History of Pelikan
1838
In 1832 chemist Carl Hornemann founded his own colour and ink factory in Hanover Germany. Pelikan considers the 28th of April 1838 as the founding date, as it was the date of the very first price list. All company anniversaries are therefore based on this date.
In 1832 chemist Carl Hornemann founded his own colour and ink factory in Hanover Germany. Pelikan considers the 28th of April 1838 as the founding date, as it was the date of the very first price list. All company anniversaries are therefore based on this date.
1842
On the 15th of June, Hornemann purchased some property in the Hainholz area of Hanover. The idea was to start production on a larger scale after previously having to cook and press the ink in a farmyard 30 km away from Hanover.
1863
1881
The production halls were enlarged. The company employed an additional 39 people and Fritz Beindorff. It was his job to visit customers in Austria, Russia and Italy.
1895
Fritz Beindorff married Günther Wagner’s oldest daughter in 1888 and took over the company. Office products for copying, stamping, sticking and erasing were added to the assortment of the time. Due to the vast additions to the product line, the production halls underwent large expansion.
1896
Pelikan started to produce Indian ink. Foreign companies that were at that stage dominating this market segment could not compete.
1901
This year saw the birth of Pelikan’s famous ink series 4001. In the previous year the companies 236 strong workforce achieved an amazing turnover of 1 million Gold Marks. 1904 saw the introduction of “Pelikanol” – a white adhesive paste. Up to the 1960’s this product was a revolution in sticking paper.
1906
1912
Pelikan has been supporting the preparation of Art classes for years now. This was documented in the magazine entitled “Der Pelikan” that appeared for the first time in 1912. In this magazine, the opinions and ideas of well-known artists and teachers from Germany, and abroad, were published in the opening column of each edition. It showcased art lessons, techniques, materials and different art experiences. The magazine was published up to 1971.
1913
This year was the company’s 75th anniversary. The factories size was doubled and 1057 people were now employed. The turnover increased to 4.4 million Gold Marks.
1929
1931
Pelikan released its first water colour paint box under the description 735 D/12. It was the first time that opaque watercolours became available to school pupils. It replaced the then popular transparent watercolours. The paint box was first Yellow on the outside with a coloured stripe and White on the inside. This was slightly modified in 1950. It was Pelikan’s water colour paint box that has accompanied most German pupils through their school days.
1934
A cheaper version of the Pelikan fountain pen, now known as “model 100”, was released under the product description “Rappen”. A mechanical pencil was also released carrying the Pelikan brand name. In addition, this year saw the first release of PLAKA – the hobby/decoration paint that has remained popular even until now.
1938
The 100th year anniversary catalogue was designed by professor O.H.W. Hadank, the same man who redesigned the Pelikan logo to the shape that it would remain for the next 60 years. 3700 employees celebrated throughout Pelikan factories in Hanover, Vienna, Danzig, Milan, Barcelona, Bucharest, Sofia, Warsaw, Budapest, Zagreb, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago de Chile as in many of the delivery facilities abroad. The Pelikan fountain pen model 100N was released.
1950
1960
The Pelikan school fountain pen “Pelikano” was introduced into the marketplace. This product was developed with the assistance of handwriting educators and expertise fountain pen constructors. The advantages of its ink cartridge filling system and ergonomic form were so popular, that in months it became the most popular school fountain pen - always finding recommendation from teachers.
1972
Pelikan produced its first ink eradicator under the name “Tintentiger”. It was praised because it was an easy and clean method of erasing Royal Blue ink. In 1974 the name was changed to “Pelikan Tintenblitz” and in 1977 it became “Super-Pirat”. It is the most sold ink eradicator in Germany.
1973
1974
Pelikan developed the simplified Handwriting for beginners in collaboration with educators from this field of expertise. It was here where the company first displayed its educational competence regarding Handwriting. Due to this, the role of the Pelikano fountain pen became even more vital.
1978
The companies legal form is changed from a GmbH into a AG (= with shares). The shares were divided within the Beindorff family and 46 other owners. The company’s balance sheet added up to DM 607.8 million. The company’s product range was extended adding a wide range of Hobby and Game Products. There were also subsidiary companies producing office printers, projectors, data carriers, technical drawing aids and cosmetic products.
