of 68
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1/68+ TRENDS HIGH TECH BUZZ THE COMPANY SHOPPING CULTURE
MAN ON THE STREET
I TESTED THEBIC COMFORT 4
SHAVER
INTERVIEWWithBruno Bich andMario Guevara
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
BIC AND GREEN
CULTURECarine Brancowitz,an illustrator hookedon BIC ballpoint pens
THE FIRST YEARLY MAGAZINE PUBLISHED BY BIC
N01//2011
A LOOK BACK OVER THE IT PENS OF 2010BIC FashionSPECIAL REPORT
BIC LIGHTERS: QUALITY AND SAFETY FIRST
FIND
INSIDEYO
UR
FREEGIFT
ABAG
HANGER
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Contents
+ TRENDS HIGH TECH BUZZ THE COMPANY SHOPPING CULTURE
Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Buzz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6The Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8CorporateGovernance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Advertising saga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
BIC Fashion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Sharp as a pen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Saety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
The Planet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Sustainable
Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
High-tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Man on the Street . . . . . . . . . . 5
Culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Shopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54Shareholders inormation . 56Last Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Bruno Bich and Mario GuevaraA look back at , a look orward to, the Groups presence in growingmarkets, its innovations, its social andenvironmental responsibility and more.
DUAL
INTERVIEW
BIC lighters: quality and saety irstLighters are subject to strict saetylegislation. Ours come in limitededitions and in multipurpose lighters!
Shavers,the BICDiferenceIn , the companyonce again oundways to innovatein the nonrefillableshaver segment.
BIC and greenBICs commitment to sustainabledevelopment is now part o everything
the Company does. A breakdown.
THISMO
NTHS
TEST
BY
GEORGESC.
I tested the BICComfort 4 shaver14
33 50
40 52
Interview with Carine BrancowitzAn artist who works exclusivelywith BIC pens.
Find yourfree giftinside.fi
Promotional Products
FOCUS ON
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AN ANNUAL REPORT THAT LOOKS LIKEA MAGAZINE?Once again, were adding innovation to ourcommunication. It reads like a magazine, in a convenientsize and with a news magazine layout thats easy to findyour way through, and shows of our avorite products, all to
celebrate the 6th
anniversary o the BIC Cristal ballpointpen. A magazine thats both simple and original, just likeour products. Along with the shareholders review, keyfigures and an interview with the Chairman o the BoardBruno Bich and CEO Mario Guevara, the editorial team hascome up a host o articles about BICs latest developments,how were innovating and our biggest success stories.
These di cult economic times were an opportunity tothink about the BIC model and to analyze the advertisingsaga thats been making headlines with the new
emarketing concept or TippEx. And then, becausei you try it once, youll be convinced, we asked onereporter to try shaving with the new BIC Comort shaver. Lastly, we bring you an interview with illustratorCarine Brancowitz who works exclusively with BICballpoint pens!
Enjoy the magazine,The Editorial Staf
EDITORIALNOW THATS CLEAR
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Buzz
I LIKE BICIn , BIC took stock o itsemployee commitment throughoutthe world. The survey showedthat 90% o employees are proudo the BIC brand 8% are anso the products and 7% believein the company values.
BEST OF
%o employees are
ans o the products
and%believe in company
values
SHAVERS:A VERYECODESIGNEDPAIRBIC Simply Soleil/MissSoleil and BIC SoleilEasy, new, tripleblade,
ecodesigned womensshavers or which BIChas yet again managed
to reduce the amount o rawmaterial used. The BICSimply Soleil/Miss Soleilsecological ootprint hasbeen reduced by 8% andBIC Soleil Easys by %,compared to the versionsfirst launched in Europe.
%in BIC Simply
Soleil ecological impact
%in
BIC Soleil Easy's
A ew examples o where BIC has let its mark
TIPP-EXYOUTUBE CAMPAIGN
The biggest story at backtoschool time this year wasthe Tipp-Ex A hunter shoots a bear viral campaign
on YouTube. It createdquite a buzz in . It wasdeveloped or the British,Italian, German and Spanishmarkets and brings a hunterace to ace with a bear.Viewers are given thechance to rewrite the end o
the story by typing in a word thatcorresponds to one o 42 diferent
endings! Its been viewed morethan 5 million times*
viewedmore than
mtimes *
* To end o March 2011.
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BIC ON HEALTHIn , BIC USA Inc. supportedthe Susan G. Komen or the CureFoundation, which works to fightbreast cancer. The companyscommitment will continue in ,with a total contribution o $,or and .
CARBON DISCLOSUREPROJECT: BIC IS MAKINGTHE PLEASURE LASTThe CDP Carbon DisclosureProject is an internationalorganization that representsa group o 5 major investorsand publishes a yearly report on
how 5 o the worlds biggestcompanies are integratingclimate change into theircorporate strategy. In 2010, orthe second consecutive year,BIC was among the top 20French companies, particularlyin its reduction o greenhousegas emissions.
PATRONAGEBIC IS MAKINGART HISTORY!
The project: catalog and digitize parto Frances national heritage in the
orm o letters and autographsrom Delacroix, Monet, Rodin, Gaugin
and other artists to provide access to themor the general public in the spring o .In order to do that, the INHA the Frenchnational institute or art history and BIC arecooperating to carry out the operation andmake these unique artiacts available onlineat www.inha.r.
,dollars incontributions
boxes o lettersbeing processed
BIC amongthe top
perorming
Frenchcompanies
BIC PHONESPEAKS TO THE PUBLICSince its launch in 8, BIC phone has met withcontinued success. This readytogo, rechargeablephone was developed in partnership with severaldiferent European operators. In , more than5,* units were sold in France, Spain andBelgium. And BIC phone got a make-over, a newdesign available in our un, bright colors. Alsoavailable in gold and red.
* Figures at end o December .Source Orange et Belgacom
more than,*
units sold inFrance, Belgium
and Spain
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Buzz
LIGHT MY FIREFOR CONCERTSMy BIC lighter is the iPhone andiPodTouch application eaturing thelegendary BIC lighter, available sinceearly . Some . million ans havedownloaded the My BIC lighterapplication, now a musthave accessoryor concertlovers. An Android version hasalso been launched on the North Americanmarket. Find out more at mybiclighter.com.
.million
downloads
BEST OFJUST WHATSNECESSARYGETS REWARDSIn , BIC was the only manuacturerto ofer a complete range o 16writing instruments with the NFEnvironnement (NF 400) Frenchecological certification. BIC has ounda winning philosophy create products,but only usingjust whats necessary,with the minimum amount o rawmaterials or evenincluding recycledmaterials, to makelong-lasting, qualityproducts.
ecocertified
products
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BIC SPORTThe Sur category has been the most innovative withthe launch o the BIC SUP 11'4'' ACS, a new board ora new way to sur stand up paddle (SUP). This boardmet with resounding success as soon as it was launched,particularly in the U.S. Its designed or use on both flatwater and waves, and this board in particular ofers thebest quality or the price on the entire market. Only eightmonths ater the board was introduced, its become a majorproduct in a sector with a bright uture.
BICCHOPPERBIC Consumer Products USA has teamed
up with Orange County Choppers (OCC),the amous motorcycle manuacturer. Whatbetter pairing or the BIC Flex mens shaverthan a specially designed chopper romOCC? The prototype was shown onthe popular American Chopper:Senior vs. Junior show in February. In August , the chopperwill be inducted into the SturgisMotorcycle Museum and Hall oFame in South Dakota.
2011BIC-OCC
Partnership
SHEAFFER INTENSITYTHE BIG BUZZIn 2010 a new collection o luxury pens waslaunched worldwide. Sheafer Intensitys cleanlines and elegant looks, combining comort andthe pleasure o writing, have made it the latestsensation. The Sheafer Intensity collectionincludes ountain pens, rollers and ballpoint pens.In New York the product launch was accompaniedby an advertising campaign in late , and
Sheafer Mexico organized a major public relationsevent in which they invited VIPs to come and try outthe new collection.
more than
,SUP sold
in
Available in
countries
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The Company
BIC means quality products and low prices.Overall, the Company's products are % cheaper than its directcompetitor brands. BIC is clearly the winner in this competition.
