BIC Rapportannuel2010 en LR

8/3/2019 BIC Rapportannuel2010 en LR

1/68+ TRENDS HIGH TECH BUZZ THE COMPANY SHOPPING CULTURE

MAN ON THE STREET

I TESTED THEBIC COMFORT 4

SHAVER

INTERVIEWWithBruno Bich andMario Guevara

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

BIC AND GREEN

CULTURECarine Brancowitz,an illustrator hookedon BIC ballpoint pens

THE FIRST YEARLY MAGAZINE PUBLISHED BY BIC

N01//2011

A LOOK BACK OVER THE IT PENS OF 2010BIC FashionSPECIAL REPORT

BIC LIGHTERS: QUALITY AND SAFETY FIRST

FIND

INSIDEYO

UR

FREEGIFT

ABAG

HANGER


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Contents

+ TRENDS HIGH TECH BUZZ THE COMPANY SHOPPING CULTURE

Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Buzz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6The Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8CorporateGovernance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Advertising saga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

BIC Fashion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Sharp as a pen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Saety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

The Planet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Sustainable

Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

High-tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Man on the Street . . . . . . . . . . 5

Culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Shopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54Shareholders inormation . 56Last Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Bruno Bich and Mario GuevaraA look back at , a look orward to, the Groups presence in growingmarkets, its innovations, its social andenvironmental responsibility and more.

DUAL

INTERVIEW

BIC lighters: quality and saety irstLighters are subject to strict saetylegislation. Ours come in limitededitions and in multipurpose lighters!

Shavers,the BICDiferenceIn , the companyonce again oundways to innovatein the nonrefillableshaver segment.

BIC and greenBICs commitment to sustainabledevelopment is now part o everything

the Company does. A breakdown.

THISMO

NTHS

TEST

BY

GEORGESC.

I tested the BICComfort 4 shaver14

33 50

40 52

Interview with Carine BrancowitzAn artist who works exclusivelywith BIC pens.

Find yourfree giftinside.fi

Promotional Products

FOCUS ON


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AN ANNUAL REPORT THAT LOOKS LIKEA MAGAZINE?Once again, were adding innovation to ourcommunication. It reads like a magazine, in a convenientsize and with a news magazine layout thats easy to findyour way through, and shows of our avorite products, all to

celebrate the 6th

anniversary o the BIC Cristal ballpointpen. A magazine thats both simple and original, just likeour products. Along with the shareholders review, keyfigures and an interview with the Chairman o the BoardBruno Bich and CEO Mario Guevara, the editorial team hascome up a host o articles about BICs latest developments,how were innovating and our biggest success stories.

These di cult economic times were an opportunity tothink about the BIC model and to analyze the advertisingsaga thats been making headlines with the new

emarketing concept or TippEx. And then, becausei you try it once, youll be convinced, we asked onereporter to try shaving with the new BIC Comort shaver. Lastly, we bring you an interview with illustratorCarine Brancowitz who works exclusively with BICballpoint pens!

Enjoy the magazine,The Editorial Staf

EDITORIALNOW THATS CLEAR


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Buzz

I LIKE BICIn , BIC took stock o itsemployee commitment throughoutthe world. The survey showedthat 90% o employees are proudo the BIC brand 8% are anso the products and 7% believein the company values.

BEST OF

%o employees are

ans o the products

and%believe in company

values

SHAVERS:A VERYECODESIGNEDPAIRBIC Simply Soleil/MissSoleil and BIC SoleilEasy, new, tripleblade,

ecodesigned womensshavers or which BIChas yet again managed

to reduce the amount o rawmaterial used. The BICSimply Soleil/Miss Soleilsecological ootprint hasbeen reduced by 8% andBIC Soleil Easys by %,compared to the versionsfirst launched in Europe.

%in BIC Simply

Soleil ecological impact

%in

BIC Soleil Easy's

A ew examples o where BIC has let its mark

TIPP-EXYOUTUBE CAMPAIGN

The biggest story at backtoschool time this year wasthe Tipp-Ex A hunter shoots a bear viral campaign

on YouTube. It createdquite a buzz in . It wasdeveloped or the British,Italian, German and Spanishmarkets and brings a hunterace to ace with a bear.Viewers are given thechance to rewrite the end o

the story by typing in a word thatcorresponds to one o 42 diferent

endings! Its been viewed morethan 5 million times*

viewedmore than

mtimes *

* To end o March 2011.


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BIC ON HEALTHIn , BIC USA Inc. supportedthe Susan G. Komen or the CureFoundation, which works to fightbreast cancer. The companyscommitment will continue in ,with a total contribution o $,or and .

CARBON DISCLOSUREPROJECT: BIC IS MAKINGTHE PLEASURE LASTThe CDP Carbon DisclosureProject is an internationalorganization that representsa group o 5 major investorsand publishes a yearly report on

how 5 o the worlds biggestcompanies are integratingclimate change into theircorporate strategy. In 2010, orthe second consecutive year,BIC was among the top 20French companies, particularlyin its reduction o greenhousegas emissions.

PATRONAGEBIC IS MAKINGART HISTORY!

The project: catalog and digitize parto Frances national heritage in the

orm o letters and autographsrom Delacroix, Monet, Rodin, Gaugin

and other artists to provide access to themor the general public in the spring o .In order to do that, the INHA the Frenchnational institute or art history and BIC arecooperating to carry out the operation andmake these unique artiacts available onlineat www.inha.r.

,dollars incontributions

boxes o lettersbeing processed

BIC amongthe top

perorming

Frenchcompanies

BIC PHONESPEAKS TO THE PUBLICSince its launch in 8, BIC phone has met withcontinued success. This readytogo, rechargeablephone was developed in partnership with severaldiferent European operators. In , more than5,* units were sold in France, Spain andBelgium. And BIC phone got a make-over, a newdesign available in our un, bright colors. Alsoavailable in gold and red.

* Figures at end o December .Source Orange et Belgacom

more than,*

units sold inFrance, Belgium

and Spain


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Buzz

LIGHT MY FIREFOR CONCERTSMy BIC lighter is the iPhone andiPodTouch application eaturing thelegendary BIC lighter, available sinceearly . Some . million ans havedownloaded the My BIC lighterapplication, now a musthave accessoryor concertlovers. An Android version hasalso been launched on the North Americanmarket. Find out more at mybiclighter.com.

.million

downloads

BEST OFJUST WHATSNECESSARYGETS REWARDSIn , BIC was the only manuacturerto ofer a complete range o 16writing instruments with the NFEnvironnement (NF 400) Frenchecological certification. BIC has ounda winning philosophy create products,but only usingjust whats necessary,with the minimum amount o rawmaterials or evenincluding recycledmaterials, to makelong-lasting, qualityproducts.

ecocertified

products


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BIC SPORTThe Sur category has been the most innovative withthe launch o the BIC SUP 11'4'' ACS, a new board ora new way to sur stand up paddle (SUP). This boardmet with resounding success as soon as it was launched,particularly in the U.S. Its designed or use on both flatwater and waves, and this board in particular ofers thebest quality or the price on the entire market. Only eightmonths ater the board was introduced, its become a majorproduct in a sector with a bright uture.

BICCHOPPERBIC Consumer Products USA has teamed

up with Orange County Choppers (OCC),the amous motorcycle manuacturer. Whatbetter pairing or the BIC Flex mens shaverthan a specially designed chopper romOCC? The prototype was shown onthe popular American Chopper:Senior vs. Junior show in February. In August , the chopperwill be inducted into the SturgisMotorcycle Museum and Hall oFame in South Dakota.

2011BIC-OCC

Partnership

SHEAFFER INTENSITYTHE BIG BUZZIn 2010 a new collection o luxury pens waslaunched worldwide. Sheafer Intensitys cleanlines and elegant looks, combining comort andthe pleasure o writing, have made it the latestsensation. The Sheafer Intensity collectionincludes ountain pens, rollers and ballpoint pens.In New York the product launch was accompaniedby an advertising campaign in late , and

Sheafer Mexico organized a major public relationsevent in which they invited VIPs to come and try outthe new collection.

more than

,SUP sold

in

Available in

countries


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The Company

BIC means quality products and low prices.Overall, the Company's products are % cheaper than its directcompetitor brands. BIC is clearly the winner in this competition.

