German family firm’s high-end products become part of Japanese business’ portfolio
Japan’s first industrial pencil producer has acquired the Lamy pen company in a surprise move set to increase the Mitsubishi Pencil company’s presence in the overseas upscale writing instruments market.
The unexpected announcement that the family firm C. Josef Lamy is to become a subsidiary of the Tokyo-based brand, founded in 1887, came after a “complex process” to identify a buyer to lead the German company and develop the growth area of digital writing while expanding international sales.
“It was very important to us to find a company with the strength and heart to work with Lamy employees and open up a whole new chapter for Lamy together with all our partners,” former co-partner Vera Lamy explained. “We have found this company.”
Her brother and co-partner Markus added: “The core of the Lamy brand will be retained and further developed. Made In Germany will continue to play a key role in this – that was and is of the
utmost importance to us.”
Mitsubishi Pencil has acquired all shares in Lamy while ensuring the headquarters and production facilities in Heidelberg will be maintained and investments will be made in the further development of the company and brand.
Shigehiko Suhara, sixth-generation president and ceo of Mitsubishi Pencil, said: “We have the greatest respect for the history and strength of the Lamy brand. We believe the vision and corporate cultures of Lamy and Mitsubishi Pencil harmonise perfectly. We are also confident the acquisition will provide a strong combined platform for future growth and increased shareholder value for both.”
The move adds fountain pens to Mitsubishi’s portfolio alongside its popular Uni brand pencils, ballpoint and rollerball pens, and erasers, mainly priced under 1,000 yen (£5.30). The company is Japan’s first industrial pencil producer and now has bases in 22 countries across the world, including the UK and America.
Lamy was founded in 1930 and now employs more than 340 people, with its Lamy 2000 from 1966 establishing its design language for its high-end fountain pens, ballpoints and rollerballs including the Safari special edition pens which celebrates its 20th anniversary with a relaunch of the first two colours of Savannah Green and Terra Red alongside the 2024 colours of Pink Cliff and Violet Blackberry.
The news of the sale was positively received by Lamy UK with sales manager Hollie Bottrill adding: “We’re really happy about the sale because it opens up many new opportunities for Lamy. Mitsubishi Pencil has confirmed to us that Lamy will continue to act autonomously and continue to implement its previous corporate and marketing strategy.”