THE ANSWER
IN A CRISIS
BIC KIDS KIDCOULEURSet o 6 colored elt pensthat wash of skin and mostclothing.
0.18BIC CRISTALBIC has been continually perectingits worldrenowned classic Cristal
or 6 years.
0.16TIPP-EXMINI POCKETMOUSE5 meters o tape toinstantly and neatlymake corrections andrewrite.
1.23
6.67
0.14
BIC SELECTEASY CLICA revolutionary ountain penthat lets you change the inkcartridge in a snap.
BIC KIDS ECOLUTIONS EVOLUTION ultraresistant, colored pencils made rom recycledmaterial and NF Environment certified.
0.63
BIC BRITE LINER GRIPThe fluorescent highlighter with acomort grip comes in 5 diferent colors.
Source Nielsen. Prices noted during special ofers available in back-to-school sales in France rom August 1 to September 12, 2010, calculated per unit.
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EconoBIC
A BREAK INTHE CRISISFor back to school in France, BIC
rolled out operationEconoBIC insupermarkets andstationery stores.The more customersbuy, the more they get,by stocking up on itemsin the BIC, BIC Kids,TippEx and Velledaranges to receivea ree git.
What are we ofering?Games, educationalsotware, alarm clocks,a chocolate ondue setits a great way to getuseul products orchildren and adultsduring these tougheconomic times.
EVERYTH
ING
FOR
SCHOOL
FORON
LY
11.91
11.91
0.19
BIC CRISTAL FINEA fine point, perector learning how to write.
1.52BIC 4 COLOURSThis practical in pencomes in ashion colors.
BIC ECOLUTIONSEVOLUTIONAn extremely sturdy graphitepencil made rom recycled material.NF Environnement seal.
0.22
BIC MATIC STRIPESThis mechanical pencilwrites twice as long as agraphite pencil. Irresistiblyun stripes in this limitededition.
0.540.43
BIC VELLEDAWHITEBOARDMARKER 1721Erasable whiteboardmarkers.
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The Company
Against the backdrop o the economic crisis, BIC has done remarkablywell with an increase in sales o 5.%* in . The Baron Bichs
manuacturing philosophy o using just the necessary amount o raw
materials is just as pertinent today as ever. And the Company is alwaysstriving to provide the same high quality or customers around the world.
n the uncertain economicenvironment that developedcountries are experiencing,BICs economic model seems
to be just whats needed to meetchanges in consumer demand. Allthe classics are still on ofer, goodquality at the best prices, along withinnovative, useul products withreal added value.
Some figures to back that up? TheGroup sells million items aday: Combining quality with lowprices allows us to keep conqueringmarket shares, both in developedcountries and developing onessays BIC CEO Mario Guevara. In the company kept its headwell above water. Normalizedincome rom operations increasedby .% thanks to careul attention
to proitability, and at the same
time we continued investing inthe brand to ensure longtermsuccess, the CEO points out.Customers have ormed close tiesto the Company over the years, andit crosses generations BIC is parto the amily, everywhere and in allsectors o society.
3.2 M POINTS OF SALEIt should be said that the companysprices are very competitive.As Marie Saglio, BIC France
manager says BIC is thequality product at the right price.On the whole, the brandsstationery and shaver products are% less expensive than their directcompetitors brands.
RAW MATERIALS DOWNTO A MINIMUMIs there a big secret? Well, notreally; BIC products are designedrom the outset to use only theamount o raw materials thatsneeded, with nothing wasted.Look at BIC Cristal, it has abarrel because you have to hold it;its clear so you can see the levelo the ink; its as light as possibleand has a very simple cap. And
the whole thing can write or twokilometers, Chairman o theBoard Bruno Bich tells us. Hecontinues And millions o userslike it. BIC ofers products at pricesand in stores that are accessibleto everyone through some. million points o sale, romcorner stands to supermarkets, in6 countries. Its no surprise thenthat in the current crisis pricewaryconsumers are locking to thebrand.
BIC is thequality productat the right
price.
What is itthat people like so muchabout the brand?
Price-wary consumers are flocking to BIC.
*like-or-like comparison
I
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Meet
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than we ended , thanksto enhanced competitivepositions.
How do you still manage tocome out ahead given thecontinuing diicult economicsituation?
Bruno Bich: When timesare tough, we perorm even
better! smiling Were usedto ighting competitorswho are bigger than we are.
Exclusive InterviewBruno Bich, chairman o the Boardand Mario Guevara, CEO
Sales up by .%* in ,an increase o .% in Groupnet income, what is youranalysis o BICs progresscompared to ?
Mario Guevara: We hadparticularly good results in or consumer products;growth there was even strongerthan we expected. Im proud oevery category and what theyhave accomplished Stationery,Lighters, Shavers and
Promotional Products. Acrossevery geographic area ourteams have adapted to shits inthe market, and we have gainedmarket shares in our threecategories in both developedand developing countries.At the same time,we have managed to improvethe eiciency o our productiontools and increase proitability.We started stronger
Providing consistent qualityin our products throughoutthe world, wherever they aremanuactured, combined withthe right price, is the key. Ourconstant goal is to satisy ourcustomers retailers and ourconsumers by oering productsthat meet their everydayneeds or their desires. Theexperience o our customers
throughout the worldand the relationshipsthat we have orged
with them are also a realsource o strength.And all o this iscoordinated bytopquality management.At BIC, employeeshave the opportunity totake on responsibilities,grow their careers
and lourish. This is relectedin their engagement to BIC.
With BIC products, consumers always get more or their money, Chairman othe Board Bruno Bich tells us. With the economy still in diicult times, the Group,under the leadership o Mario Guevara, has managed excellent results in .
Whats their secret weapon?
INTERVIEW BY CHRISTOPHE VIDAL
*on a comparative basis.
The repeated satisfactionof our consumers is thefoundation of our brand'sstrength.Bruno BICH
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You acquired NorwoodPromotional Products andAntalis Promotional Products.Is their integration goingwell, and how are sales inAdvertising and Promotional
Products?
M.G: The teams workedhard to streamlineproduction, centralize theheadquarters, eliminatenonstrategic business activityand reorganize the low osupply rom Asia. At the same
time they have managed tostrengthen the brands andconsolidate the sales orce.However, the ull beneits othese eorts will not be realized
or another one to two years.As ar as products go, doesBIC still manage to stand outrom its competitors or itsinnovation and quality?
B.B: We certainly do. We alwayshave innovative and highquality products or consumersto enjoy, but at aordable
Meet
In which markets has theGroup done particularly well,and which ones need a littleboost?
M.G: We reached our objectives
in almost all our categoriesin most geographic areas.In developing countries,particularly in Latin America,sales increased by more than% or the third year in a row.Growth was strong in NorthAmerica 5% especially orlighters.
In Europe, business wasntas brisk, but we have gainedmarket shares. In these diiculteconomic times, customersare looking to BIC more
than ever because they knowthat our products oer anexcellent qualityprice ratio.Across all areas we havecontinued to invest in thebrand, which strengthens ourposition and paves the way oruture growth in some countrieslike Australia, Russia andBrazil.
prices. The BIC Flex shaverwith our new moveable bladetechnology, the BIC Easyhybrid shaver, the multipurpose BIC Megalighterand our new products
represented % osales in . Asor our classicproducts, ourconsumers havebeen telling us
or years thatthey know
they
cancounton us orexcellent qualityand consistentlyreliable products.
In , BIC wasrecognized or thetransparency o theinancial inormationit provides andor the qualityo its corporategovernance. What doyou have to say aboutthis very high praise?
Mario Guevara
Across every geographicarea and product categoryour teams have adaptedto shifts in the market.
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B.B: Ethics and transparentinancial inormation,especially or our individualshareholders, have been part
o the Groups values,since it became a listed
company. This meansthat BIC enjoys the
utmost trust romits partners.
BIC is alsoamong thetop Frenchcompanies
or includingsustainable
development intheir business
strategy. What areyour priorities or
?