THE ANSWER

IN A CRISIS

BIC KIDS KIDCOULEURSet o 6 colored elt pensthat wash of skin and mostclothing.

0.18BIC CRISTALBIC has been continually perectingits worldrenowned classic Cristal

or 6 years.

0.16TIPP-EXMINI POCKETMOUSE5 meters o tape toinstantly and neatlymake corrections andrewrite.

1.23

6.67

0.14

BIC SELECTEASY CLICA revolutionary ountain penthat lets you change the inkcartridge in a snap.

BIC KIDS ECOLUTIONS EVOLUTION ultraresistant, colored pencils made rom recycledmaterial and NF Environment certified.

0.63

BIC BRITE LINER GRIPThe fluorescent highlighter with acomort grip comes in 5 diferent colors.

Source Nielsen. Prices noted during special ofers available in back-to-school sales in France rom August 1 to September 12, 2010, calculated per unit.


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EconoBIC

A BREAK INTHE CRISISFor back to school in France, BIC

rolled out operationEconoBIC insupermarkets andstationery stores.The more customersbuy, the more they get,by stocking up on itemsin the BIC, BIC Kids,TippEx and Velledaranges to receivea ree git.

What are we ofering?Games, educationalsotware, alarm clocks,a chocolate ondue setits a great way to getuseul products orchildren and adultsduring these tougheconomic times.

EVERYTH

ING

FOR

SCHOOL

FORON

LY

11.91

11.91

0.19

BIC CRISTAL FINEA fine point, perector learning how to write.

1.52BIC 4 COLOURSThis practical in pencomes in ashion colors.

BIC ECOLUTIONSEVOLUTIONAn extremely sturdy graphitepencil made rom recycled material.NF Environnement seal.

0.22

BIC MATIC STRIPESThis mechanical pencilwrites twice as long as agraphite pencil. Irresistiblyun stripes in this limitededition.

0.540.43

BIC VELLEDAWHITEBOARDMARKER 1721Erasable whiteboardmarkers.


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The Company

Against the backdrop o the economic crisis, BIC has done remarkablywell with an increase in sales o 5.%* in . The Baron Bichs

manuacturing philosophy o using just the necessary amount o raw

materials is just as pertinent today as ever. And the Company is alwaysstriving to provide the same high quality or customers around the world.

n the uncertain economicenvironment that developedcountries are experiencing,BICs economic model seems

to be just whats needed to meetchanges in consumer demand. Allthe classics are still on ofer, goodquality at the best prices, along withinnovative, useul products withreal added value.

Some figures to back that up? TheGroup sells million items aday: Combining quality with lowprices allows us to keep conqueringmarket shares, both in developedcountries and developing onessays BIC CEO Mario Guevara. In the company kept its headwell above water. Normalizedincome rom operations increasedby .% thanks to careul attention

to proitability, and at the same

time we continued investing inthe brand to ensure longtermsuccess, the CEO points out.Customers have ormed close tiesto the Company over the years, andit crosses generations BIC is parto the amily, everywhere and in allsectors o society.

3.2 M POINTS OF SALEIt should be said that the companysprices are very competitive.As Marie Saglio, BIC France

manager says BIC is thequality product at the right price.On the whole, the brandsstationery and shaver products are% less expensive than their directcompetitors brands.

RAW MATERIALS DOWNTO A MINIMUMIs there a big secret? Well, notreally; BIC products are designedrom the outset to use only theamount o raw materials thatsneeded, with nothing wasted.Look at BIC Cristal, it has abarrel because you have to hold it;its clear so you can see the levelo the ink; its as light as possibleand has a very simple cap. And

the whole thing can write or twokilometers, Chairman o theBoard Bruno Bich tells us. Hecontinues And millions o userslike it. BIC ofers products at pricesand in stores that are accessibleto everyone through some. million points o sale, romcorner stands to supermarkets, in6 countries. Its no surprise thenthat in the current crisis pricewaryconsumers are locking to thebrand.

BIC is thequality productat the right

price.

What is itthat people like so muchabout the brand?

Price-wary consumers are flocking to BIC.

*like-or-like comparison

I


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Meet


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than we ended , thanksto enhanced competitivepositions.

How do you still manage tocome out ahead given thecontinuing diicult economicsituation?

Bruno Bich: When timesare tough, we perorm even

better! smiling Were usedto ighting competitorswho are bigger than we are.

Exclusive InterviewBruno Bich, chairman o the Boardand Mario Guevara, CEO

Sales up by .%* in ,an increase o .% in Groupnet income, what is youranalysis o BICs progresscompared to ?

Mario Guevara: We hadparticularly good results in or consumer products;growth there was even strongerthan we expected. Im proud oevery category and what theyhave accomplished Stationery,Lighters, Shavers and

Promotional Products. Acrossevery geographic area ourteams have adapted to shits inthe market, and we have gainedmarket shares in our threecategories in both developedand developing countries.At the same time,we have managed to improvethe eiciency o our productiontools and increase proitability.We started stronger

Providing consistent qualityin our products throughoutthe world, wherever they aremanuactured, combined withthe right price, is the key. Ourconstant goal is to satisy ourcustomers retailers and ourconsumers by oering productsthat meet their everydayneeds or their desires. Theexperience o our customers

throughout the worldand the relationshipsthat we have orged

with them are also a realsource o strength.And all o this iscoordinated bytopquality management.At BIC, employeeshave the opportunity totake on responsibilities,grow their careers

and lourish. This is relectedin their engagement to BIC.

With BIC products, consumers always get more or their money, Chairman othe Board Bruno Bich tells us. With the economy still in diicult times, the Group,under the leadership o Mario Guevara, has managed excellent results in .

Whats their secret weapon?

INTERVIEW BY CHRISTOPHE VIDAL

*on a comparative basis.

The repeated satisfactionof our consumers is thefoundation of our brand'sstrength.Bruno BICH


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You acquired NorwoodPromotional Products andAntalis Promotional Products.Is their integration goingwell, and how are sales inAdvertising and Promotional

Products?

M.G: The teams workedhard to streamlineproduction, centralize theheadquarters, eliminatenonstrategic business activityand reorganize the low osupply rom Asia. At the same

time they have managed tostrengthen the brands andconsolidate the sales orce.However, the ull beneits othese eorts will not be realized

or another one to two years.As ar as products go, doesBIC still manage to stand outrom its competitors or itsinnovation and quality?

B.B: We certainly do. We alwayshave innovative and highquality products or consumersto enjoy, but at aordable

Meet

In which markets has theGroup done particularly well,and which ones need a littleboost?

M.G: We reached our objectives

in almost all our categoriesin most geographic areas.In developing countries,particularly in Latin America,sales increased by more than% or the third year in a row.Growth was strong in NorthAmerica 5% especially orlighters.

In Europe, business wasntas brisk, but we have gainedmarket shares. In these diiculteconomic times, customersare looking to BIC more

than ever because they knowthat our products oer anexcellent qualityprice ratio.Across all areas we havecontinued to invest in thebrand, which strengthens ourposition and paves the way oruture growth in some countrieslike Australia, Russia andBrazil.

prices. The BIC Flex shaverwith our new moveable bladetechnology, the BIC Easyhybrid shaver, the multipurpose BIC Megalighterand our new products

represented % osales in . Asor our classicproducts, ourconsumers havebeen telling us

or years thatthey know

they

cancounton us orexcellent qualityand consistentlyreliable products.

In , BIC wasrecognized or thetransparency o theinancial inormationit provides andor the qualityo its corporategovernance. What doyou have to say aboutthis very high praise?

Mario Guevara

Across every geographicarea and product categoryour teams have adaptedto shifts in the market.


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B.B: Ethics and transparentinancial inormation,especially or our individualshareholders, have been part

o the Groups values,since it became a listed

company. This meansthat BIC enjoys the

utmost trust romits partners.

BIC is alsoamong thetop Frenchcompanies

or includingsustainable

development intheir business

strategy. What areyour priorities or

?

