What Maped does

Maped (Société par Actions Simplifiée MAPED) is a family-owned French manufacturer founded in 1947, headquartered in Argonay (France), that designs and produces school, writing, and office equipment as well as children's creative and portable food/beverage products. The company operates a multi-brand portfolio covering core stationery (pencil sharpeners, erasers, compasses, scissors, rulers, staplers) under the Maped name; coloring products (markers, colored pencils, wax crayons, paints) under Color'Peps; learning-focused school supplies under Kidy Learn; arts, crafts, and creative play under Maped Creativ; portable food and beverage containers (lunch boxes, insulated bags, stainless steel bottles) under Maped Picnik; and toys under the acquired Joustra brand (Juratoys, acquired October 2022 from Argos). Key proprietary technology includes the patented Color'Peps Infinity 100% lead self-sharpening colored pencil (lasting 10x longer than standard pencils), the Kidy Learn Magic rechargeable erasable pen with thermosensitive ink and ergonomic tripod grip, and the Lumi Board light-projection drawing machine; the company also holds FSC-C156374, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certifications at its three production sites (Maped SAS, Maped MOS, Maped Silco), where approximately 60% of products are manufactured.

Maped's business model is product-led growth with omnichannel distribution: revenue is generated through unit-priced one-time product sales (individual SKUs ranging from approximately €2.60 single pencils to €49.90 school-format sets) via direct-to-consumer e-commerce (fr.maped.com with PayPal/PayPlug payments and Colissimo fulfillment) and multi-channel retail distribution (large retail chains, specialized stationery, and toy stores). Refills and spare parts (pen cartridges, replacement lids, activity sheets, clay) represent a recurring-consumption tail to the model. The company markets across social platforms (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest), a content/blog hub (Mapiwee), and email newsletter capture (10% first-order incentive), targeting primary persona segments including primary school children, toddlers (age 1+), middle/high school students, parents/families, and adults/professionals. Geographic footprint spans approximately 19 countries across Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia with dedicated country websites; the CEO is Jacques-Antoine Lacroix.

Name

Maped

Legal name

Société par Actions Simplifiée MAPED

Website

https://fr.maped.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Maped is a family-owned French manufacturer, founded in 1947 and headquartered in Argonay, that designs school supplies, writing instruments, creative arts products, and children's portable food/beverage containers, selling through retail and D2C e-commerce in approximately 19 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

School and Office Stationery

NAICS

Stationery Product Manufacturing (32223), Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing (339940), Office Supplies and Stationery Retailers (459410)

SIC

Pens, Pencils & Other Artists' Materials (3950)

akta.pro primary industry

General Arts & Crafts Supplies Retail (CRALACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

School Supplies Retail (CRALABAF), Kids Crafts & Educational Craft Kits Retail (CRALACAG), Crafting Machines & Accessories Retail (Die-Cut, Cricut/Silhouette, 3D Pens) (CRALACAK), Crafting Tools & Equipment Retail (Cutting, Adhesives, Heat Tools) (CRALACAC)

Keywords

• School supplies
• Stationery products
• Children's art supplies
• Writing instruments
• Creative craft kits

Headquarters

HQ city

Annonay

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Product Sales (Direct to Consumer): Maped generates revenue through direct online sales via its e-commerce platform (fr.maped.com), selling stationery, school supplies, and creative products directly to consumers in France.
2. Product Sales (Retail Distribution): Revenue generated through distribution partnerships with large retail chains, specialized stores, stationery shops, and toy stores across multiple countries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Maped designs, manufactures, and sells school and office supplies (sharpeners, erasers, compasses, scissors, rulers, staplers), coloring products (markers, colored pencils, wax crayons, finger paints), writing instruments (graphite pencils, highlighters, fountain pens), children's creative play items (drawing machines, LCD tablets, craft kits), and portable food and beverage containers for children (water bottles, lunch boxes, insulated bags). The company also markets spare parts and refills for its core product families. Products are sold directly via its e-commerce website and through large retailers, stationery stores, and toy stores in France and internationally.

Product overview

Maped is a family-owned French manufacturer of school supplies, office products, and children's creative play items. The company operates under a multi-brand portfolio architecture with core Maped school/office products, the Maped Picnik portable food and beverage sub-brand, the Maped Creativ arts and crafts line, and the acquired Joustra toy brand. Product portfolio spans school supplies (pencil sharpeners, compasses, scissors, rulers, erasers), coloring products (markers, colored pencils, wax crayons, paints under Color'Peps), writing instruments, creative toys (Lumi Board drawing machines, tablets, craft kits), and children's food containers (water bottles, lunch boxes, insulated bags). Key innovations include the self-sharpening Color'Peps Infinity pencils (100% lead, no sharpening required), Kidy Learn Magic reusable erasable learning pens for writing practice, and the Kidy Learn Concentration school supply kit. The company holds FSC certification and operates ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certified production facilities, with 60% of products manufactured in their 3 responsible production sites.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Maped Creativ: Art and craft tools product line including machines to draw, paint, create jewelry, and sewing machines for children.
• Maped Picnik
• Joustra
• Color'Peps
• Kidy Learn