M.G: Our sustainabledevelopment approach
is increasinglyintegrated at alllevels throughoutthe Group, and allo our employeeshave adopted its
principles. In we will continueto develop
products withenvironmental
beneits, todisplay ourecovalues
on ourpackaging
and the ecolabel in France,
BRUNO BICH AND MARIO GUEVARA FAVORITE COLORS AND STYLESWhats your absolute favorite BIC pen?Bruno Bich: the BIC Reaction Gel penMario Guevara: the BIC Briteliner Clic retractable highlighterWhich color in the BIC 4 Colors do you always use up first?B.B: blueM.G: blueWhich razor do you use to shave?B.B: the new BIC Flex 3, with three independent moveableblades thats been launched in France in the spring o 2011.M.G: BIC Flex our with moveable blades thats beenlaunched in the U.S. and is already number one in the mensnon-refillable, quadruple blade market.
and to implement our policy oexcellence in the actories whilereducing our CO emissionsand developing our employeesskills. A new barometer or will measure ourperormances and progresswith clearlydeined goals inwater and energy consumption,waste management and ISO in the actories, alsointegrating the BIC APPactivity. In parallel, we willpursue our commitment toenabling our consumers tomake responsible choices.
What message do you have orshareholders and employees?
B.B: First, I would like to
thank our shareholders whohave remained so loyal andthe many BIC employeeswho work to produce sae,high quality products everyday. We have a solid balancesheet, vast experience in ourmarkets and we design andmanuacture products that areconstantly improved and morecompetitive. Were continuing
to gain market shares, whichshows that our customers andconsumers trust us.
Would you like to addanything or the generalpublic?
B.B: Try our new products;I think you'll be quicklyconvinced by their excellentquality and reasonable price.Theyre in keeping withthe brands values simple,inventive and reliable, at theright price around the world.And these values are even moreimportant in economicallydiicult times.
NET SALES1,831.5 M
314.9 MNORMALIZED INCOMEFROM OPERATIONS
17.2%NORMALIZED IFO MARGIN
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Figures
9
+ .%AS REPORTED+ .%AT CONSTANTEXCHANGE RATES
+ .%ON A COMPARATIVEBASIS
%Europe
%North America
NET SALESin million euros
NET SALES 2010by geography
transparent accountingBIC
,.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURESin million euros
9
,.
%Developing markets
(Latin America, Oceania, Asia, Middle East and Africa)
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Europe North America and Oceania Latin America Middle East, Africa and Asia
NET SALES 2010by category
%Shavers
%Lighters
%Advertising and
Promotional products
%Stationery
%Other products
9,313
9,6952009
2010
WORKFORCEby geography
,
,
,
,
,
,
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Figures
NORMALIZED INCOME FROM OPERATIONSin million euros
GROUP NET INCOMEin million euros
9
+ .%AS REPORTED
.
.
GROUP
STATIONERY
LIGHTERS
SHAVERSADVERTISING AND
PROMOTIONALPRODUCTS
OTHERPRODUCTS
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
2009 2009 2009 20092010 2010 2010 2010
..
2009 2010
..
20092010
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NORMALIZED IFO MARGINin percent
FREE CASH FLOWAFTER ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS
in million euros
9
.
.
As part o the Grand Prix de laTransparence (Transparency Awards)organized by Labrador and theuniversity Sciences Po, BIC was chosenrom among the largest Frenchlisted companies and was awardedfirst prize in the Consumer Goods andHealth segment as well as the GrandPrize or Transparency, all itemsand all sectors combined.
* based on assumed consolidation o Norwood PP in . Figures not audited.
BIC RECOGNIZED FOR THETRANSPARENCY OF ITSFINANCIAL INFORMATION
GROUP
LIGHTERS
SHAVERS ADVERTISING ANDPROMOTIONAL
PRODUCTSSTATIONERY
.
.
.
..
.
.
.*
.
..
2009 2009 2009 2009 20092010 2010 2010 2010 2010
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Corporate Governance
06
06 09
07
BIC03
06
01
02 04 05
07 08
111009
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Bruno BICHChairman
Mario GUEVARADirector and CEO
Franois BICHDirector and Executive Vice President
MariePauline CHANDON-MOTDirector
John GLENDirector
Gilles PLISSONDirector
MarieHenriette POINSOTDirector
Frdric ROSTANDDirector
Pierre VAREILLEDirector
Socit MBD(2)Director
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
23
team
02 Franois BICHLighters
03 Ed DOUGHERTYStationery and Shavers
04Benot MAROTTEStationery
05Nicolas PAILLOTAdvertising and Promotional
Products
01 Mario GUEVARA
Chie Executive O cer
06Billy SALHAEurope
07Chris MILLSNorth America
08 Edgar HERNANDEZLatin America, Oceania, Asia,Middle East and Arica
02 Franois BICH
Executive Vice President
09MarieAime BICH-DUFOURLegal
10Franois EYSSETTEHuman Resources
11Jim DIPIETROFinance
09MarieAime BICH-DUFOUR
Executive Vice President
OFFICERS
OPERATIONS
John GLEN Chairman (1)
douard BICH Socit MBD
Pierre VAREILLE (1)
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Gilles PLISSON Chairman (1)
MarieHenriette POINSOTFrdric ROSTAND (1)
COMPENSATION ANDNOMINATION COMMITTEE
Award or Governance 2010BIC received top honors or perormanceo its corporate governing bodies, a prizeawarded by the French economic andfinancial magazine, Agefi as part o itsCorporate Governance Awards.
Independent. Bich amily holding company, represented by douard Bich.
DELOITTE & ASSOCISStatutory Auditors
GRANT THORNTONStatutory Auditors
BEASSubstitute Auditors
INSTITUT DE GESTION ETDEXPERTISE COMPTABLESubstitute Auditors
AUDITORS
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Advertisingsaga
Throughout , we have investedin our brand, particularly with theidea o ensuring uture growth, saysMario Guevara. In Brazil, where thestationery market is upandcoming, theBICool campaign is mainly targeted atteenagers. In Russia, the BIC shaver
has ads in subways and on the street.In France, the BIC ad eatured thereturn o Eric Cantona. Fiteen yearsater his irst ad or BIC, the companysought him out once again to promotethe BIC Recycle operation. With a nodto sustainable development, Cantona looks at his younger sel and saysI think whats really sensitive is theplanet. As or mysel, Im responsible.Raymond Poulidor, McEnroe andothers, BIC has had its share oexperience with VIPs. In South
Arica, Tendai Mtawarira, the rugbyplayer known as the Beast has been
the brand ambassador or the past years, says Edgar Hernandez, heado developing countries operations.And all o it has the same sidesplittinghumor ound in the interactive TippEx campaign that went viral onYouTube see the Buzz page.
SIMPLE, TO THE POINT ANDCHEEKYIn 95 the amous poster designerRaymond Savignac developed BICsfirst advertising campaign and nearlyten years later drew the brands littleboy. The deining characteristic oBICs communication is its abilityto stand out with a simple message,but one that makes sense, explainsBilly Salha, head o operations inEurope. Its simple, to the point and
sometimes cheeky, like the BICphone campaign in France, touting a
Ready to use mobile, seeking easy, nostringsattached relationship; and itsjust as likely to be activist like the BIC Good encouraging shaving yourhead to benefit a charity. The Groupalso works on making campaigns thatuse the brands basic values quality,perormance and the right price likethe BIC gives you more idea. BIC,
always going the extra mile or theirconsumers.
The Web: a dynamicmedium or BICTipp-Ex on YouTube, the 3rdseason of the French Perles du
Bac on Dailymotion, Facebookand YouTube, the special
Shave the Traders website.BIC is making a buzz on the web.Have a look.
BIC and advertising in ? Eric Cantona was back, more environmentally
responsible this time around, a hilarious Tipp-Ex concept went viralon YouTube, and the slogan BIC gives you more or your money
was heard round the world. An analysis.
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Trends
BIC products in D.