1982
The excessive expansion of the product range and a take-over of the Photocopier Company Lumoprint in Hamburg finally resulted in insolvency. A reverse split of the shares in a ratio of 10:1 took place and Pelikan was taken over by Condorpart (Switzerland) in 1984. The company based mainly in Hanover was separated into various sub companies and parts were sold. Operations were from then onwards run by Pelikan International (later Pelikan Holding) in Switzerland. The Pelikan Holding AG – Zug/ Switzerland started trading on the Swiss stock exchange in 1986.
1993
In Autumn 1993 Pelikan’s first Limited Edition (based on the 800 series) is released under the name “Blue Ocean”. It was made in a Blue transparent colouring. A total of 5000 fountain pens were produced – 1000 were sold in an set with an additional ballpoint pen.
1995
The assortment of printing products, inkjet cartridges etc. ended up becoming a separate division of distribution in 1994 which was then eventually sold to the American company Nucote in 1995.
1996
GOODACE SDN BHD, a company owned by Hooi Keat Loo from Malaysia, took over the majority of Pelikan Holding shares. Two years later the XVI Commonwealth games took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. To mark the occasion, the Pelikan Limited Edition Kuala Lumpur was released.
2000
Being one of the largest suppliers for retailers and superstores in Germany, Pelikan in this year resumed the distribution of products from Pelikan Hardcopy. In doing so, Pelikan yet again began selling products representing all individual areas of its core competence.
2003
On the 17th of March the company moved to its new office building on the Werftstrasse in Hanover. At around the same time, 125 years after its initial registration – the design of the Pelikan logo has been altered and modified.
2005
On 1st October, the company Geha-Werke GmbH, Garbsen, dealing in modern presentation technology and office shredders, merged with the Pelikan Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, Hannover. Geha enjoys the status of an independent division, operating worldwide with its own marketing department, sales force and repair service.
2007
In January the Pelikan International Corporation Berhad (PICB), Malaysia announced that an Extraordinary General Meeting approved the acquisition of Pelikan Hardcopy Holding AG which henceforth legally belongs to the Pelikan Group. The acquisition had already been contractually regulated on 6th October 2006. Over a decade ago, the Hardcopy business had been separated from the Group by the Pelikan Holding AG, a subsidiary of the Pelikan International, in the course of restructuring measures. Pelikan introduces the technology center for developing inkjet products in Wetzikon in Switzerland. The first product developed in this hotbed of ideas is the PowerPad.
2008
The innovative learn-to-write system griffix® is being introduced. griffix® is the first holistic product concept to consistently accompany the process of learning to write from the very beginning.
Apart from the "red dot design award" Pelikan received the desirable ISPA award for the griffix® product row at the Paperworld in Frankfurt.
2008
Another birthday child within the Pelikan family is the Geha brand. Geha turns 90.
2008
Pelikan celebrates its 170th birthday on the 28th of April 2008. The birthday celebrations are accompanied by numerous activities for commerce and consumers under the motto "170 years Pelikan". The historic museum in Hannover offers a comprehensive review of 170-years of Pelikan history with the exhibition "Pelikan - a company does history".
2009
Pelikan on a new course with an expanded fleet with Pelikan PELIFIX® and Pelikan blanco® Pelikan has always been a force for innovation and a highly competent pioneer in the gluing and correcting sector. With the brands Pelikan PELIFIX® for gluing and Pelikan blanco® for correcting, the products are available on the German, Austrian and Swiss market again.
2010
Half a century of Pelikano: the fountain pen from the long- established Pelikan company celebrates its 50th anniversary. The Pelikan company will have cause for celebration in 2010: the time-tested Pelikano school and junior fountain pen will be 50 years old! To mark this anniversary, a trendy new design version of the classic will appear in the colours red, blue and green.
2010
Acquisition of Herlitz AG. Pelikan International Corporation Berhad acquires Herlitz AG incl. the Logistikzentrum Falkensee.
