BIC Cristal Ballpoint Pen

The BIC Cristal is a disposable ballpoint pen introduced in 1950 by Société BIC S.A., a French company founded by Marcel Bich. It has become the best-selling pen globally, with over 100 billion units sold by 2006. The pen's design is characterized by its hexagonal barrel and streamlined polypropylene cap. BIC operates 24 factories worldwide, producing a significant portion of its products in-house. The company is headquartered in Clichy, France, and is publicly traded on the Paris Stock Exchange. The Bich family maintains substantial ownership, holding 47.3% of shares and 64% of voting rights as of 2024. The current CEO is Gonzalve Bich, grandson of the founder. BIC has diversified its product offerings through acquisitions, including the purchase of Rocketbook, a U.S.-based smart reusable notebook brand, in 2020, and Djeep, a French manufacturer of high-end decorated lighters, in the same year.