M.G: Our sustainabledevelopment approach

is increasinglyintegrated at alllevels throughoutthe Group, and allo our employeeshave adopted its

principles. In we will continueto develop

products withenvironmental

beneits, todisplay ourecovalues

on ourpackaging

and the ecolabel in France,

BRUNO BICH AND MARIO GUEVARA FAVORITE COLORS AND STYLESWhats your absolute favorite BIC pen?Bruno Bich: the BIC Reaction Gel penMario Guevara: the BIC Briteliner Clic retractable highlighterWhich color in the BIC 4 Colors do you always use up first?B.B: blueM.G: blueWhich razor do you use to shave?B.B: the new BIC Flex 3, with three independent moveableblades thats been launched in France in the spring o 2011.M.G: BIC Flex our with moveable blades thats beenlaunched in the U.S. and is already number one in the mensnon-refillable, quadruple blade market.

and to implement our policy oexcellence in the actories whilereducing our CO emissionsand developing our employeesskills. A new barometer or will measure ourperormances and progresswith clearlydeined goals inwater and energy consumption,waste management and ISO in the actories, alsointegrating the BIC APPactivity. In parallel, we willpursue our commitment toenabling our consumers tomake responsible choices.

What message do you have orshareholders and employees?

B.B: First, I would like to

thank our shareholders whohave remained so loyal andthe many BIC employeeswho work to produce sae,high quality products everyday. We have a solid balancesheet, vast experience in ourmarkets and we design andmanuacture products that areconstantly improved and morecompetitive. Were continuing

to gain market shares, whichshows that our customers andconsumers trust us.

Would you like to addanything or the generalpublic?

B.B: Try our new products;I think you'll be quicklyconvinced by their excellentquality and reasonable price.Theyre in keeping withthe brands values simple,inventive and reliable, at theright price around the world.And these values are even moreimportant in economicallydiicult times.

NET SALES1,831.5 M

314.9 MNORMALIZED INCOMEFROM OPERATIONS

17.2%NORMALIZED IFO MARGIN


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Figures

9

+ .%AS REPORTED+ .%AT CONSTANTEXCHANGE RATES

+ .%ON A COMPARATIVEBASIS

%Europe

%North America

NET SALESin million euros

NET SALES 2010by geography

transparent accountingBIC

,.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURESin million euros

9

,.

%Developing markets

(Latin America, Oceania, Asia, Middle East and Africa)


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Europe North America and Oceania Latin America Middle East, Africa and Asia

NET SALES 2010by category

%Shavers

%Lighters

%Advertising and

Promotional products

%Stationery

%Other products

9,313

9,6952009

2010

WORKFORCEby geography

,

,

,

,

,

,


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Figures

NORMALIZED INCOME FROM OPERATIONSin million euros

GROUP NET INCOMEin million euros

9

+ .%AS REPORTED

.

.

GROUP

STATIONERY

LIGHTERS

SHAVERSADVERTISING AND

PROMOTIONALPRODUCTS

OTHERPRODUCTS

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2009 2009 2009 20092010 2010 2010 2010

..

2009 2010

..

20092010


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NORMALIZED IFO MARGINin percent

FREE CASH FLOWAFTER ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS

in million euros

9

.

.

As part o the Grand Prix de laTransparence (Transparency Awards)organized by Labrador and theuniversity Sciences Po, BIC was chosenrom among the largest Frenchlisted companies and was awardedfirst prize in the Consumer Goods andHealth segment as well as the GrandPrize or Transparency, all itemsand all sectors combined.

* based on assumed consolidation o Norwood PP in . Figures not audited.

BIC RECOGNIZED FOR THETRANSPARENCY OF ITSFINANCIAL INFORMATION

GROUP

LIGHTERS

SHAVERS ADVERTISING ANDPROMOTIONAL

PRODUCTSSTATIONERY

.

.

.

..

.

.

.*

.

..

2009 2009 2009 2009 20092010 2010 2010 2010 2010


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Corporate Governance

06

06 09

07

BIC03

06

01

02 04 05

07 08

111009


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Bruno BICHChairman

Mario GUEVARADirector and CEO

Franois BICHDirector and Executive Vice President

MariePauline CHANDON-MOTDirector

John GLENDirector

Gilles PLISSONDirector

MarieHenriette POINSOTDirector

Frdric ROSTANDDirector

Pierre VAREILLEDirector

Socit MBD(2)Director

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

23

team

02 Franois BICHLighters

03 Ed DOUGHERTYStationery and Shavers

04Benot MAROTTEStationery

05Nicolas PAILLOTAdvertising and Promotional

Products

01 Mario GUEVARA

Chie Executive O cer

06Billy SALHAEurope

07Chris MILLSNorth America

08 Edgar HERNANDEZLatin America, Oceania, Asia,Middle East and Arica

02 Franois BICH

Executive Vice President

09MarieAime BICH-DUFOURLegal

10Franois EYSSETTEHuman Resources

11Jim DIPIETROFinance

09MarieAime BICH-DUFOUR

Executive Vice President

OFFICERS

OPERATIONS

John GLEN Chairman (1)

douard BICH Socit MBD

Pierre VAREILLE (1)

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Gilles PLISSON Chairman (1)

MarieHenriette POINSOTFrdric ROSTAND (1)

COMPENSATION ANDNOMINATION COMMITTEE

Award or Governance 2010BIC received top honors or perormanceo its corporate governing bodies, a prizeawarded by the French economic andfinancial magazine, Agefi as part o itsCorporate Governance Awards.

Independent. Bich amily holding company, represented by douard Bich.

DELOITTE & ASSOCISStatutory Auditors

GRANT THORNTONStatutory Auditors

BEASSubstitute Auditors

INSTITUT DE GESTION ETDEXPERTISE COMPTABLESubstitute Auditors

AUDITORS


26/68


27/6825

Advertisingsaga

Throughout , we have investedin our brand, particularly with theidea o ensuring uture growth, saysMario Guevara. In Brazil, where thestationery market is upandcoming, theBICool campaign is mainly targeted atteenagers. In Russia, the BIC shaver

has ads in subways and on the street.In France, the BIC ad eatured thereturn o Eric Cantona. Fiteen yearsater his irst ad or BIC, the companysought him out once again to promotethe BIC Recycle operation. With a nodto sustainable development, Cantona looks at his younger sel and saysI think whats really sensitive is theplanet. As or mysel, Im responsible.Raymond Poulidor, McEnroe andothers, BIC has had its share oexperience with VIPs. In South

Arica, Tendai Mtawarira, the rugbyplayer known as the Beast has been

the brand ambassador or the past years, says Edgar Hernandez, heado developing countries operations.And all o it has the same sidesplittinghumor ound in the interactive TippEx campaign that went viral onYouTube see the Buzz page.

SIMPLE, TO THE POINT ANDCHEEKYIn 95 the amous poster designerRaymond Savignac developed BICsfirst advertising campaign and nearlyten years later drew the brands littleboy. The deining characteristic oBICs communication is its abilityto stand out with a simple message,but one that makes sense, explainsBilly Salha, head o operations inEurope. Its simple, to the point and

sometimes cheeky, like the BICphone campaign in France, touting a

Ready to use mobile, seeking easy, nostringsattached relationship; and itsjust as likely to be activist like the BIC Good encouraging shaving yourhead to benefit a charity. The Groupalso works on making campaigns thatuse the brands basic values quality,perormance and the right price likethe BIC gives you more idea. BIC,

always going the extra mile or theirconsumers.

The Web: a dynamicmedium or BICTipp-Ex on YouTube, the 3rdseason of the French Perles du

Bac on Dailymotion, Facebookand YouTube, the special

Shave the Traders website.BIC is making a buzz on the web.Have a look.

BIC and advertising in ? Eric Cantona was back, more environmentally

responsible this time around, a hilarious Tipp-Ex concept went viralon YouTube, and the slogan BIC gives you more or your money

was heard round the world. An analysis.


28/6826

Trends

BIC products in D.

