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.

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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?