The BIC group
BIC is a publicly traded French multinational (Euronext: BB) that manufactures and distributes affordable mass-market stationery, lighters, and shavers across 160+ countries, serving individual consumers, the education sector, and corporate customers through retail, e-commerce, and regional subsidiaries.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1944
- HeadquartersClichy, France
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What The BIC group does
BIC Group (BIC SA, Euronext Paris: BB, SBF120 and CAC Mid 60 constituent) is a French-headquartered, publicly traded multinational that manufactures and distributes mass-market everyday consumer products across three core categories: stationery, lighters, and shavers. Founded in 1944 in the Paris suburbs by Marcel Bich and Edouard Buffard, the company has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1972 and operates with 14,000+ team members across more than 160 countries, manufacturing 23.7 million products per day. Iconic franchises include the BIC Cristal ballpoint pen (launched 1950, world's best-selling pen, in MoMA and Centre Pompidou collections), the BIC M10 retractable pen (1956), the BIC 4-Color (1970), the BIC Maxi lighter (1973), and the one-piece BIC razor (1975), supplemented by acquired brands such as Wite-Out, Tipp-Ex, Conté, Cello, Lucky, Djeep, Rocketbook, Inkbox, Tattly, AMI, and Tangle Teezer.
The company's core technology rests on proprietary precision manufacturing: 100% of pen balls are produced in a tightly controlled process using watchmaking-grade tools; lighter components (fork, cheeks, spark wheel) are zinc-alloy die-cast to hundredths of a millimeter; and razors feature patented moveable blade and EasyRinse anti-clogging technologies. Products undergo 50+ automated quality and security checks (lighters), 70+ (pens), and 30+ (razors), and BIC's shaver factories are triple-certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001.
Revenue is generated primarily through one-time, perpetual sales of affordable consumer goods via mass retail (Walmart, Amazon), direct e-commerce (bic.com and regional storefronts, shopbic.com), and regional distributors and subsidiaries. Complementary revenue streams include custom-branded merchandise through BIC Graphic, brand collaborations (Macon & Lesquoy, Pinel & Pinel), and the recently acquired Tangle Teezer premium haircare line. Customer segments span individual consumers (students, professionals, households), the education sector (via the BIC Corporate Foundation and KINF/Walmart partnerships reaching 199M+ children since 2018), and corporate customers using BIC products as promotional items. Recent strategic emphasis has shifted toward adjacent personal care, digital/AR experiences (DrawPlanet on Roblox, AMI), and emerging-market expansion in Africa and Asia.
The BIC group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The BIC group
- Legal name
- BIC SA
- Website
- https://corporate.bic.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1944
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- BIC is a publicly traded French multinational (Euronext: BB) that manufactures and distributes affordable mass-market stationery, lighters, and shavers across 160+ countries, serving individual consumers, the education sector, and corporate customers through retail, e-commerce, and regional subsidiaries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where The BIC group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Clichy
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices7 records
Markets served
The BIC group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Consumer Products Sales: BIC generates revenue through the sale of mass-market consumer products including pens, pencils, markers, correction products, lighters, and razors sold through retail and e-commerce channels globally.
- Licensing and Customization: BIC offers customizable products (M10 pen) for brands and businesses to use as advertising aids and promotional items through BIC Graphic.
- Brand Partnerships and Collaborations: BIC enters collaborations with brands like Macon & Lesquoy, Pinel & Pinel, and others for limited edition products featuring BIC products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | BIC produces affordable everyday consumer products positioned for mass-market accessibility |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
The BIC group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BIC manufactures and sells affordable everyday consumer products across three core categories: stationery (ballpoint pens, mechanical pencils, correction products, highlighters, temporary tattoo markers), lighters (full-size, mini, extended wand, and reloadable), and shavers (men's and women's disposable razors). The company produces 23.7 million products daily in its factories and distributes them in over 160 countries through mass-market retailers and direct e-commerce.
Product overview
BIC is a world leader in consumer everyday products across three core categories: stationery, lighters, and shavers. The product portfolio centers on iconic, affordable essentials trusted by everyone. Stationery includes the legendary BIC Cristal ballpoint pen (world's best-selling pen since 1950), BIC M10 retractable pen (70 years), BIC 4-Color multi-color pen, and expanded offerings including BIC Kids, Wite-Out, Tipp-Ex, Conté, Intensity highlighters, and mechanical pencils. The Skin Creative line (BodyMark, Inkbox, Tattly) enables self-expression through temporary tattoos. Lighter portfolio spans the BIC Maxi, Mini, EZ Reach (extended wand), and EZ Load (first reloadable, 15,000 lights) lighters, plus Djeep premium lighters. Shaving products include BIC Flex razors with moveable blade technology, Flex 5 Sensitive, Soleil women's razors (with Click 5 sustainability design and Escape variants), EasyRinse anti-clog razors, and the new Flex 5 Trim & Shave 2-in-1 grooming tool. Acquired brands include Tangle Teezer (haircare), AMI (augmented technology), Rocketbook (smart notebooks), Lucky (Nigeria), and Cello/CIC in India. Digital presence includes Roblox's DrawPlanet: Go Make WOW. Products are manufactured in factories across multiple continents with rigorous quality controls, and sold in over 160 countries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BIC Cristal: Iconic ballpoint pen, the world's best-selling pen, launched in 1950, celebrating 75th anniversary in 2025.
