BIC consumer goods

BIC is a globally recognized manufacturer based in France, famous for its line of disposable consumer products including ballpoint pens, lighters, and razors. The company was founded in 1945 by Marcel Bich and Édouard Buffard in Clichy, France. Its first major success, the BIC Cristal ballpoint pen, was introduced in 1950 and remains one of the world's best-selling writing instruments due to its affordability and reliability.

Over the decades, BIC expanded its portfolio to include disposable lighters in 1973 and one-piece razors in 1975. The brand is also well-known for its 'BIC Boy' logo, created in 1961 by Raymond Savignac. Today, the company operates more than 25 manufacturing facilities across the globe, including significant sites in France, Brazil, Mexico, and Greece, ensuring a steady supply for its distribution network in over 160 countries.

As of 2026, Société BIC SA remains a publicly traded company on the Euronext Paris exchange. It continues to be significantly influenced and owned by the founding Bich family. The brand's strategy focuses on 'democratizing' essential high-quality tools by manufacturing them at a massive scale and low cost, a philosophy that has made BIC a fixture in households and offices worldwide.