For many of us, the name conjures up schoolchildren’s memories: the first colorings, the first drawings, the introduction to painting… And, of course, the first writing pages. Since 1915, Caran d’Ache has accompanied generations of children, parents and artists, who have never been mistaken about the excellence of the writing instruments and fine art products that this family-run company manufactures with unique expertise in its workshops in Thônex, near Geneva.

Powerful or shimmering, its fine colors harness the magic of pigments to offer a palette of some 300 shades in a multitude of forms. Caran d’Ache captures them in tubes of gouache, watercolor and acrylic, of course, but also on exclusive products such as Prismalo, the first watercolor pencil launched in 1931, or Neocolor, a wax pastel invented in 1952 that seduced the greatest artists, starting with Pablo Picasso. On the writing instrument side, innovation and creativity are also combined for those who still enjoy writing by hand. Among the icons of the Office line, a few names such as Fixpencil or the essential Collection 849 have imposed their style. Finally, in the field of Haute Ecriture, Caran d’Ache designs instruments that are masterpieces of craftsmanship and precision. Engraved or guilloché, dressed in cote de maille, wood or Chinese lacquer, the pens and nibs in the Varius, Léman and Ecridor collections express the full extent of the talents of the House’s craftsmen.

A boutique workshop in Lausanne

Caran d’Ache is a whole universe. The Geneva-based company takes the expression literally, unveiling its own in a Atelier-boutique inaugurated in March in the heart of Lausanne’s new arts district. Spread over four interconnecting arcades, the Atelier-boutique offers a total experience: a workshop-gallery hosts creative workshops and artists’ exhibitions; a space is dedicated to personalization; and a boutique is devoted to fine art products and collections of writing instruments. It’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in today’s creative trends.

Plateforme 10 – Arcades 8 to 11, 16, Place de la Gare, 1003 Lausanne,

Tel. 021 566 70 72

Three questions for Carole Hubscher, Chairman of the Board of Directors

Caran d’Ache is a family business. You represent the 4 ^e generation at the helm. Why is it important to remain independent?

For a company like ours, independence allows us to have a long-term vision and to work with a view to passing on the company to future generations. For me, it’s really motivating to get up every morning to help make high-quality products, and to know that they’re making children and parents happy. From a purely practical point of view, our independence also gives us great agility.

We seem to be writing less and less by hand. In such a context, what is the strength of Caran d’Ache?

It’s true, the way we communicate today has changed, and writing as a whole is being called into question. But I don’t know anyone who doesn’t own at least one pencil or pen. At Caran d’Ache, we are convinced that we make the tools of creativity. And this creativity, which, in my opinion, comes through the hand, will have a real role to play in the future. And you’ll agree that it’s much more elegant to write a handwritten love letter or thank-you note!

The company is also known for its environmental credentials. In a few words, what do you do?

This has always been a concern at Caran d’Ache. Above all, it’s a question of common sense. As far back as the 1950s, wood waste from our pencil manufacturing process was used to heat our workshops in winter. Our interest in protecting the environment can be seen in more recent examples, such as the choice of solar panels on our roofs or the absence of solvents in the manufacture of our varnishes. We have also initiated a project with Innosuisse to manufacture pencils from Swiss wood, an interesting alternative to California cedar. Using species from the Jura, Valais and Grisons regions, we aim to produce 20% of our pencils from indigenous wood within 6 years.

In figures

1915

The Fabrique Genevoise de Crayons is founded. The same year sees the launch of the first graphite pencils made from cedar wood.

1924

The company is renamed Caran d’Ache by Arnold Schweitzer. The expression comes from the word karandash, “the pencil” in Russian, whose Turkish root “kara tash” means the black stone from which graphite originated.

300

The prism of Caran d’Ache shades.

849

This is the name of the famous Caran d’Ache ballpoint pen invented in 1969, whose giant Goliath cartridge can write up to 600 A4 pages.

90

The number of countries in which the company is present.