1940 - 1949
1944
Marcel Bich and Édouard Buffard set up a business creating writing instrument parts.
Our History
Today, we bring simplicity and joy to everyday life
BIC began simply – with a vision and a pen. The goal was to create a product to answer a fundamental consumer need: a smooth, effortless writing tool. But what resulted was so much more: BIC democratized the art of writing and gave everyone the power of creative expression.
Today, we bring simplicity and joy to everyday life. Our ambition is to create a sense of ease and delight in the millions of moments that make up the human experience. It is this passion for bringing simplicity and joy to people all over the world that drives our team members each day. We reimagine everyday essentials, designing products that are part of every heart and home.
We believe we positively impact the world by offering sustainable solutions that respect the planet through smart design and the creation of products that last.
Over more than 75 years, BIC grew from humble beginnings to the simply iconic Brand we are today。
1950 - 1959
1950
Marcel Bich improves László Biró’s ballpoint design and launches his own pen under the BIC® brand.
1951
BIC establishes its presence in Belgium.
1953
Société BIC is created.
1954
BIC enters Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland and Spain.
1956
BIC launches the BIC® M10® retractable pen.
1957
BIC moves into Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
1958
BIC enters the North American market.
1959
BIC enters the Scandinavian market.
1960 - 1969
1960
BIC develops in Africa and the Middle East, selling products through local distributors.
1961
Raymond Savignac creates BIC’s iconic BIC Boy logo.
1965
BIC enters the Japanese market.
1969
BIC creates BIC Graphic, offering other brands a selection of products for use as advertising aids.
1970 - 1979
1970
BIC launches the BIC® 4-Colour™ pen.
1972
BIC is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange.
1973
BIC launches the first BIC® full-size pocket lighter with an adjustable flame. BIC begins manufacturing and distributing products in the Mexican market.
1975
BIC is the first brand to launch a one-piece razor.
1979
BIC acquires Conté®, a famous 200-year-old French brand of drawing and coloring products.
1980 - 1989
1981
After acquiring Tabur Marine, BIC begins manufacturing and selling water sports products under the BIC Sport brand.
1990 - 1999
1991
To broaden its range of stationery products, BIC purchases Wite-Out®, a famous American brand of correction products.
1993
BIC launches BIC. Evolution®, a graphite and coloring pencil made with recycled materials. Bruno Bich assumes role as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
1995
BIC opens BIC Polska, followed in 1996 by BIC Russia and further expansion in Eastern Europe.
1997
BIC purchases the Tipp-Ex® brand, the leading European brand of correction products.
2000 - 2009
2001
The BIC® Cristal® pen enters the Museum of Modern Art of New York’s permanent collection.
2002
BIC launches a range of Multi-Purpose Lighters. BIC launches its sustainable development program.
2004
BIC acquires Stypen® and enters the school fountain pen market.
2006
The BIC® Cristal® pen, full-size pocket lighter and Classic Original and Classic Sensitive razors enter the permanent collection of the Musee National d’Art Moderne/Centre de création industrielle-Centre Georges Pompidou Paris.
2009
BIC enters the Indian stationery market by acquiring 40% of Cello, the number one brand of writing instruments in India.
2010 - 2019
2011
BIC partners with TerraCycle in Europe, a pioneer in collecting and reusing non-recyclable waste.
2012
BIC establishes a subsidiary in Dubai to manage Middle East operations and allow direct communication with customers and consumers.
2013
BIC opens a lighter facility in China, better positioning the business to supply the fast-growing Asian lighter market.
2015
BIC completes the acquisition of Cello in India.
2018
BIC enters the temporary tattoo market with the launch of BodyMark® By BIC® temporary tattoo markers in North America.
2019
BIC expands its Shaver product offerings with BIC® Made For YOU®, a North American range of unisex shavers, shave cream, face lotion and body lotion.
BIC completes divestiture of BIC Sport, its water sports subsidiary, to Tahe Outdoors.
2020 & beyond
2020
BIC expands its unisex grooming product portfolio with Us., featuring razors, shave cream, face lotion and body lotion.
2020
BIC launches BodyMark By BIC in European markets.
2020
BIC launches the BIC Kids coloring line of crayons, colored pencils and markers in the United States.
2020
BIC launches the EZ Reach lighter in the United States – with an extended wand, it is perfect for all lighting occassions.
2020
BIC acquires Djeep, strengthening leadership in branded pocket lighters.
2020
BIC acquires Rocketbook, entering the digital writing space.
2020
BIC acquires Inkbox, a brand of semi-permanent tattoos, strengthening its leadership in the skin art creation industry (Do-It-Yourself Skin Creative).