A LOOK BACK OVERTHE IT PENS OF 2010

Ballpoint pens, rollers, pencils, born yesterday or celebrating their 6thbirthdays like BIC Cristal, theyre all a hit around the world, hot colors andshapes, guaranteed better or the environment, with signature new technologySchoolchildren, businessmen and women, graphic designers, teachers,engineers, workers everyone has one handy.As the number one business in writing, BIC has sold more than millionballpoint pens since 5; thats enough ink to draw a line to the moon and back,more than times. How about that?

BIC

Fashion


29/6827

BIC 2 COLOURSPINK

Limited EditionWild about you

BIC 2 colors, pink:Boys and girls, when you get out your limited edition BIC Colours, youll turn some heads. Its the pen o the year. A perectpair with un colored ink girly pink and turquoise, at your service. Its a retractable ballpoint pen, with a medium point, pink barrel and clip. Everythingyou need


30/6828

BIC Ecolutions Evolution: did somebody say sustainable development? The eraser-tipped BIC Ecolutions Evolution graphite pencil is made

o 5% recycled material, part o the BIC Ecolutions range, newly expanded or . This wood-ree graphite pencil is made o synthetic resin.With a solid HB graphite lead, this pencil can stand up to being chewed on by children or adults. Like 5 other BIC products, it has been given theFrench NF Environment label. BIC Reaction: welcome to high-tech. The BIC Reaction will make it eel like the utures here already with a shockabsorbing system or optimal writing comort. Its retractable and has quality, quick-drying ink. For sensitive writers, the experience is a gentle one,

BIC REACTION

The pleasure is mine!

BIC ECOLUTIONSEVOLUTIONGRAPHITE PENCIL

Green is good


31/6829

and the pen lasts so long, about .8 km. On the technical side, the nickel silver point measures . mm; the cartridge is spring-mounted. And the height

o class, the metal cone is chrome plated and the barrel, colored to match the ink, is covered in a ull length grip. Youll be won over. The Ecolutionsversion is made o 74% recycled material. And so you dont waste a second o your time, BIC has made it easily refillable (in black and blue). Now thatssharp. Velleda marker:its the avorite erasable marker at back-to-school time. A range o colors, alcohol based inks, plastic barrel, .5 mm line width,especially made or dry erase boards. As popular with students as it is with teachers!

BIC

VELLEDA

MARKER

Hooray for back toschool!


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Trends

BIC Cristal : 6 years old in ! Happy birthday to BIC Cristal, the pen sold in over 6 countries. Its the best selling ballpoint pen in the world, and it

never goes out o ashion. It is still just as modern today, 6 years later. As i we needed to remind anyone about it, this classic ofers quality, quick-drying inkor smooth writing or km. The tungsten carbide ball point is perectly round and highly resistant. The medium point measures . mm and the line width.4 mm. The original, ingenious design means a hexagonal shape that wont easily roll o your desk. The barrel is transparent so you can easily see the levelo ink, and the cap and plug color match the ink color.

BIC CRISTAL

Still going strong!


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n the lightweight 5.8 g BIC Cristal pen, not a thing isunnecessary. Every part contributes to one sole purpose writing, or as long as possible, a minimum o km. Whichmeans that with one single BIC Cristal, the writer can

complete 986 Sudokus or write 56 post cards, about twice aslong as with nearly every competing product.

We guarantee the same qualityand ease o writing, to all ourusers, no matter where they arein the world, rom the beginningto the end o the pen, says BrunoBich. He adds, Because we

manuacture the ink, the points...,the balls, which we measuredown to the micron, ourselves we can produce this consistentlyexceptional quality every day or our millions o products. BICshightech procedures are careully monitored by strict, rigorousquality controls.

How does it happen? The pens ball points are made o a tungstencarbide powder. Theyre hardened in an oven where they becomeas hard as diamonds. Then theyre vitrified and ground to becomeextremely strong, perect spheres. Lastly, the ball point is insertedinto the point support and the precision checked to ensure thequality o the writing. BICs extensive technical knowledge

means the flow o ink is completely controlled, says PhilippeHerard, Industrial and R&D manager.

The Group is celebrating the 6th

anniversary o the BIC Cristal pen.This emblematic product marked the first conquest in the now widerange o stationery: ballpoint pens, ountain pens, rollers, mechanicalpencils, the BIC Ecolutions line, correction, marking and coloring

products, and not orgetting glue, scissors and more, the majority o themmade in BICs own plants. A close-up look at the secrets that go into

making pens unlike any others.

Sharpas apen

BIC means2 km of writing,

minimum.

After its manufacturing, thepoint is tested in order to checkall quality criteria throughvarious writing checks.

I


34/6832

Trends

MADE FORCREATIVITYIn the BIC Mark itmarker range broughtmore colors to kids andparents who like arts andcrats so that they can beeven more creative. For thelast backtoschool period,BIC innovated again andintroduced a grip versiono the Colours, anallinone ountain pen,a new line o rollers andan extended line o BICEcolutions, made romrecycled material.

60 YEARS OF BALLPOINT EXPERTISEInnovating since 5. The Group was born or R&D. Special teamswork to constantly improve products and ensure the high-level oquality BIC demands. Their latest innovation is Easy Glide ink.The result o five years o research, the newest generation o BICinks is opening new possibilitiesor consumers. They make or3% smoother writing, and arealready used in the added valuerange. And another advance onthe smooth writing ront, BIChas just launched larger pointson the models, Cristal Large.6 mm, Velocity .6 mm and Atlantis .6 mm. Another eat, theGroup has managed to up its markers cap-of time. This meansthey can sit uncapped without drying out or quite a lot longer

than their competitors. Thats good news or schoolchildren,and it really lives up to the slogan BIC gives you more or yourmoney.

We measurethe ball points downto the micron.

BIC Cristal: 60 years old already! A ballpoint pen sold in 160 countries.

BIC ONFACEBOOKA community o riendshas sprung up around BIC.In the United States, theFacebook BIC MarkItpage has nearly 50,000 ans.In France, the third seasono the viral Perles du Baccampaign has been viewed by, ans, and the Sheaferbrand has just made its veryown Sheafer Pen page onFacebook. A passion or BIC.


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ADVERTISING ANDPROMOTIONAL

PRODUCTS

the Groups4th category


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BICPRINTS YOUR

BRANDS

BIC has been present in the Advertising and Promotional Products marketsince the late 1960s with BIC Graphics writing instruments. Today BIC APP is the number 1supplier in the United States and number 2 in Europe. In 2010, BIC APP officially became

the 4th category at BIC, representing 20% of its sales.

ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS

Advertising and promotional products are one of the most effective and profitable

advertising choices. This sector has been impacted by the recent economical crisis,

explains Mario Guevara, CEO of BIC, but Advertising and Promotional Products remains

a market with strong potential for growth in mature economies and in the longer term,

it has a rosy future in growing economies.

SINCE 2007, BIC HAS ACQUIRED THREE COMPANIES

The business? It consists of printing logos or advertising messages to support a company's marketing

and media strategy, on items such as pens, clothes, bags, awards, calendars and drinkware. BIC has

been involved in promotional writing instruments since the late 60s, and they stepped up their

diversification in 2007 by acquiring Atchison Products, a North American company that prints and

distributes bags. In 2009, the time had come for European Antalis Promotional Products to join the

Group, followed by Norwood Promotional Products, the 2nd largest supplier in the United States of

non-apparel advertising and promotional products two acquisitions that provided BIC with major

new development potential.


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20 %OF SALES

AN AMBITIOUS MERGING PLAN

We wanted and were in a position to invest when things were slow, says Mario Guevara.

In 2010, in the face of the economic crisis, we put in place an ambitious plan to merge

their activities into our business, thereby consolidating BIC APP manufacturing and logistics

footprint, reduce costs and increase the efficiency of our operations worldwide. The plan

is expected to result in annualized savings of approximately 15 million euros.

While a leader in North America and Europe, BIC APP is also a significant

presence in Latin America, Australia, Africa and Asia (through its sourcing

activities). Every day, throughout the world the 34,000 distributors sell more

than 5 million BIC APP promotional products. Quality imprinting and on-

time delivery are the watchwords of the industry. The streamlining of the

range and reorganization of distribution are in the works.

Pens, clothing, bags, awards and drinkwarecan be printed with the logo or a messagefrom a company, something BIC is wellacquainted with already.


