manufacturing company
Manufacturing is the creation or production of goods with the help of equipment, labor, machines, tools, and chemical or biological processing or formulation. It is the essence of secondary sector of the economy. The term may refer to a r ...
of
stationery
Stationery refers to commercially manufactured writing materials, including cut paper, envelopes, writing implements, continuous form paper, and other office supplies. Stationery includes materials to be written on by hand (e.g., letter pape ...
products. Based in
Bangalore
Bangalore (), List of renamed places in India, officially Bengaluru (), is the Capital city, capital and largest city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It has a population of more than and a metropolitan area, metropolitan population of a ...
, Chelpark is one of the oldest manufacturers of
fountain pen ink
Fountain pen ink is a water-based ink intended for use with fountain pens.
Composition
Fountain pen ink is almost exclusively dye-based because fountain pens operate on the principle of capillary action. Pigment-based inks (which contain sol ...
in the country. The company is located in
Bangalore
Bangalore (), List of renamed places in India, officially Bengaluru (), is the Capital city, capital and largest city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It has a population of more than and a metropolitan area, metropolitan population of a ...
,
Karnataka
Karnataka (; ISO: , , also known as Karunāḍu) is a state in the southwestern region of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act. Originally known as Mysore State , it was renamed ''Karnat ...
Parker Pen Company
The Parker Pen Company is a French manufacturer of luxury writing pens, founded in 1888 by George Safford Parker in Janesville, Wisconsin, United States. In 2011 the Parker factory at Newhaven, East Sussex, England, was closed, and its productio ...
in India, the company was renamed 'Chelpark', when the Bangalore-based Chellaram family took over operations.
History
Around the year 1943 the
Parker Pen Company
The Parker Pen Company is a French manufacturer of luxury writing pens, founded in 1888 by George Safford Parker in Janesville, Wisconsin, United States. In 2011 the Parker factory at Newhaven, East Sussex, England, was closed, and its productio ...
wanted to discontinue its partnership with the TTK group. The Chellaram family, who traded in Parker products in west Africa, we’re asked to associate with Parker for operations in India. After Parker agreed to the terms, both companies commercialised the ''Quink'' Parker ink, giving it a local identity for the Indian market. Therefore, the brandname "Chelpark" (a
portmanteau
A portmanteau word, or portmanteau (, ) is a blend of wordsIndian Ministry of Finance. Parker sold its share in the operation as it became unprofitable. From then on, Chelpark (known only for its fountain pen ink) started expanding to other office stationery products.Company history on Fountain Pen Network When the Chellaram family acquired the majority shares, it changed to "Chelpark Company Private Ltd." in 1985, setting its headquarters in
Bangalore
Bangalore (), List of renamed places in India, officially Bengaluru (), is the Capital city, capital and largest city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It has a population of more than and a metropolitan area, metropolitan population of a ...
,
Karnataka
Karnataka (; ISO: , , also known as Karunāḍu) is a state in the southwestern region of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act. Originally known as Mysore State , it was renamed ''Karnat ...
.
Chelpark faced competition from Camlin and Bril.
Reception
According to Harish Bijoor, a brand expert, Chelpark's success is often attributed to the quality of its ink and pen nibs. Their ink was known for being anti-clogging and non-corrosive, appealing to a wide range of users, from professionals to students.
Advertising
Chelpark promoted its brand primarily through on-ground advertising, including school essay contests, teacher demonstrations and campus activities. The company allocated limited resources to TV or print advertising. It had launched its first advertisement in which it depicted the Parker sticker peeling off from the bottle to reveal the Chelpark logo, and the ad campaign was quite successful.
See also
*
Parker Pen Company
The Parker Pen Company is a French manufacturer of luxury writing pens, founded in 1888 by George Safford Parker in Janesville, Wisconsin, United States. In 2011 the Parker factory at Newhaven, East Sussex, England, was closed, and its productio ...