- BIC M10
- BIC 4-Color
- BodyMark by BIC
- BIC Flex
- BIC Soleil
- BIC EZ Reach
- BIC EZ Load
- Rocketbook
- Tangle Teezer
- Wite-Out
- Tipp-Ex
- Conté
- Djeep
- Inkbox
- Tattly
- AMI
- BIC Cello (Cello)
- Lucky
- Stypen
- Pimaco
- BIC Graphic
- BIC Kids
- Intensity
- BIC Evolution
- BIC Cristal Re'New
- DrawPlanet: Go Make WOW
Products and services
- BIC Cristal Ballpoint Pen The iconic BIC ballpoint pen launched in 1950, the world's best-selling pen. Features a tungsten carbide ball, up to 3 km of writing distance, and is part of MoMA and Centre Pompidou permanent collections. Sold to general consumers for everyday writing.
- BIC M10 Retractable Pen Iconic retractable ballpoint pen launched in 1956 with signature click mechanism, delivering up to 2 km of writing. Available in pastel edition with 49% recycled plastic. For everyday consumers.
- BIC 4-Color Pen Multi-color ballpoint pen launched in 1970 that allows users to switch between four ink colors (blue, black, red, green) in one instrument. For organization, note-taking, and creative expression by students and professionals.
- BIC Evolution Pencils Graphite and coloring pencils launched in 1993, made with recycled materials. For schools, students, and consumers seeking sustainable stationery.
- BIC Kids Drawing and coloring product line for children launched in 2015 with kid-friendly versions of BIC products. Targeted at children, parents, and schools.
- BodyMark by BIC Temporary tattoo markers with skin-safe cosmetic formula launched in 2018. Designed for self-expression and body art by individual consumers.
- BIC Maxi Lighter Full-size pocket lighter launched in 1973 with adjustable flame providing up to 3,000 lights. Subject to over 50 automatic quality and security checks. For everyday consumer use including candles, stoves, grills.
- BIC EZ Reach Lighter Multi-purpose pocket lighter with extended wand launched in 2020, designed for lighting hard-to-reach places (candles, fireplaces, grills) while keeping fingers away from flame.
- BIC EZ Load Lighter First reloadable multi-purpose lighter launched in 2024, providing up to 15,000 lights (10x reloadable with BIC Maxi lighter canisters). For everyday consumer use.
- Djeep Lighters High-end pocket lighters from French manufacturer Djeep acquired by BIC in 2020. Targeted at consumers seeking premium lighter designs.
- BIC Flex Razors Men's razors featuring moveable blade technology for shaving comfort, with patent-protected blade edge enhancements since 2019. Includes the Flex 5 line. For everyday shaving by male consumers.
- BIC Flex 5 Sensitive Razor Disposable razor for men clinically proven for sensitive skin with dermatologically tested formula enriched with aloe and almond oil lubricating strip. Launched in 2025.
- BIC Flex 5 Trim & Shave First-to-market 2-in-1 men's grooming tool combining detachable dual-length precision trimmer (0.5mm and 1.5mm settings) with five-blade shaving cartridge. Battery-free, water-resistant, clinically proven for sensitive skin. Launched in 2026.
- BIC Soleil Women's Razors Women's razor line including Soleil Escape variants with Peach and Pineapple scents and Click 5 sustainable design. Targeted at female consumers for everyday shaving.
- BIC EasyRinse Razor Razor with patented EasyRinse anti-clogging technology designed with optimal space between blades for easy rinsing, less clogging, and reduced irritation.
- Wite-Out Correction Products American brand of correction products (correction tapes and fluids) acquired by BIC in 1992 for office and school use.
- Tipp-Ex Correction Products Leading European brand of correction products (correction tapes) acquired by BIC in 1997 for office and school use.
- Conté Crayons French coloring and drawing brand acquired by BIC in 1979, offering crayons and art supplies for artists, students, and creative consumers.
- BIC Intensity Highlighters
Quantifiable outcome
- 23.7 million products manufactured daily in BIC factories
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The BIC group
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The BIC group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
The BIC group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.
- Kids In Need Foundation (KINF)coreStrategic partnership for school supply donations. BIC serves as National Sponsor of KINF's Supply A Teacher Program, donating 3 million writing instruments and delivering 10,000+ supply boxes to under-resourced teachers annually.