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If you try it once,

you'll beconvincedThe BIC bag hanger: the absolute must among your every day accessories.

HOW DO YOU USE IT? HOW DOES IT WORK?THE WHY AND HOW OF IT ALL

THE BAG HANGER IS A GEM OF AN ACCESSORYFOR HANDBAGSAt a restaurant, in a bar, at the office, at home, never again will your handbag

be left on the floor or a chair. With the BIC bag hanger, you can hang your bag

from the edge of a table using this little, foldable hook how clever!

Even better, the BIC bag hanger slips right into your bag. It will also help

keep your bag cleaner and looking newer for longer. And of course, the BIC

bag hanger is also good for your health, no more contortionist act as you

root around in your bag for your BIC lighter or pen. Now who would have

thought of that? BIC!


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ISOAll BIC pocket lighters meetor exceed the specificationsor the ISO 4 internationalsaety standard.

The person using it might have a hardtime imagining it, but a BIC lighter hasbeen subject to more than 5 checksbeore it goes to the market. All theemployees in a BIC lighter plantspend 5% o their time checking thequality o the product. I not designedand manuactured correctly, a lighter

can present a danger since its purposeis to create a flame rom a pressurizedgas reservoir with a lighting system,Franois Bich reminds us; he hasbeen head o operations or lighterssince the categorys beginnings.The Group has thereore developedunique processes and industrial toolsintegrating the latest technology,which have allowed it to mass producelighters according to the highest

standards in terms o quality, saety

and perormance since 7. AllBIC pocket lighters meet or exceedthe International Saety StandardISO 4 specifications. This standardsets the technical specifications thatthe product must meet (maximumflame height, resistance to elevatedtemperature, flame extinction, etc.) in

order to ensure that a lighter conormsto basic saety criteria.

BIC ALWAYS COMMITTEDTO SAFETYWhile this saety standard has been arequirement in Europe since March ,8, some companies on the marketstill dont conorm to it . BIC denouncesthese abuses. Tests required by theEuropean Commission showed that

about three out o our models o

Lightersquality and saety firstEvery day, 5 million BIC lighters are purchased

around the world. BIC is n worldwide in branded

pocket lighters. This success is due first and oremostto the quality and saety o the BIC lighter,

and or that, the Group goes all out.

Safety

. Guard... Sparkwheel: made o cheeks and a sparkwheel.

. Hood.. Fork: composed o a orkand a pusher. Fork spring. Flint. Flint spring.. Jet: composed o a jet anda globe seal... Valve: composed oa valve body, a membrane anda disk. Body. Gas. Base

. Ball


40/6834

Safety

lighters sold in Europe and tested by Veritas

or PROSAFE do not meet the ISO 4international saety standards. That can haveserious consequences or the user, those closeto them and the environment. Some countriesin Europe are working hard to put an end tothe numerous dangerous lighters on theirmarket.

Every BIC lighter undergoes more than 5separate automatic quality checks, during itsassembly, explains Ren Frigire, in charge

o Quality and Saety or BIC lighters.Once assembly is completed, the lighting,height, stability and extinction o the flameare controlled using the latest technology,digital video cameras and gas, flow, proximityand orce detectors. These checks are putin place to ensure that % o BIC lightersunction correctly beore they leave theactory, guaranteeing maximum security,Ren Frigire adds.

DelrinBIC uses one o the

strongest plastics inthe world Delrin,made by DuPont deNemours

DURING ASSEMBLY.

inspections

CULTURE UP IN FLAMESIn February 2005 the BIC J1 Maxi lighter with adjustableflame was made a part o the collection o the Departmento Architecture and Design o the Museum o Modern Art oNew York (MoMA). In 2010 it was on view at the exhibitionShaping Modernity: Design 1880-1980 in the PhilipJohnson Architecture and Design Galleries at the MOMA.

Did you know?About three out o our models o lighters sold inEurope dont meet the ISO 999 InternationalSaety Standard, which determines the technicalspecifications a lighter must meet. In September

2010, BIC lodged a complaint with the EuropeanCommission against the Netherlands, accusedo not doing enough to control the lightersentering or sold in the Netherlands.


41/6835

BIC Megalighter:GET A HANDLE ONYOUR FIRE

Rockin lighters onthe winner's podiumIn the United States, sales o BIC lighterscontinue to progress thanks to the e cient

communication about their quality and saety,increased availability in various points o saleand new decorated series that are a big hit. Justhow popular? The BIC Special Edition RockBands series won the CSP magazines BestProduct o competition.

A new multi-purpose, flexible tube lighter was launchedin in North America, the BIC Flex Wand.Perect or barbecuing and camping.

BIC is number in the world or multipurpose

lighters.

BIC lighters meeting

the highest standardsor qualityIn BICs our manuacturing plants in France,Spain, the United States and Brazil, all ISO certified, the lighter production processis under control. The latest technologiesare used to guarantee saety and quality,which go hand in hand with the highest levelo expertise. The production teams throwthemselves into the quest or perectionboth in developing and manuacturing their

products.

BIC Megalighter, a multi-purpose lighter handyor candles, gas stoves, the barbecue and more.It provides up to 75 lights, a clear view o the gaslevel and a handy hook or storage.


42/6836

The Planet

Around the worldin 2010BIC products are available in more than 3. million pointso sale across 6 countries. In BIC won market shares

in all geographic regions in all three product categories,

both in developed and developing countries.

Mproducts chosen every dayaround the world.*4 million stationery products*5 million lighters* million shavers*5 million advertisingand promotional products

,employees

%o BIC actories are located in highlyand very highly developed countriesand 8% in countries with mediumhuman development, according tothe Human Development Index (HDI)o countries.

%o BIC products areproduced by BIC,in its own actories.

STATIONERY

LIGHTERS

SHAVERS

ADVERTISING ANDPROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS

MAINFACTORIES


43/6837

STATIONERY

N1EuropeAricaLatin America

N2North AmericaOceania

ADVERTISING AND

PROMOTIONALPRODUCTS

N2Worldwide

LIGHTERS

N1in the world orbranded pocketlighters

SHAVERS*

N2EuropeNorth AmericaLatin America

* on the non-refillableshaver market

BIC POSITION IN ITS MARKETS


44/6838

The Planet

EUROPE

In Europe, BIC won market

shares, thanks in particular toa strong back-to-school period.

The limited edition BIC Colours Fashion helped the

brands positive outcome, asdid BICs well-known expertisein ballpoint pens and coloring.9 out o the top 10 selling pro-ducts over the back-to-schoolperiod in France were BIC

products*!

Hooray or

back to school!

thanks to new items and general support or thebrand, an example o which is the communication

campaign in Russia.

LIGHTERBIC quality and saety

was a year o bold,memorable advertising

investments such as the Tipp-Ex campaign on YouTube(A Hunter shoots a bear)

BIC launched a major communication campaignto inorm its wholesalers and distributors, as well

as consumers themselves, about the qualityand saety o BIC lighters.

BIC innovating

inAds

or the 3rd series o the viralcampaigns in France Les Perles

du Bac.

In , as North America slowlyemerged rom the recession, BICincreased its market share in stationerythanks in particular to its More or yourMoney positioning and support to new

products including the BIC Triumphand Easy Glide ranges.

LIGHTERS:trusted leadership

The consumers and customers continued trust in

BICs quality and saety, combined with the launches

o successul new lighter designs, the new BIC

Flex Wand multi-purpose lighter and continued

improvements in distribution, resulted in a strengthened

lighter category leadership position.

Outpacingthe competition

A strong emphasis on the BIC More For YourMoney promotional campaign supportedby the successul launch o new products

including the BIC Flex 4, Hybrid Advance,and Soleil Bella resulted in BIC being

ranked number two in the non-refillable shavercategory.

NORTH AMERICA

SHAVERSSALES MOMENTUM

A GOOD SHOWINGIN EASTERN EUROPESHAVERS

* Source : GK, BTS 2010, weeks 2 to 3.


45/6839

Brazil continued its promotion o the BIC Coolcampaign in 2010. As a result, BIC continued tocreate brand loyalty among todays consumers.BIC products were particularly popular during

the back-to-school season.

