Posted on 08/13/2022 7:48:32 AM PDT by libh8er
William Penn, a multi-brand retailer and distributor of writing instruments and accessories, said it has acquired Sheaffer, a 110-year-old iconic American brand, particularly known for its premium fountain pens.
The Bengaluru-based firm has acquired the brand from A.T. Cross Company, in a transaction that comprises Sheaffer’s complete product portfolio and licenses, including premium pens, journals and gift sets. William Penn didn’t disclose the acquisition value.
As part of the acquisition, it will be taking over Sheaffer’s manufacturing, marketing and retailing across 75 countries including USA, UK, Mexico, Malaysia, Thailand, South Africa, Japan and India, among others.
This is William Penn’s second acquisition after 2016, when it acquired the British brand Lapis Bard and with it, diversified into men’s accessories, including leather bags, wallets, cufflinks, watch chests and pen cases.
“We had this opportunity to acquire this iconic brand, and it was a good fit. We will now design, manufacture and market the brand out of India. We see the current acquisition as a remarkable opportunity to further build on the preferences and tastes of Indian customers, while also factoring in global needs during the product development of new Sheaffer models and lines. The American brand enjoys a 15% market share in the premium writing instruments (pens above $10) segment in India. We hope to double this market share in the next 3 years,” Nikhil Ranjan, founder and managing director, William Penn said in an interview.
Since 2003, William Penn has been the exclusive distributor of Sheaffer in India. It retails other global brands such as Montblanc, Cross, Pelikan and Sailor in the country, and is the distributor for some of them.
After the acquisition of the Sheaffer brand, it plans to set up distribution centres in India and outside. It also plans to expand the product range from writing instruments to premium stationery and small leather goods, including cardholders and wallets, said Ranjan, adding it is a “big opportunity”. In the long-term, William Penn may also open up Sheaffer stores.
“We are extremely proud of the demand we have generated for Sheaffer products since acquiring the brand in 2014, not only among loyal Sheaffer fans but among new users alike. William Penn is in a key position to now take the reins and continue Sheaffer’s growth and expand its global presence,” said James Miranda, CEO, A.T. Cross Company.
Currently, William Penn has 25 stores across India, including retail outlets at key airports.
I was tempted to buy a Parker 51 being the classic it is, but per the reviews I read the modern (2021) version falls short. So I bought a Scriveiner instead from Amazon. I had never heard of the brand but it’s excellent !
It still works for handwritten post-its, signs, and comments on documents. The handwriting, paper, and pens make all the difference.
A signature on an award, certification, or report stands out when done well and looks terrible when done poorly.
A fountain pen adds nuances to the lettering due to the changing width and pressure while writing, which a ball point pen or a computer can't match. It's like comparing single color paint on a car to one that fades from lighter to darker shades.
Pilot G-2 for ink. Pentel 207 0.7mm for mechanical pencil. Prefer wooden clad pencils you sharpen with a knife for DIY and artistic purposes. Writing instrument technology has exploded, these old ink pens are an anachronism. You can get markers that write on any surface under any conceivable condition, pouring rain or freezing snow or broiling heat. I think a lot of the driving force for these new products that are used in the construction trades have been the graffiti artists of the 70’s coming out of the urban cultures. Some of their creations illegal or not have been truly awesome.
The Zebra Sarasa line works well and the ink doesn’t bleed through copier paper which is a life saver when making notes on double-sided printed pages.
As a fellow left handed person, your experience was about the same as mine.
I’m glad I took typing as an elective. Great teacher.
I prefer Fisher Space Pens. Love the way they write. Perfect balance between flow and resistance.
I love chisel point, italic, blunt and similar pens for variable line width. Likewise, I LOVE old lumber pencils that you can cut to a chisel point for the same reason.
“A fountain pen adds nuances to the lettering...”
I know, I’m just having some fun here. Hell, I still eat beef and drive a GASOLINE car. I doubt many Ukraine supporters here do the same.
ROFL! Nice dig!
I feel like I should make all my posts in cursive so they can't read them!
LOL!
William Penn, a dead Quaker bought Sheaffer? When I need to write on paper, I use a Pilot.
I’ve used the Zebra before and liked it.
Scheaffer was the last to go of the major American manufacturers.
There are some custom pen makers in the US but they all use foreign parts. German nibs etc.
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