Yes, Camlin is an Indian company. Founded in the year 1931, Camlin is an Indian brand of stationery products. Even though a Japanese company named Kokuyo Company Limited holds majority stakes in Camlin, the latter continues to function as an Indian brand and is headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Camlin manufactures a wide range of products like pens, markers, sketch pens, pencils, watercolours, pastel colours, notebooks, geometry boxes, erasers, adhesives and more.
Camlin is a top brand in the Indian stationery and art materials market, and operates under brand names like Camlin for stationery products and Camel for art materials. Apart from its presence in the domestic market, Camlin also exports its products to multiple countries.
| Details | Info |
| Founded | 1931 |
| Founder | D.P. Dandekar and G.P. Dandekar |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| CEO | Satish Veerappa |
| Sector | Stationery and Art Supplies |
Company History
Camlin was founded in the year 1931 as Dandekar and Co. by D.P. Dandekar and G.P. Dandekar. The company started operations by manufacturing ink powders and tablets which were sold under the brand name ‘Horse’. Later, the company commenced producing fountain pain ink, sold under the brand name ‘Camel’. In the year 1946, the company was renamed Camlin Limited.
Camlin Limited gained prominence for its Camel ink and Camlin pencils. By the 1970s, the company had diversified its product portfolio to include geometry boxes and art materials like watercolours, crayons and oil pastel colours. Camlin established its manufacturing facilities at Vasai and Taloja in Maharashtra in the 1980s and 90s. In the year 2002, the company launched its premium art products under Camel brand.
In the year 2011, a Japanese stationery company, Kokuyo Company Limited, acquired 50.74% stakes in Camlin Limited.
Current Status
Camlin currently manufactures over 2000 products across multiple categories like writing instruments, art materials, office stationery and scholastic products. The company is a major player in the Indian stationery market and also exports its products to over 50 countries worldwide. Camlin operates manufacturing facilities in Taloja, Vasai, Samba and Jammu.
Kokuyo Company Limited currently holds around 75% stakes in Camlin. The founding family of the company has less than 1% stakes but continues in leadership roles.
Future Outlook
Camlin is likely to remain strong in the Indian stationery market, mainly due to its high-quality products and a strong brand legacy. The company benefits from its partnership with Kokuyo Company Limited and is expected to introduce more innovative products with the help of Kokuyo’s R&D expertise and advanced product designing capabilities.