Kokuyo Camlin Ltd., is an Indian stationery manufacturing company based in Mumbai.[7] The company shares profits with Kokuyo [ja] of Japan, which holds around 51% stake in Kokuyo Camlin.[2][8]

Kokuyo Camlin Ltd.
FormerlyDandekar & Co.
Camlin Ltd.
Company typePublic
IndustryStationery
Founded1931; 93 years ago (1931) [1]
FateAgreement with Kokuyo Co. Ltd. of Japan to share profits (2012)[2]
Headquarters,
Area served
South Asia
Key people
Dilip Dandekar (Chairman) [3]
ProductsArt materials, writing implements, office products
Number of employees
1095 (in 2023)
Websitekokuyocamlin.com
Kokuyo Co., Ltd.
FormerlyKuroda Kokkodo Co., Ltd.[4]
Company typeKabushiki gaisha
IndustryStationery (primary), Office furniture, video games (former)
Founded1905; 119 years ago (1905) [5]
FounderZentaro Kuroda
Headquarters,
Area served
Asia, North America
Key people
Hidekuni Kuroda (President) [6]
ProductsStationery, office products, office furniture
Number of employees
6825 (Dec 2021)
Websitekokuyo.com

The company commercialises a wide range of products related to art materials, writing implements and office goods.[7]

Former logo of Kokuyo Camlin

History

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Camlin was established in 1931 by D. P. Dandekar and his brother G. P. Dandekar[9] starting operations as "Dandekar & Co." with "Horse Brand" Ink powders and tablets in 1931,[1] and shortly started producing "Camel ink" for fountain pens. It was incorporated as a private company in 1946, and then turned into a public limited company in 1998.

In 2011, Japanese stationery major, "Kokuyo Co. Ltd", acquired a 50.74% stake in Camlin,[8] the leading Indian manufacturer by then. Kokuyo paid 366 crore for the acquisition. Dilip Dandekar continued as chairman and managing director of the company. The deal intended to facilitate the entry of Kokuyo products, mainly paper and office stationery into the Indian market. On the other hand, Camlin aimed to increase its exports to other countries.[2]

At the moment of the deal, Camlin had more than 2,000 products, mainly pencils, pastels, inks and markers. Also, Kokuyo retained the Camlin (writing implements and office side) and Camel (art materials side) brands.[10]

Kokuyo Japan

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Kokuyo Co., Ltd. (コクヨ株式会社, Kokuyo Kabushiki Gaisha) is a Japanese manufacturing company of stationery, office furniture, and office equipment. Kokuyo was established in Japan, in 1905 by Zentaro Kuroda, as "Kuroda Ledger Cover Shop" that made covers for Japanese-style account ledgers (wacho).[1][4] In 1914, the company name changed to Kuroda Kokkodo, and the manufacture of accounting slips, invoices, duplicate copybooks, and letter paper began. The company began using the current name "Kokuyo Co., Ltd." in 1961.[4]

In May 2011, Kokuyo S&T Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Kokuyo, acquired a 50.74% stake in Camlin Ltd.[2]

Products

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Kokuyo Camlin brands are Camlin (writing implements) and Camel (art materials).

Colour products include: Camel Artist Water Colour Tubes, Camel Artist Acrylic Colours, Camel Artist Oil Colours, Camel Artist Oil Pastels.

The range of products includes:[1][7]

Type Products
Writing implements Fountain pens, inks, pencils, mechanical pencils, marker pens, highlighters, brush pens
Art materials Modelling clay, colored pencils, charcoals, crayons, oil pastels, acrylic paints, oil paints, watercolors, brushes, canvas, acrylic spray
Office Erasers, rulers, glue, scissors, geometry sets, correction pens, drawing books, notebooks

Kokuyo Co. brands include: Campus (notebooks, paper), Dot liner (tape glue),[10][4] Harinacs (stapleless staplers), Kadokeshi (multi-corner erasers), Gloo (adhesive products).[4]

Range of products manufactured by Kokuyo includes:[11]

Type Products
Office supplies Notebooks, paper, staplers, correction tapes, erasers, glue, files, binders
Writing implements Ballpoint pens, mechanical pencils, marker pens
Furniture Desks, tables, chairs, cabinets

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "About Kokuyo Camlin". Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "Japan's Kokuyo to buy Camlin in Rs 366 cr deal". The Times of India. 31 May 2011. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Board of Directors". Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e "About Kokuyo - Initiatives and History". Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Kokuyo Corporate Data, December 2021". Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  6. ^ "GlobalData- Kokuyo Co., Ltd: Overview". Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  7. ^ a b c "GlobalData- Kokuyo Camlin Ltd: Overview". Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Kokuyo completes buyout of 51% in Camlin". Business Standard. 20 January 2013. Archived from the original on 31 March 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  9. ^ Limca Book of Records. Bisleri Beverages Limited. 2001. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Japan's Kokuyo to buy majority stake in Camlin". Business Standard. 20 January 2013. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  11. ^ Kokuyo Archived 2024-03-30 at the Wayback Machine on Japan Products, 2018-09-17
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