Products and services

• Maped Creativ Sub-brand of creative arts and crafts products for children, including drawing boards, painting supplies, sewing machines, and craft kits for creative play and learning.
• Maped Picnik Sub-brand of portable food and beverage containers for children including reusable water bottles, insulated lunch boxes, and lunch bags designed for school and outdoor use.
• Joustra Acquired toy sub-brand of Maped group specializing in modeling kits, stamp sets, building toys, and creative project toys for children.
• Lumi Board Drawing Machine Light-projection drawing machine for children aged 4 and up that allows tracing 250 drawings using light, with themed reusable activity sheet packs.
• Kidy Learn Magic Rechargeable Erasable Pen Rechargeable erasable learning pen designed for children aged 6+ to facilitate writing skill acquisition, featuring ergonomic tripod grip design and thermo-sensitive ink.
• Kidy Learn Concentration School Supply Kit Four-piece school supply kit designed to improve children's concentration in class, including a ruler with tactile zones, a relaxing pencil with chewing tip, a sharpener, and a textured eraser.
• Color'Peps Infinity Color Pencils Patented self-sharpening 100%-lead color pencils that auto-sharpen during use without producing shavings, lasting 10 times longer than standard pencils, with a triangular ergonomic shape.
• Tablette Magique Maped Drawing Tablet LCD drawing tablet for children aged 4+ with stylus for infinite drawing, featuring an erase button and screen lock to display finished drawings.
• School Supplies Range Core product line of school supplies including pencil sharpeners, erasers, rulers, compasses, scissors, staplers, chalkboards, and dry-erase markers for primary and secondary school use.
• Coloring Products Range Range of coloring products including markers, colored pencils, wax crayons, and children's paints under the Color'Peps brand featuring vibrant colors.
• Writing Instruments Range Range of writing instruments including graphite pencils, highlighters, and fountain pens for educational and office use.
• Office and Framing Range Range of office tools including cutting tools, technical drawing instruments, staplers, hole punchers, and eco-friendly office supplies under the Bureau Green line.
• Sac isotherme Maped Picnik Insulated Lunch Bag Insulated lunch bag for children with two compartments, four carrying options, and reflective elements, designed for school and outings.
• Lunch box enfant 3 en 1 Maped Picnik Modular 1.4L three-compartment children's lunch box with two removable waterproof sections for sauces or salads and a dry food compartment, microwave and dishwasher safe.
• Gourde inox enfant Maped Picnik Stainless Steel Water Bottle Stainless steel reusable water bottle for children with straw system and leak-proof automatic opening, available in 430ml and 580ml capacities.
• Peinture à doigt bébé Finger Paint for Babies Finger paint for babies and toddlers aged 1+ with four 80g pots in red, yellow, green, and blue; dermatologically tested, non-toxic, and easily washable.
• Craies de coloriage Color'Peps Wax Jumbo Set of 12 large wax crayons for toddlers aged 1+ with protective coating to keep fingers clean, triangular shape for easy grip, and made with beeswax for vibrant colors.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Juratoys (acquired from Argos)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2022Maped acquired Juratoys from European investment fund Argos in October 2022. The merger is expected to enhance growth by combining distribution networks and expertise in educational and sustainable products. Juratoys is a French toy and game designer and distributor.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Faber-Castell: Global manufacturer of pencils, pens, art supplies, and creative products for children and professionals. Direct competitor in Maped's core coloring pencils and school supplies categories, co-listed as a key player in the global pencils market.
• Staedtler: German manufacturer of writing, coloring, and art supplies with a strong European presence. Direct competitor in school and office stationery, co-listed with Maped as a key player in the global pencils market.
• Mitsubishi Pencil Company: Japanese manufacturer of writing instruments including pencils and pens under brands like Uni. Direct competitor in premium pencils and writing instruments, co-listed as a key player in the global pencils market.
• BIC: French-headquartered global manufacturer of stationery, lighters, and razors. Direct competitor in pens, pencils, markers, and school supplies with comparable distribution through mass-market retail channels.
• Kokuyo Camlin: Indian manufacturer of stationery, art supplies, and school products. Direct competitor in pencils, markers, and creative supplies, co-listed as a key player in the global pencils market alongside Maped.
• Hindustan Pencils: Indian manufacturer of pencils and stationery under brands like Apsara and Nataraj. Direct competitor in the global pencils market where Maped is also identified as a key player.
• Stabilo: German manufacturer of writing instruments (highlighters, pens) and coloring products. Direct competitor in school and office stationery with overlapping retail distribution in European markets.
• Lyra (FILA Group): Italian-owned manufacturer of art and writing pencils under the FILA Group. Direct competitor in pencils, coloring, and creative arts products with comparable European heritage and school-supply positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Crayola: American manufacturer of art supplies and creative tools for children, owned by Hallmark. Overlaps with Maped's coloring and creative arts segment but focuses primarily on the North American market with a stronger brand in children's art.

Emerging players

• Sakura Color Products: Japanese manufacturer of writing and art products including the iconic Pigma Micron pen. Overlaps with Maped's premium writing and creative arts segments, particularly strong in professional/artist channels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCXEYycNaBZDPAUylUQ4P--w
• Facebookfr-fr.facebook.com/MapedFrance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maped
• Instagraminstagram.com/maped_fr/?hl=fr
• Pinterestpinterest.fr/mapedfr
• Xx.com/MAPED_INT

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Maped