Pelikan writing and office supplies

Pelikan is a prestigious German brand with a history dating back to 1838, when chemist Carl Hornemann founded an ink and paint factory in Hanover. The brand is globally recognized for its contribution to writing culture, notably the invention of the differential-piston filling system for fountain pens in 1929. Its iconic logo, featuring a pelican and its chick, is based on the family crest of Günther Wagner, who took over the company in 1871 and registered the trademark in 1878, making it one of the oldest registered trademarks in Germany.

For much of its history, Pelikan remained a family-owned German enterprise, but it faced financial shifts in the late 20th century. After being owned by a Swiss holding company and later by a Malaysian corporation (Pelikan International Corporation Berhad) for several decades, the brand returned to European ownership. In late 2023, the Pelikan Group was acquired by the Hamelin Group, a French family-owned company that is a leader in the European stationery market. Today, while high-end writing instruments are still manufactured in their specialized plant in Peine, Germany, the company maintains a global manufacturing presence to serve various market segments.