Company history

Bic is a household name, synonymous with a disposable age.

FEW companies can say that they are responsible for changing the everyday habits of billions of people throughout the world, but the French company Bic, founded in 1950 is one that can.

The ballpoint pen came first. The original biros - named after Lazlo Biro, their Hungarian inventor - were expensive and difficult to use. Baron Marcel Bich, the owner of a small office supplies company, brought together French and British scientists to refine and modify* the design. He negotiated the rights to produce and sell the pen with Biro. Production of the Bic "Crystal" began in 1953. The "Crystal" had a clear blue plastic tube and a visible ink supply which sufficient to draw a line three kilometres long.

Sales rose from around 50,000 a week in the first year to a quarter of a million a day by 195q. Today sales of Bic writing instruments total more than 20 million a day in 160 countries.

Bich was not content with a one-product business and wanted to find other throwaway ideas. In 1972 came the disposable lighter.

It is another success story which made Bic world leaders in the daily sales of disposable lighters now numbering almost 4 million.

Bic's winning formula was a combination of simplicity of production and reliability; the company claims that its lighters will work 3,000 times compared with competing brands' 1,000.

The company used healthy profits to invest in its third major product range - the throwaway razor - in 1975. It now contests market leadership with Gillette. " Bic subsequently diversified further - into windsurfing boards and fashion - but the three original throwaway' ideas remain its success stories.

synonymous with a disposable age: [Bic] represents our fast-moving world

to refine: improve

to modify: make small changes
Gillette: major manufacturer of razors and toiletries

Ex 8. Read the text again and complete this company history.

1950 The company was founded.

1950-53 Lazlo Biro invented the first pen. Marcel Bich__________and _________ the design. Bich negotiated with Biro to______________.

1953 Production of the___________began.

1956 Sales of the biro rose to__________.

1972 Bic invented___________________.

1975 Bic invented___________________.

NOWBic sells___________ballpoint pens per day. Bic sells___________disposable lighters per day. Bic and_____________ are leaders in the market for disposable razors.

Ex 9. Work in pairs and discuss

1. Are disposable products popular in your-country?

2. What disposable products do you use and why?

3. Are disposable products good for the environment?

Ex 10. Choose three of these companies.

BMV Coca-Cola NIKE Levi Strauss & Co. Microsoft

Write what you know about:

1. What each company produces and provides?

2. Where the company started?

3. Where the company operate?

4. Who its main competitors?

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