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Staedtler Mars GmbH & Co. KG is a German fine writing instruments company and a manufacturer and suppliers of writing, artist, and engineering drawing instruments. The firm was founded by J.S. Staedtler in 1835 and produces a large variety of writing instruments, including drafting pencils, leadholders, professional pens, and standard wooden pencils. It also produces plastic erasers, rulers, compasses, and other drawing/writing accessories. Staedler claims to be the largest European manufacturer of wood-cased pencils, OHP pens, mechanical pencil leads, erasers, and modelling clays. Staedtler has over 20 global subsidiaries and seven manufacturing facilities.  Over 80% of the production takes place in the headquarters in Nuremberg, though some of its products are made in Japan. Its "Noris" line of pencils was extremely common in British schools.


History

The name Staedtler is closely linked with Nuremberg's pencil history. Long before J.S. Staedtler founded his pencil making factory within Nuremberg's old city walls back in 1835, the Staedtler family had been hand-making this well-loved writing instrument for generations already.

The roots of the name Staedtler can be traced back to 1662, the year in which first references to Friedrich Staedtler as a pencil-making craftsman were made in the city annals. On 3 October 1835, J.S. Staedtler received permission from the municipal council to produce blacklead, red chalk and pastel pencils in his industrial plant. In 1866, the company had 54 employees and produced 15,000 gross (2,160,000 pencils) per year.

Between 1900 and 1901 Mars and Noris brands were created. In 1922 the USA subsidiary (located in New York) was established, which was followed by the Japan subsidiary four years later. In 1937 the name was changed to Mars Pencil and Fountain Pen Factory and product range expanded to include mechanical writing instruments. In 1949 began the production of ballpoint pens, which began to be widely used instead of fountain pens (although Staedtler still produces the latter today).

In 1950 leadholders (or mechanical pencils) began to be manufactured, the first being made out of wood. Four years later, "Lumocolor" brand was registered. This brand was used to design the wide line of Staedtler markers. In 1962 Technical pens began to be produced.

As from 2010, FIMO, MALI, Aquasoft and further brands are being marketed under the Staedtler brand. In addition, the company celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2010.