Pelikan developed the simplified Handwriting for beginners in collaboration with educators from this field of expertise. It was here where the company first displayed its educational competence regarding Handwriting. Due to this, the role of the Pelikano fountain pen became even more vital.
1978
The companies legal form is changed from a GmbH into a AG (= with shares). The shares were divided within the Beindorff family and 46 other owners. The company’s balance sheet added up to DM 607.8 million. The company’s product range was extended adding a wide range of Hobby and Game Products. There were also subsidiary companies producing office printers, projectors, data carriers, technical drawing aids and cosmetic products.
1982
The excessive expansion of the product range and a take-over of the Photocopier Company Lumoprint in Hamburg finally resulted in insolvency. A reverse split of the shares in a ratio of 10:1 took place and Pelikan was taken over by Condorpart (Switzerland) in 1984. The company based mainly in Hanover was separated into various sub companies and parts were sold. Operations were from then onwards run by Pelikan International (later Pelikan Holding) in Switzerland. The Pelikan Holding AG – Zug/ Switzerland started trading on the Swiss stock exchange in 1986.
1993
In Autumn 1993 Pelikan’s first Limited Edition (based on the 800 series) is released under the name “Blue Ocean”. It was made in a Blue transparent colouring. A total of 5000 fountain pens were produced – 1000 were sold in an set with an additional ballpoint pen.
1995
The assortment of printing products, inkjet cartridges etc. ended up becoming a separate division of distribution in 1994 which was then eventually sold to the American company Nucote in 1995.
1996
GOODACE SDN BHD, a company owned by Hooi Keat Loo from Malaysia, took over the majority of Pelikan Holding shares. Two years later the XVI Commonwealth games took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. To mark the occasion, the Pelikan Limited Edition Kuala Lumpur was released.
2000
Being one of the largest suppliers for retailers and superstores in Germany, Pelikan in this year resumed the distribution of products from Pelikan Hardcopy. In doing so, Pelikan yet again began selling products representing all individual areas of its core competence.
2003
2005
On 1st October, the company Geha-Werke GmbH, Garbsen, dealing in modern presentation technology and office shredders, merged with the Pelikan Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, Hannover. Geha enjoys the status of an independent division, operating worldwide with its own marketing department, sales force and repair service.
2007
In January the Pelikan International Corporation Berhad (PICB), Malaysia announced that an Extraordinary General Meeting approved the acquisition of Pelikan Hardcopy Holding AG which henceforth legally belongs to the Pelikan Group. The acquisition had already been contractually regulated on 6th October 2006. Over a decade ago, the Hardcopy business had been separated from the Group by the Pelikan Holding AG, a subsidiary of the Pelikan International, in the course of restructuring measures. Pelikan introduces the technology center for developing inkjet products in Wetzikon in Switzerland. The first product developed in this hotbed of ideas is the PowerPad.
2008
Apart from the "red dot design award" Pelikan received the desirable ISPA award for the griffix® product row at the Paperworld in Frankfurt.
2008
Another birthday child within the Pelikan family is the Geha brand. Geha turns 90.
2008
Pelikan celebrates its 170th birthday on the 28th of April 2008. The birthday celebrations are accompanied by numerous activities for commerce and consumers under the motto "170 years Pelikan". The historic museum in Hannover offers a comprehensive review of 170-years of Pelikan history with the exhibition "Pelikan - a company does history".
2009
Pelikan on a new course with an expanded fleet with Pelikan PELIFIX® and Pelikan blanco® Pelikan has always been a force for innovation and a highly competent pioneer in the gluing and correcting sector. With the brands Pelikan PELIFIX® for gluing and Pelikan blanco® for correcting, the products are available on the German, Austrian and Swiss market again.
2010
Half a century of Pelikano: the fountain pen from the long- established Pelikan company celebrates its 50th anniversary. The Pelikan company will have cause for celebration in 2010: the time-tested Pelikano school and junior fountain pen will be 50 years old! To mark this anniversary, a trendy new design version of the classic will appear in the colours red, blue and green.
2010
Acquisition of Herlitz AG. Pelikan International Corporation Berhad acquires Herlitz AG incl. the Logistikzentrum Falkensee.