Ballograf

Ballograf AB is a Swedish manufacturer of ballpoint pens and mechanical pencils. Ballograf manufactures its products from raw materials to finished product in its Göteborg factory. [ [http://www.nord-mark.com/ Ballograf - Swedish Ballpoint Pens and Pencils from Nord Mark ] ]

Annual Production

Ballograf produces about 5.5 million writing instruments per year, with a workforce of only 40 employees. Fifty percent of its output is consumed in Scandinavian countries, while the other half is exported around the world, mainly to Western Europe. [ [http://www.ballograf.com/Index.asp Ballograf AB - Welcome to Ballograf! ] ]

History

In 1945, an Austrian, Eugen Spitzer, set up a company in Göteborg with the aim of selling office supplies. With the assistance of Fritz Schaechter, an Austrian engineer, the manufacturing of ballpoint pens began on a small scale in a garage on St. Pauli Street. Production subsequently increased and the business moved to Krokslätt Street in Mölndal, with the company now called Ballografverken AB.

The Ballograf brand was marketed throughout the Nordic countries and soon became well-known. Ballograf was early in launching a ballpoint pen with a push mechanism, which delivered increased user friendliness. In 1956, Ballograf introduced a ballpoint cartridge containing light-fast ink. This was the major breakthrough for the ballpoint pen as it was now possible for public authorities and companies to use it. Ballograf was the leading brand of ballpoint pen in the Nordic countries. Sales were also progressing in other European countries including Austria, Switzerland and Holland.

In 1959, the company was bought by the the French BIC Group, as they wanted to establish their business in the Scandinavian office supplies market.

During 2004, BIC decided to sell the brand, along with manufacture of Ballograf products, to the General Manager of the Nordic operation. The sale was completed on 1st November 2004 and 50% of the company is now owned by Jan Johansson and 50% by Tommy Kvist.

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