German Pens
In 2021 alone, Germany exported products worth $2.02 trillion. Among the country’s largest exported goods are machinery products, holding 10.44% of the global market share (Atlas of Economic Complexity). This remarkable export performance not only reflects the nation’s robust machinery sector but underscores Germany as an economic powerhouse.
One specific industry that stood out to me was the pens market. While hovering my mouse to explore various blocks representing different industries, I was surprised to find pens among machinery products such as computers, centrifuges, and transmission shafts. Why are pens considered part of the machinery sector, I asked myself. And how is something as seemingly simple as a pen competing against the precision and technology of other machinery products? As I delved deeper into my research, I discovered that Germany is a major exporter of pens, third after China and Japan, respectively. It has a gross export of $810 million and holds 12.77% of the global market share in the industry. Pens also encompass more specific categories, such as fountain pens, ballpoint pens, and mixed pencil types like colored pencils.
The history of pen production can be traced back to the Industrial Revolution. Although Germany lagged behind many European countries, it quickly caught up as it was rich in natural resources such as coal and iron. More specifically, iron played a crucial role in manufacturing the nibs of fountain pens. Manufacturing pens is a complex process, as efficiency, precision, and consistency must be ensured in each finished product. This intricate process elevated fountain pens to become the new status symbol among the elites in the 19th century.
While Germany faced many economic setbacks in both World Wars and the Great Depression, the pen industry showed incredible resilience. For example, the fountain pen evolved with the changing preferences of consumers and transitioned into ballpoint pens, selling features such as convenience and affordability. Today, the pen industry continues to innovate with different varieties and functionalities. Specifically, sustainable pens made with recycled materials respond to the environmental concerns of modern consumers. Brands like LAMY, Montblanc, Pelikan, and Faber-Castell are the global standards of quality and are synonymous with excellence in the market. The industry has also benefited from the COVID-19 pandemic given the increase in leisure time.
Overall, I am excited to purchase some of these German brands as souvenir gifts. I want to share a part of German culture and modern innovation with my friends and family.
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