Pen Company of America, based in Garwood and the largest U.S. manufacturer of ballpoint pens, acquired Garland Writing Instruments and Ben-Art Manufacturing in two separate business transactions, the company announced on June 28.
Garland, based in Rhode Island, and Ben-Art, based in Connecticut, also manufacture ballpoint pens.
Colleen Shea, Greg Shea and Matt Shea from Pen Company of America in front of newly acquired Garland Writing Instruments. – PEN COMPANY OF AMERICA
Formerly known as Rotary Pen, PCA is a family-owned company established in 1928 and manufactures more than 40 million pens, pencils and markers annually.
Garland has manufactured metal writing instruments since 1927, and Ben-Art has been manufacturing metal accent pieces, such as clip, tips and bands, for ballpoint pens since 1954. Both companies will be relocated to the New Jersey manufacturing facility.
“The three companies’ history, in terms of dedication to USA manufacturing, product lines and customer base, is very similar,” said PCA Vice President of Sales Colleen Shea, great-granddaughter of PCA’s founder. “The ability to bring all three together in one location, and under one umbrella, will give customers a single source for USA-made writing instruments from economical plastic pens to high-end metal pens.”
PCA products are currently sold into the promotional product industry, retail, the U.S. government and the health care industry; and according to an announcement will now develop new avenues.
