
We are really to publish this interview based on several questions coming from FPN,Twitter, our readers, thank you to you !
If you do not already know Herbin, please do not hesitate to click here
Q : Are Herbin inks manufactured by Caran d’Ache ?
No, they aren’t. J.Herbin belongs to Exacompta Clairefontaine, the French stationery group. Established in 1670, the company has always produced its own inks ever
since. And it is still the case today with a manufacturing tradition and a know-how in this area that are over 300 years old. Herbin is indeed the oldest name in ink production in the world.
Q : Would you consider manufacturing a permanent ink for fountain pens ?
We want to be a reference brand in the ink market; to date we have not received any client request or query for this category of ink but if this type of demand really exists in the market, we would study this opportunity.
Everything is possible however the process of mixing of pigments and water requires analyses in order to ensure that the end product will not foul up the feeder.
Q : What were the highlights of the year 2009 for Herbin’s fine writing inks ?
2009 was a year of transition with the relocation of our manufacturing site at the beginning of the year; nevertheless our production is still manufactured in France.
Overall sales remained satisfying due to a massive clean stock effect in the first semester.
Q : Did your company open new market regions in 2009 ?
Yes, indeed! Herbin fine writing inks are now available in Korea, Russia, and soon in China.
The Japanese also like very much our inks (we are distributed in the famous Itoya store).
Herbin fine writing inks may owe it to their history perhaps, yet they convey emotions and pleasure around the world and we are really pleased in knowing this.
Q : In theory, should the ink viscosity be the same for each ink ?
We are very demanding regarding the threshold of ink viscosity when it comes up to the quality of writing.
This threshold cannot be exactly identical for two different inks but should remain in the same level area…in effect the difference must be very small..
Q : Are your top three best-selling ink colours different in different parts of the world ?
Yes, they are. France’s top three best selling ink colours are: Perle Noire (09) / Bleu Myosotis (15) / Violette Pensée (77). Germany’s top three: Gris Nuage (08) / Rouge Opera (68) / Bleu Nuit (19). The U.S. and Japan prefer: Perle Noire (09) / Eclat de Saphir (16) / Violette Pensée (77).
Q : Will you launch new products in 2010 ?
Herbin already provides 30 different colours of inks, which is quite a large range of choice in the market!
Having said this, in the year 2010 we will celebrate our 340th anniversary of existence. And I am pleased to announce here
the launch of a new ink, a kind of “vintage” so to speak. The readers of PenandCo will soon be informed of this. And as I am talking about new launches, allow me to add that we are very satisfied with the brand new launch of our Salto product, a very innovative notepad by G.Lalo. We hope that your readers will enjoy this product dedicated to pen lovers and writing addicts
Q : What about manufacturing a scented fountain pen ink?
We already manufacture scented fountain pen inks.
We might launch a new scented ink in the coming months. All ideas and suggestions for this new fragrance are welcome.
Q : What does the printing « do not mix two inks » mean on your packaging ?
The manufacturing of each ink requires many hours of mixing, which guarantees an efficient dilution of the elements. If you mix two Herbin inks, incompatible pigments could change the colour over time.
This is the reason why we advise our consumers not to mix the inks.
Q : We might have found an anomaly on your US packaging : « Rince » should be changed into « rinse », shouldn’t it ?
Yes, it should. We are noting this information down and will take it into consideration for our new packaging.
Q : Many of your ink users wish to see an evolution in the shape of the ink bottle in order to make it more appropriate for the use of modern fountain pens. What do you think of this?
We wish to offer a simple and lasting solution.
We have worked for several months about the design and manufacturing of a new bottle that will keep the Herbin spirit and will have an integrated pen rest.
Q : I am handing you now the comments and questions posted by our readersfrom Twitter,FPN,... and customers. What do think of these?
First of all I would like to thank your clients for providing feedback regarding our company and products. I am proud and honoured by these consumers’ feedback which is the most important feedback for me. I can assure you that I will share this positive feedback and “thank you” messages with the entire staff. There are very few companies with over 340 years that are still operating these days and this is even more noticeable in the ink market.
We are genuinely willing to hear your suggestions or comments, without those we would find it difficult to improve the way we do things and manufacture our products.
A big THANK YOU to all your readers and clients!
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