Digitisation may have influenced how we communicate and work, but pens remain an indispensable tool

With schools, colleges and other educational institutions gradually re-opening, the nearly five-decade-old Kolkata-headquartered Linc Ltd, formerly Linc Pen & Plastics Ltd, which makes one of the top three writing instrument brands in India, is gearing up to tap new price segments and new geographies outside India through innovation.

Speaking to The Statesman, Deepak Jalan, Managing Director, Linc Ltd, tries to read the writings on the wall and shares his thoughts on how he plans to take this home-grown brand to the next level.

Excerpts:

Statesman: What is the current overall market size of the writing instrument industry in India, and what are the shares of organized and unorganized sectors in that market?

Jalan: The writing instrument industry in India is valued at approximately 5,000 crore. The organized sector contributes about 60% of this market, while the unorganized sector accounts for the remaining 40%. The growth of branded products in recent years has slightly increased the share of the organized sector as consumers increasingly prioritize quality and reliability.

Statesman: At what rate is the industry growing? And what would be Linc Pen's growth rate?

Jalan: The industry is growing at a steady rate of 5-7% annually, driven by factors such as increasing literacy rates, growth in the student population, and a higher demand for quality products. Linc Pen has been consistently outpacing the industry average, achieving a growth rate of around 10-12%, thanks to our focus on innovation, distribution expansion, and strong brand equity.

Statesman: What is Linc Pen's current market share—nationally and in eastern India, in particular?

Jalan: Nationally, Linc holds a market share of approximately 8%. In eastern India, where the brand has a strong legacy and distribution network, our market share is significantly higher, standing at around 20%.

Statesman: Does the digitization spree pose any serious challenge to the writing instrument industry? Do we need pens anymore?