In the bustling markets of East and Central Africa, the name BIC is synonymous with reliability, affordability, and everyday convenience.
Many have mistakenly labeled it as a Kenyan brand, but the roots of BIC trace back to the heart of France.
WoK delves into the fascinating journey of how the famous brand emerged as a global powerhouse, enriching lives far beyond the realms of a simple ballpoint pen.
The Genesis of Innovation
The company was founded in 1945 by Marcel Bich and Édouard Buffard in Clichy, France. Bich was a pen salesman who believed that the ballpoint pen had the potential to be a mass-market product, but that the existing pens were too expensive and unreliable.
He bought the patent for the ballpoint pen from Hungarian inventor László Bíró, and using Swiss watchmaking tools, he devised a manufacturing process that produced stainless-steel balls for the tip of the pen.
Bich soon perfected the design of the ballpoint pen, and the Bic Cristal ballpoint pen became the company’s first product in 1950.
The Bic Cristal was a huge success, and it quickly became the world’s best-selling ballpoint pen. BIC went on to expand its product line to include lighters, shavers, and other disposable products.
The company is now one of the world’s largest manufacturers of consumer goods, and it is known for its innovative products and its commitment to affordable pricing.
Expansion in Kenya
The company entered the Kenyan market in 1974 when it partnered with Haco Industries to establish a manufacturing plant in Nairobi.
The plant initially produced ballpoint pens but later expanded to produce other BIC products, such as lighters and razors. Haco Industries is owned by the family of the late businessman Chris Kirubi.
In 2018, BIC acquired Haco Industries’ manufacturing and distribution operations in East Africa. According to Business Daily, BIC paid Ksh714 million to finalize the acquisition.
This acquisition gave BIC full control of its business in Kenya and allowed it to expand its operations into other countries in the region.
In the deal, Société took over HACO’s Kasarani factory, where BIC products such as stationery, shavers, and lighters were manufactured. Workers at the plant were offered new contracts in line with Kenyan labor laws.
Kirubi said the selling of BIC would free up HACO, helping it grow its own brands.
BIC’s operations in Kenya have had a significant impact on the country’s economy. The company employs over 1,000 people in Kenya, and its products are sold in all parts of the country.
It is also a major taxpayer in Kenya, contributing millions of shillings to the government’s coffers each year.
In addition to its economic impact, the company has also played a role in improving education and literacy in Kenya.
Through their flagship program ‘Buy Me a BIC and Pen’ campaign launched in 2020, the company has donated millions of pens and pencils to schools and other educational institutions in Kenya.
Leadership
The current CEO of BIC is Gonzalve Bich, the grandson of Marcel Bich. Gonzalve has been with the company since 1997, and he has held a variety of positions, including CEO of BIC USA and President of BIC Europe.
He is a graduate of Harvard Business School and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne.
Michael Sinclair is the General Manager of Bic East Africa. Under his leadership, the company has grown to become the largest ballpoint pen manufacturer in the region.
According to him, their sales peak during back-to-school seasons, and many students heavily rely on the BIC pen when writing their exams.
The pen appointed content creator Azziad Nasenya as the brand ambassador for its flagship shaver Miss Soleil in 2022.
The company’s greatest challenge was during the pandemic period when schools and learning institutions were closed.
BIC is headquartered in Clichy, France, and it has offices in major cities around the world.
