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Since overseas travel may not be on your list of things to do in the short term, join me for “armchair visits” to fine pen manufacturers worldwide. Today Stein, Germany, is the stop and Faber-Castell—the oldest family-run writing tool manufacturer in the world—is the focus.

What makes Faber-Castell unique among pen makers? “Faber-Castell prides itself on rediscovering products from the past and reinventing them for the present featuring timeless design and modern technology,” shares Count Charles von Faber-Castell, Head of Premium at Graf von Faber-Castell. “We create extraordinary writing instruments that are truly unique thanks to masterly craftsmanship and the use of natural materials.”

Manufactory location: Headquartered in Stein, Germany, Faber-Castell maintains production locations in ten countries and sells in 120 countries around the world. World headquarters, Stein; USA headquarters, Cleveland, Ohio.

The founder and date of Foundation: Kaspar Faber in 1761.

Current CEO: Stephen Leucyl (new in 2020).

Is there anything unique about the manufactory? Faber-Castell has used the same facilities since its founding. The company headquarters includes a historic medieval-style castle built in 1906 by Ottilie and Alexander von Faber-Castell.

In “normal” times, are visitors welcomed at your facility? Tours are available twice a week at the Stein headquarters. The Faber-Castell Experience consists of four attractions: plant visit, the castle, the museum and the shop.

Number of employees: worldwide employs 8,000 employees.

Craftsmanship: Though founded on pencils, Faber-Castell expanded over the generations to include a full line of fine writing instruments and is known, in part, for its use of precious materials (gold, silver and platinum; diamonds) and natural elements such as fine and exotic hardwoods: Pernambuco, ebony, Grenadilla, Macassar and pear wood.

Iconic product:  The Perfect Pencil. Its platinum-plated cap combines everything important for writing, taking notes and sketching and includes an integrated sharpener. To ensure the pencil is still comfortable to hold even after frequent sharpening, the cap serves as an extension.

The most popular product: a limited edition Pen of the Year collection, produced annually since 2003.

Number of writing instruments produced annually: Over 2 billion pencils per year.

How Faber-Castell reaches of corporate responsibility?

-Forestry Project in Brazil: Utilizing up to 150,000 tons of wood every year, Faber-Castell is the world’s largest single producer of wood-cased pencils. With an increase in product demand and global responsibility in mind, it developed a forestry project almost three decades ago. What once was approximately 24,000 acres of wasteland in Prata, Brazil, is now home to millions of Pinus Caribaea trees that collectively grow about 20 cubic meters of wood every hour. Growing its own wood guarantees a sustainable supply for the future and protects the diversity of ecosystems and genetic diversity. 

-Certified Sustainable Forestry (FSC): In 2008 Faber-Castell joined the WWF Global Forest & Trade Network with a mission to progress forward in its commitment to sustainability. Just two short years later, more than 95% of the wood used by the entire Faber-Castell company is FSC certified; the remaining comes from alternatively certified and sustainable forest management.

-Positive Carbon Footprint: A significant focus of Faber-Castell’s global responsibility is on the fight against climate change. The company fulfills this responsibility by monitoring the total carbon dioxide emissions that it produces: the carbon footprint.

With a forestry project active in Brazil for almost three decades, a scientific study carried out by TÜV Rheinland® in 2012 confirmed that the Faber-Castell forests in Prata are helping to reduce greenhouse gases. The untouched pine trees bind significantly more C02 than the company emits on a global level.

Along with its forestry projects, the company also led the fight against CO2 in Stein, Germany, as pioneers in hydroelectricity and in the use of eco-friendly varnishes.

How does Faber-Castell make the world a better place? In March 2000, Faber-Castell and the IG Metall trade union ratified an agreement that applies in all countries. The charter includes, among other things, a ban on child labor, a guarantee of safe and hygienic working conditions, and equal opportunities and treatments, regardless of race, religion, gender or nationality. An independent committee checks at regular intervals that the terms are being complied with.

As one of the world’s oldest industrial companies, Faber-Castell has long shown a high degree of social commitment. As far back as the mid-19th century it set up various social schemes for its employees and their dependents, including one of the first company health insurance programs and one of the first kindergartens in Germany; it also founded schools and built housing for the factory workers. 

Then as now, the wellbeing of children plays a particularly important role for Faber-Castell. For this reason, Anton Wolfgang Graf von Faber-Castell (8th generation) set up a children’s fund foundation in 2001. Since then it has been supporting humanitarian children’s aid projects, in kindergartens, schools, children’s hospitals and orphanages and, above all, in developing countries. The “Little Flower” project, for example, is dedicated to the care and support of young and adult patients in a small village in northern India. Thanks to donations from the Graf von Faber-Castell Children’s Fund Foundation, bunk beds were built, mattresses bought and the furniture improved. Teaching materials were also purchased.

“Faber-Castell’s history is more than our products: it is how we live out our brand in the world we live in. We cherish the past 250 years and strive for a better future,” according to a company spokesperson.

I have been in the publishing industry for over 20 years and have written extensively about writing instruments, watches, jewelry and accessories for consumer and trade

I have been in the publishing industry for over 20 years and have written extensively about writing instruments, watches, jewelry and accessories for consumer and trade magazines. During this time I have visited many of the world’s most prestigious writing instrument and watch manufacturers, and I particularly enjoy interviewing artists, designers and corporate executives to understand their motivations and perspectives. I have served as editor for various luxury publications, and am a former owner of Pen World magazine and editor of Stylus magazine and the Stylus Annual, a yearly compendium of the major pen brands—their histories, news and products. I have been a keynote speaker at a variety of collector events and trade shows, and I have been quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and International Herald Tribune, among others, for my expertise in writing instruments and timepieces. I am currently managing editor at iW magazine and owner of Nancy Olson, Ink., a marketing company based in Houston.