Paper Mate
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Writing instruments |
| Founded | 1940 |
| Founder | Patrick J. Frawley |
| Headquarters | Oak Brook, Illinois , United States |
| Products | Pens, pencils, erasers, correction fluid |
| Parent | Sanford L.P. (Newell Brands) |
Paper Mate operates as a subsidiary of Sanford L.P., which is part of the Newell Brands family, focusing on the production of writing tools. Its main office is located in Oak Brook, Illinois, sharing space with other divisions within Newell Rubbermaid’s office products segment.
The brand's assortment features ballpoint and gel writing instruments, mechanical pencils, traditional wooden pencils, erasers, and correction fluid products.
History
In 1941, Patrick J. Frawley took ownership of a ballpoint pen components company that had defaulted on its loan. By 1949, The Frawley Pen Company had formulated an ink that dried immediately, leading to the introduction of the "Paper Mate" pen to utilize this innovation.
By 1951, sales reached 4 million units, with a team of 22 sales representatives visiting 2,400 retail locations over six weeks to promote the ballpoint pen. They demonstrated the quick-drying ink directly on store employees’ shirts and offered a $15 replacement guarantee if the ink failed to wash out.
In 1955, The Gillette Company purchased Frawley Pen Company for $15.5 million and established the Paper Mate Division. Gillette further broadened its stationery offerings by acquiring Liquid Paper and Waterman in 1980, integrating Paper Mate into its Stationery Products Group.
At the end of 2000, Newell Rubbermaid acquired Gillette’s stationery business and combined it with its Sanford Brands division. The distinctive double heart logo, created over five decades ago by employee Norman Holtzman, continues to represent Paper Mate as of 2024.
Products
Paper Mate provides an extensive selection of pens, pencils, and erasers available in multiple colors and styles.
Notable product milestones include the 1966 launch of the Flair felt-tip marker featuring fast-drying water-based ink and the introduction of the Eraser Mate line in 1979. During the 1980s, Paper Mate released the Replay 2000 pen equipped with erasable ink and a built-in rubber eraser.
Responding to environmental concerns, Paper Mate introduced biodegradable pens, pencils, and erasers in 2010. The product range grew further in 2012 with the worldwide debut of InkJoy, designed to improve everyday writing comfort. More recently, in 2017, Paper Mate unveiled the Clearpoint Color Lead Mechanical Pencil collection, strengthening its presence in the mechanical pencil category.
External links
- The Gillette Company at Encyclopedia.com: Paper Mate under Gillette ownership (1955–2000)