A LOOK BACK OVERTHE IT PENS OF 2010
Ballpoint pens, rollers, pencils, born yesterday or celebrating their 6thbirthdays like BIC Cristal, theyre all a hit around the world, hot colors andshapes, guaranteed better or the environment, with signature new technologySchoolchildren, businessmen and women, graphic designers, teachers,engineers, workers everyone has one handy.As the number one business in writing, BIC has sold more than millionballpoint pens since 5; thats enough ink to draw a line to the moon and back,more than times. How about that?
BIC
Fashion
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BIC 2 COLOURSPINK
Limited EditionWild about you
BIC 2 colors, pink:Boys and girls, when you get out your limited edition BIC Colours, youll turn some heads. Its the pen o the year. A perectpair with un colored ink girly pink and turquoise, at your service. Its a retractable ballpoint pen, with a medium point, pink barrel and clip. Everythingyou need
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BIC Ecolutions Evolution: did somebody say sustainable development? The eraser-tipped BIC Ecolutions Evolution graphite pencil is made
o 5% recycled material, part o the BIC Ecolutions range, newly expanded or . This wood-ree graphite pencil is made o synthetic resin.With a solid HB graphite lead, this pencil can stand up to being chewed on by children or adults. Like 5 other BIC products, it has been given theFrench NF Environment label. BIC Reaction: welcome to high-tech. The BIC Reaction will make it eel like the utures here already with a shockabsorbing system or optimal writing comort. Its retractable and has quality, quick-drying ink. For sensitive writers, the experience is a gentle one,
BIC REACTION
The pleasure is mine!
BIC ECOLUTIONSEVOLUTIONGRAPHITE PENCIL
Green is good
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and the pen lasts so long, about .8 km. On the technical side, the nickel silver point measures . mm; the cartridge is spring-mounted. And the height
o class, the metal cone is chrome plated and the barrel, colored to match the ink, is covered in a ull length grip. Youll be won over. The Ecolutionsversion is made o 74% recycled material. And so you dont waste a second o your time, BIC has made it easily refillable (in black and blue). Now thatssharp. Velleda marker:its the avorite erasable marker at back-to-school time. A range o colors, alcohol based inks, plastic barrel, .5 mm line width,especially made or dry erase boards. As popular with students as it is with teachers!
BIC
VELLEDA
MARKER
Hooray for back toschool!
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Trends
BIC Cristal : 6 years old in ! Happy birthday to BIC Cristal, the pen sold in over 6 countries. Its the best selling ballpoint pen in the world, and it
never goes out o ashion. It is still just as modern today, 6 years later. As i we needed to remind anyone about it, this classic ofers quality, quick-drying inkor smooth writing or km. The tungsten carbide ball point is perectly round and highly resistant. The medium point measures . mm and the line width.4 mm. The original, ingenious design means a hexagonal shape that wont easily roll o your desk. The barrel is transparent so you can easily see the levelo ink, and the cap and plug color match the ink color.
BIC CRISTAL
Still going strong!
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n the lightweight 5.8 g BIC Cristal pen, not a thing isunnecessary. Every part contributes to one sole purpose writing, or as long as possible, a minimum o km. Whichmeans that with one single BIC Cristal, the writer can
complete 986 Sudokus or write 56 post cards, about twice aslong as with nearly every competing product.
We guarantee the same qualityand ease o writing, to all ourusers, no matter where they arein the world, rom the beginningto the end o the pen, says BrunoBich. He adds, Because we
manuacture the ink, the points...,the balls, which we measuredown to the micron, ourselves we can produce this consistentlyexceptional quality every day or our millions o products. BICshightech procedures are careully monitored by strict, rigorousquality controls.
How does it happen? The pens ball points are made o a tungstencarbide powder. Theyre hardened in an oven where they becomeas hard as diamonds. Then theyre vitrified and ground to becomeextremely strong, perect spheres. Lastly, the ball point is insertedinto the point support and the precision checked to ensure thequality o the writing. BICs extensive technical knowledge
means the flow o ink is completely controlled, says PhilippeHerard, Industrial and R&D manager.
The Group is celebrating the 6th
anniversary o the BIC Cristal pen.This emblematic product marked the first conquest in the now widerange o stationery: ballpoint pens, ountain pens, rollers, mechanicalpencils, the BIC Ecolutions line, correction, marking and coloring
products, and not orgetting glue, scissors and more, the majority o themmade in BICs own plants. A close-up look at the secrets that go into
making pens unlike any others.
Sharpas apen
BIC means2 km of writing,
minimum.
After its manufacturing, thepoint is tested in order to checkall quality criteria throughvarious writing checks.
I
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Trends
MADE FORCREATIVITYIn the BIC Mark itmarker range broughtmore colors to kids andparents who like arts andcrats so that they can beeven more creative. For thelast backtoschool period,BIC innovated again andintroduced a grip versiono the Colours, anallinone ountain pen,a new line o rollers andan extended line o BICEcolutions, made romrecycled material.
60 YEARS OF BALLPOINT EXPERTISEInnovating since 5. The Group was born or R&D. Special teamswork to constantly improve products and ensure the high-level oquality BIC demands. Their latest innovation is Easy Glide ink.The result o five years o research, the newest generation o BICinks is opening new possibilitiesor consumers. They make or3% smoother writing, and arealready used in the added valuerange. And another advance onthe smooth writing ront, BIChas just launched larger pointson the models, Cristal Large.6 mm, Velocity .6 mm and Atlantis .6 mm. Another eat, theGroup has managed to up its markers cap-of time. This meansthey can sit uncapped without drying out or quite a lot longer
than their competitors. Thats good news or schoolchildren,and it really lives up to the slogan BIC gives you more or yourmoney.
We measurethe ball points downto the micron.
BIC Cristal: 60 years old already! A ballpoint pen sold in 160 countries.
BIC ONFACEBOOKA community o riendshas sprung up around BIC.In the United States, theFacebook BIC MarkItpage has nearly 50,000 ans.In France, the third seasono the viral Perles du Baccampaign has been viewed by, ans, and the Sheaferbrand has just made its veryown Sheafer Pen page onFacebook. A passion or BIC.
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ADVERTISING ANDPROMOTIONAL
PRODUCTS
the Groups4th category
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BICPRINTS YOUR
BRANDS
BIC has been present in the Advertising and Promotional Products marketsince the late 1960s with BIC Graphics writing instruments. Today BIC APP is the number 1supplier in the United States and number 2 in Europe. In 2010, BIC APP officially became
the 4th category at BIC, representing 20% of its sales.
ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS
Advertising and promotional products are one of the most effective and profitable
advertising choices. This sector has been impacted by the recent economical crisis,
explains Mario Guevara, CEO of BIC, but Advertising and Promotional Products remains
a market with strong potential for growth in mature economies and in the longer term,
it has a rosy future in growing economies.
SINCE 2007, BIC HAS ACQUIRED THREE COMPANIES
The business? It consists of printing logos or advertising messages to support a company's marketing
and media strategy, on items such as pens, clothes, bags, awards, calendars and drinkware. BIC has
been involved in promotional writing instruments since the late 60s, and they stepped up their
diversification in 2007 by acquiring Atchison Products, a North American company that prints and
distributes bags. In 2009, the time had come for European Antalis Promotional Products to join the
Group, followed by Norwood Promotional Products, the 2nd largest supplier in the United States of
non-apparel advertising and promotional products two acquisitions that provided BIC with major
new development potential.
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20 %OF SALES
AN AMBITIOUS MERGING PLAN
We wanted and were in a position to invest when things were slow, says Mario Guevara.
In 2010, in the face of the economic crisis, we put in place an ambitious plan to merge
their activities into our business, thereby consolidating BIC APP manufacturing and logistics
footprint, reduce costs and increase the efficiency of our operations worldwide. The plan
is expected to result in annualized savings of approximately 15 million euros.
While a leader in North America and Europe, BIC APP is also a significant
presence in Latin America, Australia, Africa and Asia (through its sourcing
activities). Every day, throughout the world the 34,000 distributors sell more
than 5 million BIC APP promotional products. Quality imprinting and on-
time delivery are the watchwords of the industry. The streamlining of the
range and reorganization of distribution are in the works.
Pens, clothing, bags, awards and drinkwarecan be printed with the logo or a messagefrom a company, something BIC is wellacquainted with already.
