How China made ballpoint pens six times cheaper to manufacture in Bangladesh.
Econo, Matador, GQ – these names have etched themselves into the annals of Bangladesh’s stationery history, representing far more than mere brands. They symbolise a tradition of writing excellence that predates even the standardisation of language – the humble ballpoint pen.
Within their sleek casings, ballpoint pens encapsulate affordability, accessibility, and the timeless convenience of quick note-taking. As our hands effortlessly guide them across the paper, these unassuming instruments evoke a sense of simplicity. Unlike their gel counterparts, prone to smudging, or the elaborate elegance of fountain pens, ballpoints offer a humble functionality.
Yet, beneath this veneer of simplicity lies a world of intricate craftsmanship and technological sophistication. Contrary to their outward appearance, the production of their minuscule components is a feat of engineering complexity, and a challenge for most nations.
Craftsmanship Behind the Simplicity
Ballpoint pen tips house a minuscule ball within a socket, resembling the mechanism of a roll-on deodorant when observed under a microscope. One end opens into an ink reservoir, and the other end exposes the ball. The balls of the pen are made of materials like tungsten carbide due to their rigidity, machinability, corrosive and abrasive resistance, and surface uniformity, all highly necessary to the formation of the tip which is only 0.5 mm in measurement. Moreover, the foremost notch that it resides on measures only 0.4mm, making the manufacturing process an increasingly challenging endeavour. The intricate process of crafting, seating, and ensuring the durability of the ballpoint tip demands meticulous attention and specialised machinery, catering to extremely high precision and accuracy, alongside high-quality, wear-resistant metal. Most of the manufacturing process is automated and mechanised, with only about 2 minutes of actual human interaction involved. However, despite the low retail price of ballpoint pens, the production process for tips is both laborious and expensive. Investing in such intricate production methods often fails to yield the desired returns, deterring not only private companies but entire nations from entering the market.
Global Competence in Production
Switzerland’s involvement in ballpoint pen tip production stems from the precision engineering process, a tradition of excellence, innovative capabilities, a skilled workforce, and a global reputation for quality. Swiss manufacturers require around twenty steps to create a single pen. Japan invests in this field due to its technological expertise, commitment to high standards, innovative research, and renowned brands like Pilot and Uni-ball. The dedication of these countries to producing top-tier ballpoint pen tips bolsters their global reputation and competitiveness.
Despite its reputation as the ‘world’s factory’, China, all the way until 2017, relied on imports for ballpoint pen tips because the country didn’t possess the advanced alloys and machines necessary to make a high-quality pen ball and socket, primarily due to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) lack of innovation. However, former Premier Li Keqiang recognised and addressed the issue and focused on the need to reduce dependency on imports. Consequently, China embarked on a project to develop these components domestically. Significant advancements in precision engineering and metallurgy enabled China to achieve self-sufficiency in this critical area, producing 40 billion ballpoint pens each year, further proving its growing technological capabilities. Cheap labour and access to raw materials sped up production.
It may surprise many to learn that only three countries in the world possess the capability to produce the tips of ballpoint pens. Switzerland and Japan have long been known for this craft, and more recently, China has joined their ranks.
Global Competition, Local Benefits
Annual ballpoint pen sales in Bangladesh amount to approximately BDT 500 crores. Bangladeshi manufacturers such as GQ and Matador import most raw materials from Saudi Arabia, Germany, Belgium, Korea, China, and India. Importing allows Bangladeshi manufacturers to focus more on distribution keeping prices low while ensuring cost-effective, high-quality production.
A ballpoint pen in 1995, when tips were made only in Switzerland and Japan, would cost around BDT 5. Adjusted for inflation, that is around BDT 29 in today’s money. It is therefore quite surprising that despite inflationary pressures which have virtually increased the price of every commodity, ballpoint pens today, in 2024, still cost BDT 5, thanks to China offering cheap parts.
Whether China’s ballpoint pen tips are on par with Switzerland’s and Japan’s is a qualitative discussion. The focus should be on whether China’s presence in the market benefits countries like Bangladesh – developing nations with a high requirement for access to education tools and resources. This means Bangladesh has to make no compromises on manufacturing stationery that is affordable for all. Having China as a close trade partner for such efforts that are directly related to addressing the need for quality education supported by cheap and affordable knowledge tools, is paying huge dividends for our country.
China, becoming a nation from which we can import parts has significantly helped ensure low prices of ballpoint pens in Bangladesh.
Path to Economic Transition
The production of ballpoint pen tips exemplifies the intricate nature of modern manufacturing processes. Behind the journey of the ballpoint pen is a story of engineering ingenuity and economic strategy. As deceptively simple tools, ballpoints embody sophisticated technological advancements and global trade dynamics. That the production of ballpoint pen tips is mastered by only a handful of countries is testimony to the complexity and precision required in their manufacturing process.
China’s initiative to manufacture its own ballpoint makes one wonder whether it is time for Bangladesh to follow suit as well. As one of the fastest-growing economies of South Asia that is working to move away from imported goods, manufacturing ballpoint pens can be an excellent first step in reducing reliance on imports. By shifting focus towards developing domestic capabilities and investing in local innovation, nations such as ours can transform their stationery sectors. This would not only reduce dependency on imports but also stimulate sustainable economic growth in the country. As Bangladesh and similar nations transition towards self-sufficiency, nurturing a robust, diversified economy rooted in innovation and local production will be imperative for securing a prosperous future for generations to come.
