Faber-Castell Featured in New York Times

The New York Times recently posted an article spotlighting German pencil giant Faber-Castell and the company’s head Count Anton-Wolfgang von Faber-Castell. Among other things, the article discusses how the company has managed to avoid outsourcing the production of its products and stay relevant in the digital age. It also features a fascinating interview with the Count that sheds some light on the pencil industry. Below is an excerpt from the article:

“You have to continuously shift,” said Count Anton, who on this day wore a double-breasted pinstriped suit with red tie and white pocket handkerchief. “If you lean back and say, ‘With my products I can be happy,’ then it’s the first step to hell.

While the basic design of a pencil has not changed much in 400 years, Faber-Castell has managed to find ways to be unique. For example, in the late 1990s, it developed a triangular pencil with raised dots that make it easier to hold. That proved popular.”

The article was also accompanied by a video showcasing a visit to the Faber-Castell pencil-making factory in Stein, Germany. You can check out the video here and you can read the article in its entirety on the New York Time website.