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If you try it once,
you'll beconvincedThe BIC bag hanger: the absolute must among your every day accessories.
HOW DO YOU USE IT? HOW DOES IT WORK?THE WHY AND HOW OF IT ALL
THE BAG HANGER IS A GEM OF AN ACCESSORYFOR HANDBAGSAt a restaurant, in a bar, at the office, at home, never again will your handbag
be left on the floor or a chair. With the BIC bag hanger, you can hang your bag
from the edge of a table using this little, foldable hook how clever!
Even better, the BIC bag hanger slips right into your bag. It will also help
keep your bag cleaner and looking newer for longer. And of course, the BIC
bag hanger is also good for your health, no more contortionist act as you
root around in your bag for your BIC lighter or pen. Now who would have
thought of that? BIC!
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ISOAll BIC pocket lighters meetor exceed the specificationsor the ISO 4 internationalsaety standard.
The person using it might have a hardtime imagining it, but a BIC lighter hasbeen subject to more than 5 checksbeore it goes to the market. All theemployees in a BIC lighter plantspend 5% o their time checking thequality o the product. I not designedand manuactured correctly, a lighter
can present a danger since its purposeis to create a flame rom a pressurizedgas reservoir with a lighting system,Franois Bich reminds us; he hasbeen head o operations or lighterssince the categorys beginnings.The Group has thereore developedunique processes and industrial toolsintegrating the latest technology,which have allowed it to mass producelighters according to the highest
standards in terms o quality, saety
and perormance since 7. AllBIC pocket lighters meet or exceedthe International Saety StandardISO 4 specifications. This standardsets the technical specifications thatthe product must meet (maximumflame height, resistance to elevatedtemperature, flame extinction, etc.) in
order to ensure that a lighter conormsto basic saety criteria.
BIC ALWAYS COMMITTEDTO SAFETYWhile this saety standard has been arequirement in Europe since March ,8, some companies on the marketstill dont conorm to it . BIC denouncesthese abuses. Tests required by theEuropean Commission showed that
about three out o our models o
Lightersquality and saety firstEvery day, 5 million BIC lighters are purchased
around the world. BIC is n worldwide in branded
pocket lighters. This success is due first and oremostto the quality and saety o the BIC lighter,
and or that, the Group goes all out.
Safety
. Guard... Sparkwheel: made o cheeks and a sparkwheel.
. Hood.. Fork: composed o a orkand a pusher. Fork spring. Flint. Flint spring.. Jet: composed o a jet anda globe seal... Valve: composed oa valve body, a membrane anda disk. Body. Gas. Base
. Ball
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Safety
lighters sold in Europe and tested by Veritas
or PROSAFE do not meet the ISO 4international saety standards. That can haveserious consequences or the user, those closeto them and the environment. Some countriesin Europe are working hard to put an end tothe numerous dangerous lighters on theirmarket.
Every BIC lighter undergoes more than 5separate automatic quality checks, during itsassembly, explains Ren Frigire, in charge
o Quality and Saety or BIC lighters.Once assembly is completed, the lighting,height, stability and extinction o the flameare controlled using the latest technology,digital video cameras and gas, flow, proximityand orce detectors. These checks are putin place to ensure that % o BIC lightersunction correctly beore they leave theactory, guaranteeing maximum security,Ren Frigire adds.
DelrinBIC uses one o the
strongest plastics inthe world Delrin,made by DuPont deNemours
DURING ASSEMBLY.
inspections
CULTURE UP IN FLAMESIn February 2005 the BIC J1 Maxi lighter with adjustableflame was made a part o the collection o the Departmento Architecture and Design o the Museum o Modern Art oNew York (MoMA). In 2010 it was on view at the exhibitionShaping Modernity: Design 1880-1980 in the PhilipJohnson Architecture and Design Galleries at the MOMA.
Did you know?About three out o our models o lighters sold inEurope dont meet the ISO 999 InternationalSaety Standard, which determines the technicalspecifications a lighter must meet. In September
2010, BIC lodged a complaint with the EuropeanCommission against the Netherlands, accusedo not doing enough to control the lightersentering or sold in the Netherlands.
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BIC Megalighter:GET A HANDLE ONYOUR FIRE
Rockin lighters onthe winner's podiumIn the United States, sales o BIC lighterscontinue to progress thanks to the e cient
communication about their quality and saety,increased availability in various points o saleand new decorated series that are a big hit. Justhow popular? The BIC Special Edition RockBands series won the CSP magazines BestProduct o competition.
A new multi-purpose, flexible tube lighter was launchedin in North America, the BIC Flex Wand.Perect or barbecuing and camping.
BIC is number in the world or multipurpose
lighters.
BIC lighters meeting
the highest standardsor qualityIn BICs our manuacturing plants in France,Spain, the United States and Brazil, all ISO certified, the lighter production processis under control. The latest technologiesare used to guarantee saety and quality,which go hand in hand with the highest levelo expertise. The production teams throwthemselves into the quest or perectionboth in developing and manuacturing their
products.
BIC Megalighter, a multi-purpose lighter handyor candles, gas stoves, the barbecue and more.It provides up to 75 lights, a clear view o the gaslevel and a handy hook or storage.
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The Planet
Around the worldin 2010BIC products are available in more than 3. million pointso sale across 6 countries. In BIC won market shares
in all geographic regions in all three product categories,
both in developed and developing countries.
Mproducts chosen every dayaround the world.*4 million stationery products*5 million lighters* million shavers*5 million advertisingand promotional products
,employees
%o BIC actories are located in highlyand very highly developed countriesand 8% in countries with mediumhuman development, according tothe Human Development Index (HDI)o countries.
%o BIC products areproduced by BIC,in its own actories.
STATIONERY
LIGHTERS
SHAVERS
ADVERTISING ANDPROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS
MAINFACTORIES
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STATIONERY
N1EuropeAricaLatin America
N2North AmericaOceania
ADVERTISING AND
PROMOTIONALPRODUCTS
N2Worldwide
LIGHTERS
N1in the world orbranded pocketlighters
SHAVERS*
N2EuropeNorth AmericaLatin America
* on the non-refillableshaver market
BIC POSITION IN ITS MARKETS
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The Planet
EUROPE
In Europe, BIC won market
shares, thanks in particular toa strong back-to-school period.
The limited edition BIC Colours Fashion helped the
brands positive outcome, asdid BICs well-known expertisein ballpoint pens and coloring.9 out o the top 10 selling pro-ducts over the back-to-schoolperiod in France were BIC
products*!
Hooray or
back to school!
thanks to new items and general support or thebrand, an example o which is the communication
campaign in Russia.
LIGHTERBIC quality and saety
was a year o bold,memorable advertising
investments such as the Tipp-Ex campaign on YouTube(A Hunter shoots a bear)
BIC launched a major communication campaignto inorm its wholesalers and distributors, as well
as consumers themselves, about the qualityand saety o BIC lighters.
BIC innovating
inAds
or the 3rd series o the viralcampaigns in France Les Perles
du Bac.
In , as North America slowlyemerged rom the recession, BICincreased its market share in stationerythanks in particular to its More or yourMoney positioning and support to new
products including the BIC Triumphand Easy Glide ranges.
LIGHTERS:trusted leadership
The consumers and customers continued trust in
BICs quality and saety, combined with the launches
o successul new lighter designs, the new BIC
Flex Wand multi-purpose lighter and continued
improvements in distribution, resulted in a strengthened
lighter category leadership position.
Outpacingthe competition
A strong emphasis on the BIC More For YourMoney promotional campaign supportedby the successul launch o new products
including the BIC Flex 4, Hybrid Advance,and Soleil Bella resulted in BIC being
ranked number two in the non-refillable shavercategory.
NORTH AMERICA
SHAVERSSALES MOMENTUM
A GOOD SHOWINGIN EASTERN EUROPESHAVERS
* Source : GK, BTS 2010, weeks 2 to 3.
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Brazil continued its promotion o the BIC Coolcampaign in 2010. As a result, BIC continued tocreate brand loyalty among todays consumers.BIC products were particularly popular during
the back-to-school season.
