BIC manufactures and sells 24 million stationery products every day around the world. BIC is the world’s number one manufacturer of ballpoint pens and a leader in stationery products.

In France, in 1945, a man named Marcel BICH, who had been the production manager for a French ink manufacturer, bought with his partner Edouard BUFFARD, a factory outside Paris and set up business as the maker of parts for fountain pens and mechanical lead pencils.

While his writing instruments parts business began to grow, the development of the ballpoint was advancing in both Europe and the United States and Marcel BICH saw the enormous potential for this new writing instrument.

After obtaining the patent rights to a ball pen created by Hungarian inventor, Ladislao BIRO, Marcel BICH introduced his own ball pen in December 1950. Touting his product as a reliable pen at an affordable price, he called it « BIC » a shortened, easy-to-remember version of his own name. The famous BIC® CRISTAL® ballpoint pen was born!

He supported its launch with memorable, effective advertising and its sales surpassed even his own expectations.

The company then expanded its product range and began to enter foreign markets by creating subsidiaries, acquiring control of foreign companies or through agents. Since 1950, BIC® ball pens have revolutionized the writing habits of millions of consumers all around the world, who continue to value them for their quality and affordable price.

Today, to meet specific consumer needs, BIC offers a complete range of stationery products sold under a range of major recognized brands:

• Writing instruments and markers under the BIC®, STYPEN® and SHEAFFER® brands
• Coloring and Drawing under the CONTE® and BIC® KIDS brands
• Correction products under the WITE-OUT® and TIPP-EX® brands
  

In 2002, the BIC® Cristal® ballpoint pen enters the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art of New York (MOMA), at the Department of Architecture and Design.
In 2005, BIC has sold its hundred billionth ballpoint pen.