BIC COOLPUTTING BIC IN THE HANDS OF CONSUMERS

In , BIC was present in Chile ater theearthquake in March. Employees were there,

helping to rebuild one school.

BIC, working hard or others

+++ or all countries,all products

BIC ully developed theCristal amily, as well as

markers, and launched theMentor graphite pencil.

In lighters, new serieso decorated items were

marketed, and the distribution

network was strengthened. Shaver salesalso increased: stepped up sales in triple-

blades and strong growth o sales o classic1- and 2-blades.

Stronger presenceMIDDLE-EAST AND AFRICA

ASIA

Throughout Asia all countriesachieved significant growth

across all categories, thanks inparticular to the introductiono new stationery products

and a strengthening o lighterdistribution. 5, new points osale were added or this category.

In Japan, the InternationalSaety Standard ISO 4

was implementedor lighters.

Double-digit growth in this region resulted in stationery andshavers gaining a more solid presence in the market while lighters

continued to gain increased distribution. Continuous strategiceforts to build relationships with distributors and consumers, have

strengthened BIC presence in the region.

The Trust BICadvertisingcampaign rolledout in theMiddle East inassociation with

point-o-saleactivities.

DEVELOPING MARKETS

LATIN AMERICA

OCEANIA

In Oceania (Australia and

New Zealand), BIC once again

strengthened its position

and earned market shares in

all categories. BIC lighters

maintained their marked

dominance in the area through

point-to-point distribution.

The Express yoursel stationery

marketing campaign was well

broadcasted in all media outlets.

NEW PRODUCTLAUNCHES AND

INCREASEDDISTRIBUTION

Developing Markets . M net sales % o the Groups sales +,% on a comparative basis

Europe . M net sales % o the Groups sales +,% on a comparative basis

North America . M net sales % o the Groups sales +,% on a comparative basis


46/68

07

08

40

Sustainable Development

BICand greenBIC products are designed and manuactured leaving out anything thatis superfluous. Lightness, quality and long-lasting have been the Groupsguiding principles since 5. In 4, BIC committed to a sustainabledevelopment approach, and in January 8, the Company took another

major step, setting ambitious but realistic goals or the end o concerning products, plant management, logistics and relations withemployees and communities. This management tool, the

BIC the barometer or sustainable development,has helped bring about major progress.Six years later on, what results havecome out o BICs commitment?

MAKING IT SAFE

BIC products are subjected to multiple quality/saety tests. Inks are reviewed by an independenttoxicologist and every lighter undergoes 50automated controls beore it is available or sale.

05

OPTIMIZING TRANSPORT

BIC measures its greenhouse gas emissionsand works to reduce the number o miles thatreight orwarders run empty. The Groupseeks to avor transportation methods that

pollute less or the same service.

06

DIVERSIFIED, RESPONSIBLEDISTRIBUTION

Product distribution is adapted to the local requirements

and possibilities. As part o the commitment to sustainabledevelopment, BIC gives presentations to and leadsactivities with its customers, o ce supply distributors andcommercial purchasers.

07

LONG LASTING

2 km o writing or a BIC Cristal ballpoint pen,3,000 lights or a BIC Maxi pocket lighter and morethan 10 shaves with a BIC triple-blade shaver.

08

PHILANTHROPIC PROJECTS

BIC subsidiaries and distributors are present inmany diferent countries where they support localhumanitarian actions through product donations,

financial aid and employee volunteer work.

09


47/68

01

02

0309

04

0506

41

MADE BY BIC

BIC manuactures more than 80% o its products inits own actories. % o employees work in ISO 1001certified actories, and that figure will soon rise to 80%.The management systems help reduce energy and

water consumption and CO2 and waste production.

ECODESIGN

Starting at the product design phase, a measurementtool enables BIC to work on ways to reduce theenvironmental impact o a product or its entire liecycle. This process has been approved by the Frencheco-label NF Environment granted or 1 BIC writinginstruments.

RAW MATERIALS

TO A MINIMUMBIC decreases its use o ossil uel productsby minimizing the quantity o materials used,by using new recycled materials and by developingrefillable products.

WORKING WITHMEN AND WOMEN

BIC is committed to skill development and

training or employees, particularly throughBIC University and the strong values that

the Group shares with its employees.A Code o Conduct derived rom the

standards o the InternationalLabour Organization is in place

in actories.

01

02

03

04


48/6842


This year the sustainabledevelopment program at BIC hascome into its own. Weve noticed that

all the categories have really taken the processon board, notes Christine Desbois, Directoro Sustainable Development at BIC. BIC wasthe first writing instrument manuacturer to

receive the French o cial NF Environnementecological label NF, granted by AFNOR.To date, 6 BIC products have been grantedthe label, including classic products like theBIC Cristal ballpoint pen sold in boxeso 5 and BIC Colours as well as BICEcolutions products manuactured usingrecycled material. With these products we are

meeting customer demand or responsibleproducts that are certified less harmul or theenvironment, notes Christine Desbois. Thisdeep commitment to sustainable developmentwas highlighted and included in the Groupscommunication with operation BIC recycleand its advertising campaign eaturing EricCantona. Objective help French consumersrecycle their BIC shavers.

ECODESIGNED PRODUCTSWe measure the environmental impact o ourproducts over the entire lie cycle, explainsChristine Desbois. All o the research anddevelopment teams at BIC work with SimaProecodesign sotware or the creation o theirpens, lighters and shavers; it enables them seethe environmental impact o a product startingat its design phase. Many BIC products aredesigned to have a minimal ecological ootprint,like the ecodesigned BIC Easy/BIC HybridAdvance hybrid shaver that provides 6 dayso shaving with an environmental impact thats

(Top) Ecodesign to reduce environmental impact.(Bottom) The BIC Shaver plant in Longueil-Ste-Marie(France) has been awarded triple certification, ISO

9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001.

Research for new materials.

BIC is the first manufacturer to begranted the NF Environnement*eco-label.

*The mark NF Envrionnement is the o cial French ecological label.


49/6843

been reduced by 59% over its entire lie cycle. Itwas such a success that the Group is extendingthe line with the womens BIC Soleil Easyshaver in .

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY, BICMANUFACTURES IN ITS OWN PLANTSThe Group manuactures more than 8%o its products in its own actories. In 7,BIC deployed its Environment and Health &

Saety Management Systems to reduce energyand water consumption and CO and wasteproduction. The Company has begun ISO certiication and 6 plants were grantedcertiication in , three in France, one inMexico, one in the United States and one inBrazil. 66% o employees work in ISO certified actories, and that figure will soon reach8%. In July o last year the BIC shaver actoryin LongueilSteMarie France became theCompanys second triplecertified actory withISO 9 Quality, ISO Environmentand OHSAS 8 Health and Saety.

THE COMPANYSRANKING INSUSTAINABLEDEVELOPMENTINDEXESBIC is listed in three majorindexes or sustainabledevelopment, FTSE GoodEurope, the ASPI Eurozone

and Ethibel ExcellenceIndex Europe. And urtherproo o how importantsustainable developmentis or the company, or thesecond year in a row BICwas listed among the top

20 perorming companiesor including climatechange in their strategy,a listing establishedby the CDP (Carbon

Disclosure Project), aninternational organizationthat represents a groupo 53 major investors.For BIC, sustainabledevelopment is a battlethats led on all ronts.

(Top) BIC employees are committed.(Bottom)In France, BIC proposes shaver recycling to consumers.


50/6844


MEASURE TO BETTER REDUCEBIC strives to optimize its transport operationsby measuring its carbon ootprint every year.The company is also working to reduce itspackaging in cooperation with Walmart, itsleading distributor United States. To havean overview o its progress around the world,the BIC Barometer was developed. In threeyears, weve improved by points, saysChristine Desbois.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYIn , the company pursued its commitmentto developing employee skills and providingtraining. An employee satisaction surveydone in shows that with a commitmentrate o 6%, BIC is among the best employers*.We develop their employability, in otherwords we set up programs and trainingsessions that help employees adapt to changesin the work environment, explains FranoisEyssette, Group Human Resources Director.

