• Company name: Faber-Castell AG
• Founded: 1761
• Founder: Kaspar Faber
• Headquarters: Stein, Bavaria, Germany
• Industry: Stationery, art supplies, writing instruments
• Products: Graphite pencils, coloured pencils, fountain pens, ballpoint pens, markers, crayons, erasers, sharpeners, technical drawing tools, fine writing instruments and creative art supplies
• Operations: Products are distributed in over 100 countries through factories, sales offices and distribution partners worldwide.2

The origins of Faber-Castell date to 1761, when cabinet maker Kaspar Faber established a small pencil workshop in Stein near Nuremberg. Over subsequent centuries, the family developed the enterprise into an internationally renowned manufacturer of writing instruments.1

A pivotal era occurred in the 19th century under Lothar von Faber, who transformed the business into a global concern. He implemented standardised production methods, expanded export markets and was among the first industrialists to prioritise branding and trademark protection.1

In 1898, heiress Ottilie von Faber married Count Alexander zu Castell-Rüdenhausen. The family name became Faber-Castell, and the company adopted this designation to preserve the “Faber” identity whilst incorporating the Castell lineage.1

Faber-Castell is particularly distinguished by:

• Green pencils, most notably the Castell 9000. Introduced in 1905, this model has become one of the most recognised graphite pencils globally.
• The two jousting knights logo, which symbolises quality, tradition and craftsmanship. This emblem derives from historical advertising and was subsequently modernised as the official corporate logo.1

Faber-Castell manufactures products for students, professionals, artists and collectors, including:

• Graphite pencils
• Coloured pencils
• Mechanical pencils
• Fountain pens
• Rollerball and ballpoint pens
• Fineliners and markers
• Watercolours and acrylic paints
• Oil and soft pastels
• Charcoal and sketching materials
• Erasers and sharpeners
• Technical drawing equipment
• Luxury writing instruments
• Creative kits for children1

Artist Product Lines

Prominent art ranges produced by the company include:

• Polychromos coloured pencils
• Albrecht Dürer watercolour pencils
• Pitt Artist Pens
• Pitt Graphite drawing pencils
• Goldfaber artist series
• Castell 9000 graphite pencils1

Sustainable manufacturing is central to Faber-Castell’s operations. The company manages its own forests in South America to supply renewable wood for pencil production, practises responsible forestry and promotes environmentally friendly production processes alongside certified raw materials.3

Faber-Castell currently:

• Employs approximately 7,000 people worldwide (figures vary slightly by year).
• Operates manufacturing facilities and sales organisations across multiple continents.
• Sells products in more than 100 countries.
• Produces over 2 billion wood-cased pencils annually, ranking it among the largest pencil manufacturers globally.2

Faber-Castell is widely regarded as a premium stationery and art supply brand. Its reputation is built upon:

• High manufacturing quality
• Long-lasting products
• Rich colour performance in artist materials
• Durable graphite pencils
• Innovation in writing instruments
• A heritage spanning more than 260 years3

• Founded in 1761, making it one of the world’s oldest industrial companies still in operation.
• Has remained under the ownership and leadership of the Faber-Castell family for nine generations.
• The Castell 9000 has been in continuous production since 1905.
• The company’s signature dark green colour has become one of the most recognisable visual identities in the stationery industry.1

1. History
2. Faber-Castell history
3. Company – Faber-Castell USA