- WalmartkeyRetail partner for 'Bring Joy, BIC to School' campaign including Walmart Teacher Shopping Spree Sweepstakes supporting local school communities.
- Take Action Global (TAG)coreGlobal partnership announced as 'Writing Our Future, Together' for global education initiatives.
- Plug and PlaysupportingLargest global innovation platform for startups and corporations - partner for accelerating sustainable innovation at BIC.
- Iprova Invention LabsupportingMachine learning-based, data-driven approach to invention - partner for innovation in product development.
- Creative ActionssupportingPartner for BIC Creativity Educator's Guide, using evidence-based research to build creative and academic capacity in education.
- Creativity Culture & Education (CCE)supportingInternational foundation creating creative learning programs - partner for Global Education Week educator resources.
- FableVision/Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning & CreativitysupportingNon-profit focused on fostering positive creativity through media and storytelling - partner for educator guide development.
- LP4Y (Life Skills, Entrepreneurship, Professional Insertion)supportingPartnership renewal with BIC Corporate Foundation supporting professional insertion programs.
- Save the ChildrensupportingPartnership to support underprivileged students through educational initiatives.
- TerraCyclesupportingPartnership in Europe for collecting and reusing non-recyclable waste, collecting used writing instruments of all brands. Extended to UAE reaching over 15,000 students.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves15 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The BIC group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- 3M: Diversified consumer essentials manufacturer (Post-it, Scotch tape, Command) — adjacent peer sharing BIC's channel mix (Walmart, mass retail), school supply positioning, and everyday-product brand-building model, though with much broader industrial portfolio.
Direct peers
- Zippo Manufacturing: American manufacturer of refillable metal lighters — directly competes with BIC Maxi/Mini/EZ Reach/EZ Load lighters; iconic American lighter brand comparable to BIC's mass-market lighter positioning and lifetime warranty model.
- Faber-Castell: German manufacturer of writing instruments, colored pencils, and art supplies (Castell 9000, Polychromos) — directly competes with BIC and its Conté brand in coloring/drawing categories with similar premium heritage positioning.
- Crayola (Hallmark Cards): Owner of Crayola crayons and art supplies — directly competes with BIC Kids and Conté coloring products in children's art/stationery category with similar school-channel distribution and educational partnerships.
- Pentel: Japanese writing instrument and art supply manufacturer (EnerGel, mechanical pencils) — comparable to BIC in precision pen manufacturing, school/office channels, and global distribution with strong brand recognition in Asia.
- Newell Brands: Owner of Paper Mate, Parker, Reynolds, and Sharpie — directly competing with BIC across writing instruments, stationery, and shavers; closest analog as a publicly traded multi-brand consumer essentials company with similar channel mix (Walmart, mass retail).
- Edgewell Personal Care: Owner of Schick, Wilkinson Sword, and Personna — directly competes with BIC Flex and BIC Soleil razor lines with comparable mid-market positioning in mass retail; closest pure-play peer for BIC's shaver category.
- Pilot Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of ballpoint pens, gel pens, and markers (G2, FriXion) — directly competes with BIC in mass-market writing instruments globally with similar precision manufacturing capabilities and product innovation cadence.
- STAEDTLER: German manufacturer of pencils, pens, and artists' materials (Noris, Triplus) — competes with BIC in mass-market and premium writing/drawing instruments across European and global school channels.
Broad incumbents
- Procter & Gamble (Gillette): Owner of Gillette, Venus, and Mach3 — broad incumbent in razors and grooming with extensive portfolio; overlaps with BIC's shaving business but at premium tier and as part of a much larger consumer staples conglomerate.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The BIC group social profiles
Digital presenceThe BIC group compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
The BIC group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The BIC group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles18 records
The BIC group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries15 records
The BIC group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The BIC group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The BIC group
What does The BIC group do?
BIC manufactures and sells affordable everyday consumer products across three core categories: stationery (ballpoint pens, mechanical pencils, correction products, highlighters, temporary tattoo markers), lighters (full-size, mini, extended wand, and reloadable), and shavers (men's and women's disposable razors). The company produces 23.7 million products daily in its factories and distributes them in over 160 countries through mass-market retailers and direct e-commerce.
Is The BIC group a public or private company?
The BIC group is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was The BIC group founded?
The BIC group was founded in 1944. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is The BIC group based?
The BIC group is headquartered in Clichy, France, in the Europe region.
How does The BIC group make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Consumer Products Sales are the primary driver. The others are licensing and Customization and brand Partnerships and Collaborations.
Who are The BIC group's main competitors?
3M is listed as an others. Direct peers are Zippo Manufacturing, Faber-Castell, Crayola (Hallmark Cards), Pentel, Newell Brands, Edgewell Personal Care, Pilot Corporation and STAEDTLER. Procter & Gamble (Gillette) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does The BIC group have an API?
No public API is recorded for The BIC group.