About Bic
BIC stands as one of the world's most recognised consumer brands, renowned for creating simple, reliable, and affordable products across stationery, lighters, and razors. Founded in France in 1945 by Marcel Bich and Édouard Buffard, this family-controlled company has grown from a small parts manufacturer into a global giant whose products are used by millions daily. The BIC Cristal pen alone has sold over 100 billion units worldwide, making it one of the most successful products in commercial history. The BIC story began in 1945 when Marcel Bich and Édouard Buffard established their company in Clichy, France. Initially focused on manufacturing parts for writing instruments, the company's trajectory changed dramatically when Marcel Bich acquired the patent for the ballpoint pen. In 1950, Bich improved László Biró's original ballpoint design and launched his own version under the BIC brand, revolutionising how the world writes. The name BIC derives from Marcel Bich's surname, shortened to avoid pronunciation difficulties in English-speaking markets. When forming Société Bic in 1953, Bich pragmatically dropped the 'H' to ensure his brand would be easily pronounced worldwide. This attention to global accessibility would characterise BIC's approach throughout its expansion. The BIC Cristal, introduced in France following Bich's acquisition of the ballpoint patent, became the company's signature product. This transparent-barrelled pen with its distinctive hexagonal shape set the standard for affordable, reliable writing instruments. The design has remained virtually unchanged for over seventy years, testament to its perfect balance of function and value. The Bich family's influence remains central to BIC's ownership structure. As of June 2024, the family holds approximately 47.30% of the company's capital and a substantial 61.97% of voting rights. This significant control, exercised primarily through Société MBD and individual family members, ensures consistent strategic direction and commitment to long-term growth. The family maintains six of ten board seats, ensuring continued family governance. Gonzalve Bich became Chief Executive Officer in 2018, continuing the family leadership tradition. His father oversaw the company from 1993 to 2006. While future leadership may come from outside the family, the Bich family's controlling stake ensures their values and vision continue shaping BIC's direction. BIC expanded into the United Kingdom in 1957, establishing a presence that has endured for nearly seven decades. Today, BIC products are ubiquitous in UK shops, from supermarkets to stationery suppliers, newsagents to wholesale outlets. The brand's reliability and value have made it a trusted choice for British consumers across all product categories. The stationery division encompasses BIC's heritage products and remains central to the brand identity. Beyond the iconic Cristal, the range includes the BIC Orange, M10, and the popular 4-Colour ball pen. Mechanical pencils, fineliners, gel rollerballs, permanent markers, and highlighters extend the writing instrument offering. Colouring products including pens, pencils, and crayons serve creative and educational markets. BIC acquired the Tipp-Ex brand in 1997, adding correction products to its stationery portfolio. This acquisition strengthened BIC's position as a comprehensive office and school supplies provider. Glues and adhesives further extend the range into craft and everyday use applications. Sustainability has become increasingly important to BIC's product development. The BIC Evolution pencil, launched in 1993 using recycled materials, pioneered eco-conscious design in stationery. The BIC ReVolution product line, introduced in 2021, includes ballpoint pens made from up to 73% recycled ocean plastic, mechanical pencils from 65% recycled plastic, and permanent markers from 51% recycled plastic. This commitment addresses growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible products. BIC entered the lighter market in 1973, applying its philosophy of simple, reliable, affordable products to flame. BIC lighters quickly became market leaders, known for consistent quality and safety. A BIC Maxi lighter provides up to 3,000 flames, demonstrating the durability that defines the brand. Quality and safety have remained absolute priorities throughout fifty years of lighter manufacturing. Recent lighter innovations include the EZ Reach lighter, designed for lighting hard-to-reach places such as candles and barbecues. The BIC EZ Load lighter, launched in 2024 in North America, represents BIC's first reusable multi-purpose lighter, capable of being reloaded ten times with a BIC Maxi to provide up to 15,000 lights. This innovation addresses sustainability concerns while maintaining BIC's reliability standards. BIC's shaving division has grown significantly since the company entered the razor market. The portfolio expanded throughout the 1990s and 2000s, adding the Soleil brand for women in 2004 and increasing blade counts to the five-blade Flex 5 launched in 2015. The EasyRinse razor, launched in 2023, features an innovative reverse blade design and patented anti-clog technology, demonstrating continued innovation in personal grooming. Global expansion proceeded rapidly from BIC's French origins. Between 1950 and the 1970s, the company established presence in Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and Spain. Brazil followed in 1956, then the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Scandinavia in 1957. The 1958 acquisition of American Waterman Pen Company enabled US market entry, completing BIC's transition to truly global brand. In late 2024, BIC acquired Tangle Teezer, the British hairbrush manufacturer, for €200 million. This acquisition expands BIC's beauty division beyond razors into hair care, demonstrating continued appetite for growth through strategic acquisitions in adjacent categories. BIC products are widely available across UK retailers including supermarkets, stationery shops, newsagents, and discount stores. B&M, Poundland, and other value retailers stock extensive BIC ranges. Office suppliers and wholesalers serve business customers. This comprehensive distribution ensures BIC products reach consumers wherever they shop. Comparing BIC to competitors like Paper Mate, Pilot, and Staedtler in stationery, Clipper in lighters, and Gillette in razors, BIC offers the unique combination of quality, value, and brand heritage. Competitors may focus on premium positioning or specific niches. BIC's strength lies in democratising quality across everyday products. For UK consumers seeking reliable, affordable everyday products from a family-controlled company with nearly eighty years of manufacturing excellence, BIC delivers consistent quality across stationery, lighters, and razors. Whether writing with an iconic Cristal pen, lighting candles, or shaving, BIC brings French design philosophy and global manufacturing expertise to daily tasks. Using Grocefully to compare BIC prices across UK retailers ensures you find the best deals on one of the world's most trusted brands.