Mitsubishi Pencils acquires Lamy

[stephanos]

I hadn't heard about this at all, and I too was surprised. What it means for Lamy fountain pens remains to be seen.

 

Mitsubishi Pencils buying Lamy at least partly because of its logistical expertise actually seem quite sensible. You can get Lamy products pretty much everywhere I've been (I transited through Istanbul airport earlier this month and there was even a small Lamy store there).

[Azulado]

@stephanos, Despite its presence in many countries, Lamy can benefit logistically from the worldwide sales network of the much larger Mitsubishi. However, it is possible that the Japanese will improve their position in Europe thanks to Lamy. On the other hand, Mitsubishi has no fine writing or digital products and can expand its product range. This is all theory, now we will see what happens in reality. 

[Sh.Andrews]

In the absence of the original owners continuing on, I think Mitsubishi is a good choice.  I'm optimistic.

[inkstainedruth]

I had to go to an area Staples store the other day, and was surprised to see a couple of Safaris in blister packs hanging up in the pen section.  Now I don't know if they were FPs or rollerballs or what (I didn't pay that much attention, and it isn't the store closest to me) but there was a black one and I think a grey or silver colored one.  

Now wondering if they *weren't* fountain pens at all -- just looked at their website and all they show are 70 packs of Monteverde cartridges (black, blue, green and turquoise) that they say fit in a Safari FP...).  And just had an, um *interesting* chat with some guy in their chat window because he couldn't tell me why what is supposed to be a BLUE Studio looks like a dark Pink Safari/al-Star AND like a BP or rollerball to boot....   Oh, and while it said it was ONLY sold in stores -- NOT on their website , apparently -- they DO NOT seem to be sold in any of the stores AROUND HERE...  And he had no answer for THAT question either....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[stephanos]

6 minutes ago, Azulado said:

@stephanos, Despite its presence in many countries, Lamy can benefit logistically from the worldwide sales network of the much larger Mitsubishi. However, it is possible that the Japanese will improve their position in Europe thanks to Lamy. On the other hand, Mitsubishi has no fine writing or digital products and can expand its product range. This is all theory, now we will see what happens in reality. 

Completely agree. I like Lamy, though I don't have an emotional stake in how things develop. I'm curious to see how this latest takeover of a venerable (legacy?) manufacturer works out.

[Number99]

September 2, 2024 

Mitsubishi Pencil Corporation Press Release.

 

Only the Japanese-language version of the Mitsubishi Pencil Co. press release could be found.

https://www.mpuni.co.jp/company/press/20240902-53586.html

 

Brief summary.

From January next year, LAMY products will be handled in the Japanese market through Mitsubishi Pencils sales network.

And after that same time, they plan to sell Lamy Safari ballpoint pens that use Jetstream ballpoint pen *ink.

(Please note that this press release is currently intended for the Japanese market.)

 

P.S.

*They do not say refill, they say ink.

 

Edited September 7, 2024 by Number99
The text placement has been changed.

[Ronderick]

On 9/6/2024 at 4:02 AM, Number99 said:

September 2, 2024 

Mitsubishi Pencil Corporation Press Release.

 

Only the Japanese-language version of the Mitsubishi Pencil Co. press release could be found.

https://www.mpuni.co.jp/company/press/20240902-53586.html

 

Brief summary.

From January next year, LAMY products will be handled in the Japanese market through Mitsubishi Pencils sales network.

And after that same time, they plan to sell Lamy Safari ballpoint pens that use Jetstream ballpoint pen *ink.

(Please note that this press release is currently intended for the Japanese market.)

 

P.S.

*They do not say refill, they say ink.

 

 

Seriously, I think a Lamy ballpoint/rollerball body paired with jetstream ink/gel should work pretty well.

 

At least Mitsubishi’s past attempt to make refills for certain high end pens (I remember i had one for my Parker pen) was quite enjoyable, so definitely looking forward to possible Safari jetstream hybrid.

[Number99]

On 9/28/2024 at 8:39 PM, Ronderick said:

 

Seriously, I think a Lamy ballpoint/rollerball body paired with jetstream ink/gel should work pretty well.

 

At least Mitsubishi’s past attempt to make refills for certain high end pens (I remember i had one for my Parker pen) was quite enjoyable, so definitely looking forward to possible Safari jetstream hybrid.

I posted information about the LAMY safari JETSTREAM INSIDE and Jetstream M17 refill in another sub-forum.

The first change from the merger of Lamy and Mitsubishi Pencil may have been the discontinuation of Lamy Japan.

https://lamy.jp/password

 

And the first change regarding products would probably be this ballpoint pen.

They (Lamy and Mitsubishi Pencil) have not yet released any press release with information about worldwide sales of the new ballpoint pen, so maybe they intend to test this product in the Japanese market.

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/377670-lamy-safari-jetstream-inside-and-jetstream-m17-refill-japan-limited-launch/

 

 

[Dillo]

I think this is a positive development if they can spin it the right way because I have always felt that Lamy's ballpoints and pencils were really lackluster in the mechanics and writing. Mitsubishi Pencil can do really well with both things and have the technology to really make them well. I own a lot of their mechanical pencils. In a similar way, Mitsubishi Pencil does not do any fountain pens, and this is one of Lamy's strengths.

 

Jetstream inside is something I was hoping for even though I very rarely use ballpoints (and am unlikely to buy one). I may be able to recommend it to other people now who like these things