BIC COOLPUTTING BIC IN THE HANDS OF CONSUMERS
In , BIC was present in Chile ater theearthquake in March. Employees were there,
helping to rebuild one school.
BIC, working hard or others
+++ or all countries,all products
BIC ully developed theCristal amily, as well as
markers, and launched theMentor graphite pencil.
In lighters, new serieso decorated items were
marketed, and the distribution
network was strengthened. Shaver salesalso increased: stepped up sales in triple-
blades and strong growth o sales o classic1- and 2-blades.
Stronger presenceMIDDLE-EAST AND AFRICA
ASIA
Throughout Asia all countriesachieved significant growth
across all categories, thanks inparticular to the introductiono new stationery products
and a strengthening o lighterdistribution. 5, new points osale were added or this category.
In Japan, the InternationalSaety Standard ISO 4
was implementedor lighters.
Double-digit growth in this region resulted in stationery andshavers gaining a more solid presence in the market while lighters
continued to gain increased distribution. Continuous strategiceforts to build relationships with distributors and consumers, have
strengthened BIC presence in the region.
The Trust BICadvertisingcampaign rolledout in theMiddle East inassociation with
point-o-saleactivities.
DEVELOPING MARKETS
LATIN AMERICA
OCEANIA
In Oceania (Australia and
New Zealand), BIC once again
strengthened its position
and earned market shares in
all categories. BIC lighters
maintained their marked
dominance in the area through
point-to-point distribution.
The Express yoursel stationery
marketing campaign was well
broadcasted in all media outlets.
NEW PRODUCTLAUNCHES AND
INCREASEDDISTRIBUTION
Developing Markets . M net sales % o the Groups sales +,% on a comparative basis
Europe . M net sales % o the Groups sales +,% on a comparative basis
North America . M net sales % o the Groups sales +,% on a comparative basis
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07
08
40
Sustainable Development
BICand greenBIC products are designed and manuactured leaving out anything thatis superfluous. Lightness, quality and long-lasting have been the Groupsguiding principles since 5. In 4, BIC committed to a sustainabledevelopment approach, and in January 8, the Company took another
major step, setting ambitious but realistic goals or the end o concerning products, plant management, logistics and relations withemployees and communities. This management tool, the
BIC the barometer or sustainable development,has helped bring about major progress.Six years later on, what results havecome out o BICs commitment?
MAKING IT SAFE
BIC products are subjected to multiple quality/saety tests. Inks are reviewed by an independenttoxicologist and every lighter undergoes 50automated controls beore it is available or sale.
05
OPTIMIZING TRANSPORT
BIC measures its greenhouse gas emissionsand works to reduce the number o miles thatreight orwarders run empty. The Groupseeks to avor transportation methods that
pollute less or the same service.
06
DIVERSIFIED, RESPONSIBLEDISTRIBUTION
Product distribution is adapted to the local requirements
and possibilities. As part o the commitment to sustainabledevelopment, BIC gives presentations to and leadsactivities with its customers, o ce supply distributors andcommercial purchasers.
07
LONG LASTING
2 km o writing or a BIC Cristal ballpoint pen,3,000 lights or a BIC Maxi pocket lighter and morethan 10 shaves with a BIC triple-blade shaver.
08
PHILANTHROPIC PROJECTS
BIC subsidiaries and distributors are present inmany diferent countries where they support localhumanitarian actions through product donations,
financial aid and employee volunteer work.
09
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01
02
0309
04
0506
41
MADE BY BIC
BIC manuactures more than 80% o its products inits own actories. % o employees work in ISO 1001certified actories, and that figure will soon rise to 80%.The management systems help reduce energy and
water consumption and CO2 and waste production.
ECODESIGN
Starting at the product design phase, a measurementtool enables BIC to work on ways to reduce theenvironmental impact o a product or its entire liecycle. This process has been approved by the Frencheco-label NF Environment granted or 1 BIC writinginstruments.
RAW MATERIALS
TO A MINIMUMBIC decreases its use o ossil uel productsby minimizing the quantity o materials used,by using new recycled materials and by developingrefillable products.
WORKING WITHMEN AND WOMEN
BIC is committed to skill development and
training or employees, particularly throughBIC University and the strong values that
the Group shares with its employees.A Code o Conduct derived rom the
standards o the InternationalLabour Organization is in place
in actories.
01
02
03
04
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Sustainable Development
This year the sustainabledevelopment program at BIC hascome into its own. Weve noticed that
all the categories have really taken the processon board, notes Christine Desbois, Directoro Sustainable Development at BIC. BIC wasthe first writing instrument manuacturer to
receive the French o cial NF Environnementecological label NF, granted by AFNOR.To date, 6 BIC products have been grantedthe label, including classic products like theBIC Cristal ballpoint pen sold in boxeso 5 and BIC Colours as well as BICEcolutions products manuactured usingrecycled material. With these products we are
meeting customer demand or responsibleproducts that are certified less harmul or theenvironment, notes Christine Desbois. Thisdeep commitment to sustainable developmentwas highlighted and included in the Groupscommunication with operation BIC recycleand its advertising campaign eaturing EricCantona. Objective help French consumersrecycle their BIC shavers.
ECODESIGNED PRODUCTSWe measure the environmental impact o ourproducts over the entire lie cycle, explainsChristine Desbois. All o the research anddevelopment teams at BIC work with SimaProecodesign sotware or the creation o theirpens, lighters and shavers; it enables them seethe environmental impact o a product startingat its design phase. Many BIC products aredesigned to have a minimal ecological ootprint,like the ecodesigned BIC Easy/BIC HybridAdvance hybrid shaver that provides 6 dayso shaving with an environmental impact thats
(Top) Ecodesign to reduce environmental impact.(Bottom) The BIC Shaver plant in Longueil-Ste-Marie(France) has been awarded triple certification, ISO
9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001.
Research for new materials.
BIC is the first manufacturer to begranted the NF Environnement*eco-label.
*The mark NF Envrionnement is the o cial French ecological label.
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been reduced by 59% over its entire lie cycle. Itwas such a success that the Group is extendingthe line with the womens BIC Soleil Easyshaver in .
TAKING RESPONSIBILITY, BICMANUFACTURES IN ITS OWN PLANTSThe Group manuactures more than 8%o its products in its own actories. In 7,BIC deployed its Environment and Health &
Saety Management Systems to reduce energyand water consumption and CO and wasteproduction. The Company has begun ISO certiication and 6 plants were grantedcertiication in , three in France, one inMexico, one in the United States and one inBrazil. 66% o employees work in ISO certified actories, and that figure will soon reach8%. In July o last year the BIC shaver actoryin LongueilSteMarie France became theCompanys second triplecertified actory withISO 9 Quality, ISO Environmentand OHSAS 8 Health and Saety.
THE COMPANYSRANKING INSUSTAINABLEDEVELOPMENTINDEXESBIC is listed in three majorindexes or sustainabledevelopment, FTSE GoodEurope, the ASPI Eurozone
and Ethibel ExcellenceIndex Europe. And urtherproo o how importantsustainable developmentis or the company, or thesecond year in a row BICwas listed among the top
20 perorming companiesor including climatechange in their strategy,a listing establishedby the CDP (Carbon
Disclosure Project), aninternational organizationthat represents a groupo 53 major investors.For BIC, sustainabledevelopment is a battlethats led on all ronts.
(Top) BIC employees are committed.(Bottom)In France, BIC proposes shaver recycling to consumers.
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Sustainable Development
MEASURE TO BETTER REDUCEBIC strives to optimize its transport operationsby measuring its carbon ootprint every year.The company is also working to reduce itspackaging in cooperation with Walmart, itsleading distributor United States. To havean overview o its progress around the world,the BIC Barometer was developed. In threeyears, weve improved by points, saysChristine Desbois.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYIn , the company pursued its commitmentto developing employee skills and providingtraining. An employee satisaction surveydone in shows that with a commitmentrate o 6%, BIC is among the best employers*.We develop their employability, in otherwords we set up programs and trainingsessions that help employees adapt to changesin the work environment, explains FranoisEyssette, Group Human Resources Director.