The company has also instituted a Code oConduct derived rom the standards o theInternational Labour Organization ILO; itapplies to productionunits. Whats more, in the Advertisinga n d P r o m o t i o n a lProducts teams withinBIC APP, who adoptedthe Groups sustainable

development policy in9, received trainingto perorm social auditson subcontractors.

HEALTH

AND EDUCATIONSubsidiaries support their local communityin diferent ways, through productdonations, financial aid and employeevolunteer work. In 2010, 181 activities,representing more than 0.5% o thecompanys income beore taxes, were ledthroughout the world. Given the companysbusiness, BIC works mainly in the areas oeducation and health. These two categoriesaccount or 77% o our actions, notesChristine Desbois.

We are also active in environmentalcauses, emergency humanitarian aidand sports. The Group has carried outoperations in Haiti in the BIC Citizens inaction program and brought its supportto the victims o Hurricane Alex in Mexico.In 2010, BIC USA Inc. also supported the

American Susan G. Komen or the CureFoundation which works to fight breastcancer.

(Top) Mexico: BIC optimizes its transportation operations.(Bottom) BIC is active in humanitarian causes, notablythrough product donations.

Today, 66%of employees workin ISO 14001

certified factories.

For more information, see the SustainableDevelopment Report 2010, available online atbicworld.com

*Hewitt Method


51/6845

VOID


52/6846

SHAVER

The BICDiference

High-Tech

In the company once again ound ways to innovatein the non-refillable shaver segment: the BIC Flex 4

4 moveable blade shaver was launched in the United Statesand the BIC Comort 4 in Europe, and the ecodesignedBIC Easy / Hybrid Advance in the United States and

Oceania.


53/6847

LUBRICATING STRIP WITHALOE VERA AND VITAMIN E

SPRINGS

4 INDEPENDENT SPRING-

MOUNTED MOVEABLE BLADES

RUBBER GUARD BAR

Head o a BIC Flex and BIC Comort shavers


54/6848

BIC is number in Europe andAmerica in one-piece shavers. Everyday across the world millionconsumers choose BIC shavers. In

the Groups shaver sales increased by7% in volume (+7.6% in net sales). Despitea continuing di cult economic backdrop,

our shaver category has achieved excellentresults. Our 'quality and price' positioningplays a big role there, says Ed Dougherty, incharge o the Groups Shaver category.Today shavers represent 7% o sales; they areentirely manuactured in three BIC-ownedplants, where technology is an integral parto the production. For BIC, a shaver hasa simple purpose, to cut hairs. Thats simple,in theory, but to guarantee the success othat mission, the R&D and production teamswork hard to provide the consumer with thebest that technology has to ofer at a very

BIC price. Every one o the 6 million BICblades produced daily is guaranteed to meetthe companys high standards or quality

A blade 2000 times thinner than a human hairIn a ully automated production process(molds, sharpeners, assembly machines),every blade is visually inspected and everyshaver is quality controlled beore it leavesthe actory. We ofer excellent quality atthe right price, points out Thomas Brette,Marketing Manager or Shavers. Our twin-blades are about to 5% less expensivethan our competitors, and the triple-bladesare 3 to 4% less. Producing BIC bladesis really an art, requiring no less than steps, rom the hardening process to the coato chromium and PTFE (poly tetra fluoroethylene) to inhance its perormance. Asor the plastic parts, theyre made by high-

precision injection molding.

Moveable blade

technology6 BIC MODELS WITH THE LATESTTECHNOLOGY, THREE OR FOURMOVEABLE BLADES: BRINGING YOUCOMFORT, SAFETY AND PRECISIONBICs latest technology is being put to good useor men and womens shaving in 2010.The spring-mounted blades move independently,to evenly distribute pressure and absorb shocksduring shaving, providing optimum contact withthe skin and a blade that ollows every curve on

the ace and body.

High Tech


55/6849

THIS BIC

INNOVATIONIS A BURGEONINGSUCCESSThis all in one shaverincludes a handle and sixcartridges, not soldseparately. Sold since 2009in Europe, it is nowavailable under the nameBIC Hybrid Advancein North America andOceania, where its met withstunning success.Ecodesigned, itsenvironmental impact hasbeen reduced by 59% overthe complete product liecycle compared to similar,non-refillable shavers. BICEasys pivoting head sportsa lubricating strip madewith Aloe Vera andVitamin E.

BIC Easy/BIC Hybrid

Advance,60 daysof shaving,minimum

Quality, price, performanceSignature of a brand4 TRULY INDEPENDENTLY MOVEABLEBLADESUsers are flocking to BICs latest technology inshavers, and BIC Flex is already number one inone-piece, -blade or men shavers in the UnitedStates! The -blade BIC Bella also won thewomens vote both in Europe and the United States.

Another reason or the success o the entire rangeo BIC shavers is undoubtedly the attraction othe BIC gives you more or your money campaignthat stressed the products value in some markets.

* Source: IRI, February , USA.

BIC Flex 4

#1one-piece 4-bladeor men in the U.S.


56/6850

Man on the Street

The alarm rings atera short nights

sleep. I have a daybeard, tiredlookingskin, low handeye

coordination at thishour and the bathroom

light is blinding.

I pick up the BICComort 4. Thehandle is long,curved, ergonomicwith nonslip grip,

now that was clever

thinking. In my hand, the shavemakes sense. I turn it all around,

ocus on the blades. Yep, theyreall there.

They tell me it takes separateproduction steps to make oneblade. BIC measures the hardnesso the steel, the sharpening angle,the thickness o the blade, ando course, to make sure its longlasting, they inspect the edge o theblade with an electron microscope.That means it comes out times thinner than a human hair!

Starting to shave.Just a little oam

and here I go. Itsays independent

springmountedmoveable blades to

distribute pressure, providingoptimal contact with the skin anda comortable shave. Soundsgreat, especially since I havesensitive skin. The springs doindeed distribute pressureamong the our blades. Straightaway I can eel the lubricating

I tested theBICComfort 4 shaver.

: a.m. : a.m. : a.m.

THIS

MONTHS

TEST

BY

GEORGE

SC.

:

:

:


57/6851

In , BIC launched the BIC Comort 4 or men, a shaver with4 independently moveable blades. The editors at BICTween us askedone o their reporters to see how it shaves. Extreme conditions test

: a.m. : a.m. : a.m.

strip with its Vitamin E and Aloevera they are known to be good

or your skin.The blue rubber guard bar rightbelow the blades is particularlyefective. It stretches out the skinbeore the blade passes over it,spreads the shaving cream andlines up the hairs or a better cut.I can really eel it. First impression a precise, smooth, easy shavewith no nicks in sight. I keepgoing.

How will the BICComort 4 take the

chin? Im reallytesting it now, andthe pivoting head

gets the job donewithout blinking. The

springs ollow the curves o myace. I push it just a bit urther; thehead adapts perectly to sensitiveareas. Its an efortless shave,precise and comortable. I take alook in the mirror and cant find asingle problem. Zero irritation.

End o the shave.Optimum time o

7 minutes. NowI come to the leastun part, and what

might just be thestumbling block or this

razor the rinse. With our blades,I expect the worst. Not at all.A ew seconds under runningwater and the shaver is perectlyrinsed. Lets do this againtomorrow.

: :


58/6852

Culture

Carine Brancowitz is an illustrator. She works with a host o ashionmagazines and or many major brand names. The first showing

o her work was at the Dexter Gallery in Paris in September , and shewill also be present at the 56th Salon dArt Contemporain de Montrouge

in May . Fun act she works exclusively with BIC pens.

Born in 97, Carine Brancowitz studied illustrationat the Ecole Estienne in Paris. She started her careerin the ashion industry in 996 as the artistic directorin a communications agency. In , she set up shopor hersel as a graphic artist, and in 7 she decidedto ocus on illustration. She has worked with variousmagazines Dazed & Conused, Nylon, Elle Girl, Elle,Die Zeit, Figaro Madame, Playboy, Arena, Avant Garde,Vogue, l'O ciel, to name a ew and major brand namesCline, Testoni, Silvera, Nokia.

