Advanced BIC technology
Putting it all togetherBIC made the ballpoint pen a success. Since its beginnings in 1950, the Company has refined the machines and manufacturing processes needed to manufacture pens in mass production while assuring high quality.
These processes are highly technical and continuously modified to meet the requirements of an increasingly diversified product line. Well-trained employees, a rigorous quality control system and a focus on continuous improvement by our Research & Development team, ensure a high level of product quality.
Putting it all together
In the making
MANUFACTURING EXPERTISE
The BIC Group has high-technology facilities on all continents. The Company's Quality Department regularly audits process and product quality in BIC factories. Production methods and quality standards are consistently applied in all BIC-owned factories. Contract manufacturers are also required to follow these standards, which are enforced by the Quality Department.
HIGHLY RESISTANT BALL
The roughly shaped tungsten carbide balls are first hardened in an oven to become almost as strong as diamonds. Then, the balls are ground between two flat surfaces to become perfect spheres. 100% of the balls are checked for roundness and resistance.
IN-HOUSE KNOWLEDGE OF BALL POINTS
The tungsten carbide ball is inserted in the point and point support. Checks are carried out on a fixed percentage of points to control the precision of the setting which affects writing quality.
MOLDING WORKSHOP
Most of the plastic parts are manufactured by co-injection and injection molding. BIC produces its own molds created by its technology department.
THE CARTRIDGE
The assembled cartridges are run through a centrifuge process and then go through quality control.
ASSEMBLY
Assembly is performed by high speed machines, with parts fed directly from the molding process. Production programs are sent in automatically. Each operator self-monitors production levels.
WRITING CONTROL
At this step, all writing performance criteria are controlled.
BEFORE LEAVING THE FACTORY
BIC's total quality commitment extends to all aspects of its business including packaging, logistics and sales, giving retailers and distributors a world-renowned brand name they can deliver with confidence to consumers.