The company has also instituted a Code oConduct derived rom the standards o theInternational Labour Organization ILO; itapplies to productionunits. Whats more, in the Advertisinga n d P r o m o t i o n a lProducts teams withinBIC APP, who adoptedthe Groups sustainable
development policy in9, received trainingto perorm social auditson subcontractors.
HEALTH
AND EDUCATIONSubsidiaries support their local communityin diferent ways, through productdonations, financial aid and employeevolunteer work. In 2010, 181 activities,representing more than 0.5% o thecompanys income beore taxes, were ledthroughout the world. Given the companysbusiness, BIC works mainly in the areas oeducation and health. These two categoriesaccount or 77% o our actions, notesChristine Desbois.
We are also active in environmentalcauses, emergency humanitarian aidand sports. The Group has carried outoperations in Haiti in the BIC Citizens inaction program and brought its supportto the victims o Hurricane Alex in Mexico.In 2010, BIC USA Inc. also supported the
American Susan G. Komen or the CureFoundation which works to fight breastcancer.
(Top) Mexico: BIC optimizes its transportation operations.(Bottom) BIC is active in humanitarian causes, notablythrough product donations.
Today, 66%of employees workin ISO 14001
certified factories.
For more information, see the SustainableDevelopment Report 2010, available online atbicworld.com
*Hewitt Method
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VOID
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SHAVER
The BICDiference
High-Tech
In the company once again ound ways to innovatein the non-refillable shaver segment: the BIC Flex 4
4 moveable blade shaver was launched in the United Statesand the BIC Comort 4 in Europe, and the ecodesignedBIC Easy / Hybrid Advance in the United States and
Oceania.
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LUBRICATING STRIP WITHALOE VERA AND VITAMIN E
SPRINGS
4 INDEPENDENT SPRING-
MOUNTED MOVEABLE BLADES
RUBBER GUARD BAR
Head o a BIC Flex and BIC Comort shavers
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BIC is number in Europe andAmerica in one-piece shavers. Everyday across the world millionconsumers choose BIC shavers. In
the Groups shaver sales increased by7% in volume (+7.6% in net sales). Despitea continuing di cult economic backdrop,
our shaver category has achieved excellentresults. Our 'quality and price' positioningplays a big role there, says Ed Dougherty, incharge o the Groups Shaver category.Today shavers represent 7% o sales; they areentirely manuactured in three BIC-ownedplants, where technology is an integral parto the production. For BIC, a shaver hasa simple purpose, to cut hairs. Thats simple,in theory, but to guarantee the success othat mission, the R&D and production teamswork hard to provide the consumer with thebest that technology has to ofer at a very
BIC price. Every one o the 6 million BICblades produced daily is guaranteed to meetthe companys high standards or quality
A blade 2000 times thinner than a human hairIn a ully automated production process(molds, sharpeners, assembly machines),every blade is visually inspected and everyshaver is quality controlled beore it leavesthe actory. We ofer excellent quality atthe right price, points out Thomas Brette,Marketing Manager or Shavers. Our twin-blades are about to 5% less expensivethan our competitors, and the triple-bladesare 3 to 4% less. Producing BIC bladesis really an art, requiring no less than steps, rom the hardening process to the coato chromium and PTFE (poly tetra fluoroethylene) to inhance its perormance. Asor the plastic parts, theyre made by high-
precision injection molding.
Moveable blade
technology6 BIC MODELS WITH THE LATESTTECHNOLOGY, THREE OR FOURMOVEABLE BLADES: BRINGING YOUCOMFORT, SAFETY AND PRECISIONBICs latest technology is being put to good useor men and womens shaving in 2010.The spring-mounted blades move independently,to evenly distribute pressure and absorb shocksduring shaving, providing optimum contact withthe skin and a blade that ollows every curve on
the ace and body.
High Tech
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THIS BIC
INNOVATIONIS A BURGEONINGSUCCESSThis all in one shaverincludes a handle and sixcartridges, not soldseparately. Sold since 2009in Europe, it is nowavailable under the nameBIC Hybrid Advancein North America andOceania, where its met withstunning success.Ecodesigned, itsenvironmental impact hasbeen reduced by 59% overthe complete product liecycle compared to similar,non-refillable shavers. BICEasys pivoting head sportsa lubricating strip madewith Aloe Vera andVitamin E.
BIC Easy/BIC Hybrid
Advance,60 daysof shaving,minimum
Quality, price, performanceSignature of a brand4 TRULY INDEPENDENTLY MOVEABLEBLADESUsers are flocking to BICs latest technology inshavers, and BIC Flex is already number one inone-piece, -blade or men shavers in the UnitedStates! The -blade BIC Bella also won thewomens vote both in Europe and the United States.
Another reason or the success o the entire rangeo BIC shavers is undoubtedly the attraction othe BIC gives you more or your money campaignthat stressed the products value in some markets.
* Source: IRI, February , USA.
BIC Flex 4
#1one-piece 4-bladeor men in the U.S.
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Man on the Street
The alarm rings atera short nights
sleep. I have a daybeard, tiredlookingskin, low handeye
coordination at thishour and the bathroom
light is blinding.
I pick up the BICComort 4. Thehandle is long,curved, ergonomicwith nonslip grip,
now that was clever
thinking. In my hand, the shavemakes sense. I turn it all around,
ocus on the blades. Yep, theyreall there.
They tell me it takes separateproduction steps to make oneblade. BIC measures the hardnesso the steel, the sharpening angle,the thickness o the blade, ando course, to make sure its longlasting, they inspect the edge o theblade with an electron microscope.That means it comes out times thinner than a human hair!
Starting to shave.Just a little oam
and here I go. Itsays independent
springmountedmoveable blades to
distribute pressure, providingoptimal contact with the skin anda comortable shave. Soundsgreat, especially since I havesensitive skin. The springs doindeed distribute pressureamong the our blades. Straightaway I can eel the lubricating
I tested theBICComfort 4 shaver.
: a.m. : a.m. : a.m.
THIS
MONTHS
TEST
BY
GEORGE
SC.
:
:
:
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In , BIC launched the BIC Comort 4 or men, a shaver with4 independently moveable blades. The editors at BICTween us askedone o their reporters to see how it shaves. Extreme conditions test
: a.m. : a.m. : a.m.
strip with its Vitamin E and Aloevera they are known to be good
or your skin.The blue rubber guard bar rightbelow the blades is particularlyefective. It stretches out the skinbeore the blade passes over it,spreads the shaving cream andlines up the hairs or a better cut.I can really eel it. First impression a precise, smooth, easy shavewith no nicks in sight. I keepgoing.
How will the BICComort 4 take the
chin? Im reallytesting it now, andthe pivoting head
gets the job donewithout blinking. The
springs ollow the curves o myace. I push it just a bit urther; thehead adapts perectly to sensitiveareas. Its an efortless shave,precise and comortable. I take alook in the mirror and cant find asingle problem. Zero irritation.
End o the shave.Optimum time o
7 minutes. NowI come to the leastun part, and what
might just be thestumbling block or this
razor the rinse. With our blades,I expect the worst. Not at all.A ew seconds under runningwater and the shaver is perectlyrinsed. Lets do this againtomorrow.
: :
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Culture
Carine Brancowitz is an illustrator. She works with a host o ashionmagazines and or many major brand names. The first showing
o her work was at the Dexter Gallery in Paris in September , and shewill also be present at the 56th Salon dArt Contemporain de Montrouge
in May . Fun act she works exclusively with BIC pens.
Born in 97, Carine Brancowitz studied illustrationat the Ecole Estienne in Paris. She started her careerin the ashion industry in 996 as the artistic directorin a communications agency. In , she set up shopor hersel as a graphic artist, and in 7 she decidedto ocus on illustration. She has worked with variousmagazines Dazed & Conused, Nylon, Elle Girl, Elle,Die Zeit, Figaro Madame, Playboy, Arena, Avant Garde,Vogue, l'O ciel, to name a ew and major brand namesCline, Testoni, Silvera, Nokia.