INTERVIEW

Bio

Carine Brancowitz


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Why did you choose to use BIC pensfor your illustrations?The BIC Colours ballpoint pen is easyto carry around, it has bright colors and thecontrast o shades is just right. I like thetexture o the ink on diferent kinds o paper,the precise line suits me perectly. Its a greatpen! The black o BIC Cristal is very deep;BIC red is vibrant. Even ater a couple ohours o use, the ballpoint pen doesnt run ormake a mess.

Do you have some favorite pens?I can only get the right look or hair witha BIC Colours fine point, red barrel.For backgrounds or flatter suraces, I useBIC Cristal. Ive tried other brands and incomparison I can say that at BIC, they takequality very seriously! When Im working orthe ashion industry, I can draw really tinydetails because the point gives such a fineline, and materials like leather come out reallywell with a BIC pen, very realistic, lielike.

For their journalistic publications, the Britishand Americans really like the modern yettimeless look o BIC pens.

Whats your relationship to BIC pens?Im not a collector. I must have about5 BIC pens and even more cartridgesor the BIC Colours. People give meBIC pens all the time. I love having ull jarso pens around, its inspiring

For my work, I wishthat BIC would makeyellow ink, not fluorescentand not orangey. The exactshade would be a darkcadmium yellow.

http://carinebrancowitz.com


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Shopping

BUGrip

Briteliner

MissSoleil

MClic

Comics

BIC

or Her

BICor Her

Gel

BICFlex

SimonBernheim

Edition

EcolutionsGlueRoller

2

Products available only in certain markets.

BICMaticMini


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MiniPocketMouse

SoleilEasy

BlackChic

BICAtlantis.6 mm

Cristalor Her

BIC'IN*

BICFlex

Colours

GripPro

Colours

Grip

Megalighter

11 W H A T S N E WW H A T S N E W

* Name used in Europe, Brazil and Mexico.


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Shareholders information

CAPITAL OWNERSHIPAS OF DECEMBER 31, 2010

Shareholdersreview

Public

.% .%

(a) At December 3, , the number o voting rights was 7,6,868 (including voting rights or treasury shares).(b) Treasury shares temporarily without voting right.

VOTING RIGHTSAS OF DECEMBER 31, 2010(a)

SilchesterInternationalInvestors

Public

.%

Bich Family,including MBD

Bich Family,including MBD

.%

.%Treasury stock(b)

.%.%

Treasury stock(b)

.%SilchesterInternationalInvestors


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() For the fiscal year , the company paid a special dividend o . euro.() The Board o Directors will propose an ordinary dividend o . euro at the Annual Shareholders Meeting on May , .

Base - Clture 3 dcembre

BIC SHARE PRICE IN 2010on Euronext Paris

BIC SHARE PRICE SINCE 2000on Euronext Paris

140

130

120

110

100

90

80

CAC

Base closing December 3,

Base closing December 3,

PER SHARE DATAin euros Earnings per share 3.43 3.5 3. 3.5 4.

Net dividend per share .3 .35 .35 .4() .()

Payout ratio 38% 38% 45% 44% 44%

Average number o sharesoutstanding net o treasury shares 4,66,3 4,44,57 48,357,74 48,5,6 48,34,785

CAC

BIC

30

150

90

130

70

110

50

FEB.JAN. APR.MAR. MAY JUN JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. NOV. DEC.

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

BIC


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Shareholders information

Keyindicators

() Shelton real estate acquisition ( million euros).

() A special dividend o . euro per share was paid or the years 4 and .(3) The Board o Directors will propose an ordinary dividend o . euros at the Annual Shareholders Meeting on May , .

in million euros

Net sales ,533.3 ,4.6 ,36. ,64. ,38.8 ,448. ,456. ,4. ,56.7 ,83.5

Income rom operations 56. 5.5 . 7.6 38.4 53. 55.8 .6 6. 34.6

Normalized IFO 5. 4. 58.7 53.5 4.3 3.6 34.

Capital expenditures 6 85 7 7 () 7 77 83 53 63

Free cash flow ateracquisitions anddisposals

73 86 6 57 47 6 43 6

in euros

Earnings per shareor EPS .4 .3 .3 .5 3. 3.43 3.5 3. 3.5 4.

Dividend per share .65 .8 .8 .() .5 .3 .35 .35 .4() .(3)

UNTIL 2003: FRENCH GAAPFROM 2004: IFRS

UNTIL 2003: FRENCH GAAPFROM 2004: IFRS


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() Organization: since the product categories have been redefined and are now as ollows: stationery (consumer), lighters, shavers,other products (consumer) and advertising and promotional products.

FORMER ORGANIZATION NEW ORGANIZATION(1)

STATIONERY

Net sales in million euros 737.6 74. 673.3 634. 5.6 58.7

IFO Margin 4.4% 5.% 3.4% .% 8.5% .%

Normalized IFO margin 4.% 5.% 4.% .% .6% .%

LIGHTERS

Net sales in million euros 34.6 3.3 376. 38. 48.8

IFO Margin 3.5% 3.% .% 3.% 36.%

Normalized IFO margin 3.5% 3.% .% 34.% 36.%

ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS

Net sales in million euros 88.4 36.6

IFO Margin 8.3% 7.6%

Normalized IFO margin .4% .%

SHAVERS

Net sales in million euros 53.8 66.7 64.3 68.8 37.8

IFO Margin .5% 8.% 4.% .3% 3.6%

Normalized IFO margin .% 8.% 4.% .5% 4.%

BIC 3- and 4-blade one-piece shavers accounted or 4.4% o total BIC one-piece sales in .

FORMER ORGANIZATION NEW ORGANIZATION(1)

OTHER PRODUCTS

Net sales in million euros 6. 84. 6.5 6. 7. .7


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FELL IN LOVE WITHBIC PHONEI recently discovered therechargeable BIC phone. Since Ionly use a cell phone occasionally,I didnt want to have a contract.The BIC phone concept is reallyun, and just what I need. Imhoping there will be new designsor 2011.Pascal P., Clermont-Ferrand,France

When I was visiting your

website, I read that a BIC lighterlights times comparedto an average o or otherlighters with a similar ormat.Thats a huge diference!How do you do it?Elena R., Santiago du Chili

Ed. We use one o the strongestplastics in the world, Delrinmade by DuPont de Nemours,

while lower quality importedlighters use cheaper plasticsthat arent as strong and cantwithstand the pressure o the gasas well. The walls o those lightershave to be much thicker, so theycontain less gas and dont give asmany lights.

Youre currently doing alot o PR about sustainabledevelopment. Doesnt yournewound conscience come abit late?

Jean-Paul W., Metz, FranceEd. We ollow the philosophyo the Companys ounder, BaronBich: manuacture products usingjust whats necessary. We do ourutmost to design and manuacture

products with the least amount oraw materials, without anythingsuperfluous. Lightness, qualityand long-lasting durability are the

principles the Company has livedby since 1950.

Im a teenager; Im just startingto shave and I have troubleunderstanding what makes ablade BIC Comort anybetter. Can you tell me what thediference is?John B., New York

Ed. I youre just learning toshave, this is the perect choice.Thanks to the latest developments

in technology, the blades moveindependently, distributingthe pressure o the blades and

providing optimum contact withthe skin. There is also a widelubricating strip that helps it glidemore easily over the skin.

Last Words

Lettersrom readers

Limited Company capital euros 85,9,856.66Divided into 8,558,86 shares o euro .8Quoted on Eurolist Euronext ParisIsin: FR966Mnemonic: BBContinuous quotation55.8. registered in Nanterre, France

Our users rom around the world keep up with the latest newsand ask questions about our commitments.

Design and production:Redaction: Christophe VidalPhotos credit: Kai Jnemann, BIC Group, Jack Burlot, OlivierLecomte, GettyThis report is printed on FSC certified paper.This document is available onwww.bicworld.com

SOCIT BIC, rue Jeanne dAsnires96 Clichy Cedex, France

www.bicworld.com www.bickids.com www.sheafer.com www.mybiclighter.comwww.flickyourbic.comwww.bicgraphic.comwww.bicsport.com


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BIC Rapportannuel2010 en LR

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