millions of consumers throughout the world. Not settling for just one model, BIC has always worked to develop other