INTERVIEW
Bio
Carine Brancowitz
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Why did you choose to use BIC pensfor your illustrations?The BIC Colours ballpoint pen is easyto carry around, it has bright colors and thecontrast o shades is just right. I like thetexture o the ink on diferent kinds o paper,the precise line suits me perectly. Its a greatpen! The black o BIC Cristal is very deep;BIC red is vibrant. Even ater a couple ohours o use, the ballpoint pen doesnt run ormake a mess.
Do you have some favorite pens?I can only get the right look or hair witha BIC Colours fine point, red barrel.For backgrounds or flatter suraces, I useBIC Cristal. Ive tried other brands and incomparison I can say that at BIC, they takequality very seriously! When Im working orthe ashion industry, I can draw really tinydetails because the point gives such a fineline, and materials like leather come out reallywell with a BIC pen, very realistic, lielike.
For their journalistic publications, the Britishand Americans really like the modern yettimeless look o BIC pens.
Whats your relationship to BIC pens?Im not a collector. I must have about5 BIC pens and even more cartridgesor the BIC Colours. People give meBIC pens all the time. I love having ull jarso pens around, its inspiring
For my work, I wishthat BIC would makeyellow ink, not fluorescentand not orangey. The exactshade would be a darkcadmium yellow.
http://carinebrancowitz.com
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Shopping
BUGrip
Briteliner
MissSoleil
MClic
Comics
BIC
or Her
BICor Her
Gel
BICFlex
SimonBernheim
Edition
EcolutionsGlueRoller
2
Products available only in certain markets.
BICMaticMini
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MiniPocketMouse
SoleilEasy
BlackChic
BICAtlantis.6 mm
Cristalor Her
BIC'IN*
BICFlex
Colours
GripPro
Colours
Grip
Megalighter
11 W H A T S N E WW H A T S N E W
* Name used in Europe, Brazil and Mexico.
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Shareholders information
CAPITAL OWNERSHIPAS OF DECEMBER 31, 2010
Shareholdersreview
Public
.% .%
(a) At December 3, , the number o voting rights was 7,6,868 (including voting rights or treasury shares).(b) Treasury shares temporarily without voting right.
VOTING RIGHTSAS OF DECEMBER 31, 2010(a)
SilchesterInternationalInvestors
Public
.%
Bich Family,including MBD
Bich Family,including MBD
.%
.%Treasury stock(b)
.%.%
Treasury stock(b)
.%SilchesterInternationalInvestors
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() For the fiscal year , the company paid a special dividend o . euro.() The Board o Directors will propose an ordinary dividend o . euro at the Annual Shareholders Meeting on May , .
Base - Clture 3 dcembre
BIC SHARE PRICE IN 2010on Euronext Paris
BIC SHARE PRICE SINCE 2000on Euronext Paris
140
130
120
110
100
90
80
CAC
Base closing December 3,
Base closing December 3,
PER SHARE DATAin euros Earnings per share 3.43 3.5 3. 3.5 4.
Net dividend per share .3 .35 .35 .4() .()
Payout ratio 38% 38% 45% 44% 44%
Average number o sharesoutstanding net o treasury shares 4,66,3 4,44,57 48,357,74 48,5,6 48,34,785
CAC
BIC
30
150
90
130
70
110
50
FEB.JAN. APR.MAR. MAY JUN JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. NOV. DEC.
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
BIC
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Shareholders information
Keyindicators
() Shelton real estate acquisition ( million euros).
() A special dividend o . euro per share was paid or the years 4 and .(3) The Board o Directors will propose an ordinary dividend o . euros at the Annual Shareholders Meeting on May , .
in million euros
Net sales ,533.3 ,4.6 ,36. ,64. ,38.8 ,448. ,456. ,4. ,56.7 ,83.5
Income rom operations 56. 5.5 . 7.6 38.4 53. 55.8 .6 6. 34.6
Normalized IFO 5. 4. 58.7 53.5 4.3 3.6 34.
Capital expenditures 6 85 7 7 () 7 77 83 53 63
Free cash flow ateracquisitions anddisposals
73 86 6 57 47 6 43 6
in euros
Earnings per shareor EPS .4 .3 .3 .5 3. 3.43 3.5 3. 3.5 4.
Dividend per share .65 .8 .8 .() .5 .3 .35 .35 .4() .(3)
UNTIL 2003: FRENCH GAAPFROM 2004: IFRS
UNTIL 2003: FRENCH GAAPFROM 2004: IFRS
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() Organization: since the product categories have been redefined and are now as ollows: stationery (consumer), lighters, shavers,other products (consumer) and advertising and promotional products.
FORMER ORGANIZATION NEW ORGANIZATION(1)
STATIONERY
Net sales in million euros 737.6 74. 673.3 634. 5.6 58.7
IFO Margin 4.4% 5.% 3.4% .% 8.5% .%
Normalized IFO margin 4.% 5.% 4.% .% .6% .%
LIGHTERS
Net sales in million euros 34.6 3.3 376. 38. 48.8
IFO Margin 3.5% 3.% .% 3.% 36.%
Normalized IFO margin 3.5% 3.% .% 34.% 36.%
ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS
Net sales in million euros 88.4 36.6
IFO Margin 8.3% 7.6%
Normalized IFO margin .4% .%
SHAVERS
Net sales in million euros 53.8 66.7 64.3 68.8 37.8
IFO Margin .5% 8.% 4.% .3% 3.6%
Normalized IFO margin .% 8.% 4.% .5% 4.%
BIC 3- and 4-blade one-piece shavers accounted or 4.4% o total BIC one-piece sales in .
FORMER ORGANIZATION NEW ORGANIZATION(1)
OTHER PRODUCTS
Net sales in million euros 6. 84. 6.5 6. 7. .7
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FELL IN LOVE WITHBIC PHONEI recently discovered therechargeable BIC phone. Since Ionly use a cell phone occasionally,I didnt want to have a contract.The BIC phone concept is reallyun, and just what I need. Imhoping there will be new designsor 2011.Pascal P., Clermont-Ferrand,France
When I was visiting your
website, I read that a BIC lighterlights times comparedto an average o or otherlighters with a similar ormat.Thats a huge diference!How do you do it?Elena R., Santiago du Chili
Ed. We use one o the strongestplastics in the world, Delrinmade by DuPont de Nemours,
while lower quality importedlighters use cheaper plasticsthat arent as strong and cantwithstand the pressure o the gasas well. The walls o those lightershave to be much thicker, so theycontain less gas and dont give asmany lights.
Youre currently doing alot o PR about sustainabledevelopment. Doesnt yournewound conscience come abit late?
Jean-Paul W., Metz, FranceEd. We ollow the philosophyo the Companys ounder, BaronBich: manuacture products usingjust whats necessary. We do ourutmost to design and manuacture
products with the least amount oraw materials, without anythingsuperfluous. Lightness, qualityand long-lasting durability are the
principles the Company has livedby since 1950.
Im a teenager; Im just startingto shave and I have troubleunderstanding what makes ablade BIC Comort anybetter. Can you tell me what thediference is?John B., New York
Ed. I youre just learning toshave, this is the perect choice.Thanks to the latest developments
in technology, the blades moveindependently, distributingthe pressure o the blades and
providing optimum contact withthe skin. There is also a widelubricating strip that helps it glidemore easily over the skin.
Last Words
Lettersrom readers
Limited Company capital euros 85,9,856.66Divided into 8,558,86 shares o euro .8Quoted on Eurolist Euronext ParisIsin: FR966Mnemonic: BBContinuous quotation55.8. registered in Nanterre, France
Our users rom around the world keep up with the latest newsand ask questions about our commitments.
Design and production:Redaction: Christophe VidalPhotos credit: Kai Jnemann, BIC Group, Jack Burlot, OlivierLecomte, GettyThis report is printed on FSC certified paper.This document is available onwww.bicworld.com
SOCIT BIC, rue Jeanne dAsnires96 Clichy Cedex, France
www.bicworld.com www.bickids.com www.sheafer.com www.mybiclighter.comwww.flickyourbic.comwww.bicgraphic.comwww.bicsport.com
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