PILOT Corporation is a comprehensive writing instruments manufacturer engaged in the manufacturing and sale of fountain pens, ballpoint pens, mechanical pencils, markers and other products. In addition to the above, we operate businesses in which we apply our technologies for manufacturing writing instruments. They include stationery goods, such as planners and notebooks, and also toys, ceramics products and rings. We boast a long history, as we have continued to deliver writing instruments to people around the world for more than 100 years. At present, our writing instruments are used in more than 190 countries and regions around the world. We aim to leverage the technology derived from writing which has been cultivated over the past 100 years to support people, society, and culture in fields other than writing.
Segments and Business Descriptions
| Segment name |
Business |
| Japan |
Manufacturing, purchase, and sale of writing instruments and other stationery goods, as well as toys, rings and other precious metal accessories, ceramic parts and other products |
| Americas |
Manufacturing and sale of writing instruments, etc. |
| Europe |
Manufacturing and sale of writing instruments, etc. |
| Asia |
Manufacturing and sale of writing instruments, etc. |
Business Field
Writing instruments
Having started with manufacturing fountain pens, we have expanded our business to ballpoint pens, mechanical pencils, marking pens and other products in line with the times. We have thus continued to focus on and support the act of writing for more than 100 years. We deliver the convenience and fun of writing using products such as the Dr. Grip writing instruments that can be used with less fatigue and Frixion writing instruments featuring erasable ink.
Stationery goods
We have expanded our domains to office stationery, including correction tapes used with writing instruments and glue, and also stylishly designed stationery including diaries, day planners and pen cases from Mark's Incorporated, a PILOT Group company.
Toys
We plan and develop a wide array of toys, including educational toys for pre-school children, using the technologies for Metamo Color inks, whose color changes in response to temperature changes, and Hydrochromic Color, a special color material which, when dry, is an opaque color that hides the background color, but when it is wet it becomes transparent, making the background color visible. Major products include the Mellchan series of baby dolls and Suisui-Oekaki Aqua Doodle. We provide toys that help children develop their creativity.
Jewelry
We operate a jewelry business, in which we produce high-quality wedding rings and create original materials. We do so using technologies for manufacturing special precious metal alloys and advanced processing and decorating technologies which we developed through the processing of tips in the manufacturing of fountain pens.
We have developed original metal materials and produce rings using an integrated production system as we do with fountain pens. These rings are scratch- and deformation-resistant and durable, making life-long use possible.
Ceramics
We operate ceramics business based on high-precision ceramics molding technologies, an area where we apply our technologies for manufacturing mechanical pencil lead. We have strengths in the manufacturing of high density, strength and purity ceramic parts, including small-diameter parts and parts with tiny uniform holes. We are able to do this using our core technologies, including our kneading, extrusion molding and burning technologies.
Other new products
We are taking on new challenges to create new value that is beyond the act of writing, instead of focusing only on technologies derived from writing instruments as we have been doing, guided by our Purpose, "Our Creations Inspire Creativity."