These retractable ballpoint pens from Ningbo Wenkui come in aluminum barrels. They measure 134.4x13mm and weigh 18g.

Vast energy sources solidify this hub’s position as a major production center as it offers a wider range of models.

Accounting for more than 30 percent of China’s output of writing instruments, Ningbo remains the principal hub for the line. This city in Zhejiang province continues to play to its strengths, which are a well-developed network of support industries and established manufacturing systems.

Makers have established long-term partnerships with about 600 local suppliers of raw materials and related components, including ink, barrels, grips and tips.

Additionally, some third-party providers even offer high-quality pen parts produced in the US, Germany, Switzerland, Japan and South Korea.

Ningbo also benefits from its extensive experience in R&D and manufacturing. The majority of companies in the hub, in fact, operate factories that boast automated equipment for plastic injection, molding, ink refilling, metal carving and polishing, silk-screening and assembly.

Further, such processes can be subcontracted to several local specialists, allowing for large-volume production. One company interviewed for this report farms out molding and assembly, boosting its monthly capacity to 2 million pieces.

Makers can also attract a large workforce for various support activities, including management and logistics. As one of China’s key trading portals, Ningbo draws more than 10,000 skilled laborers from neighboring provinces each year.

Fueled by this easy access to various manufacturing inputs, suppliers in the hub are able to offer a wider selection of writing instruments. Ballpoint pens, for instance, may come in plastic and polished metal barrels, and with electronic features such as voice recording and LED message display. Multifunction versions are likewise available.

Ningbo’s writing instruments are competitively priced competitive as well, with most models 5 percent less than similar products from rival hubs in Guangdong province and Shanghai.

According to the Ningbo Stationery Association, the city is home to about 1,000 suppliers of stationery items. Most of these makers are midsize and offer writing instruments as their major product line.

Ballpoint and gel pens, regular and mechanical pencils, and highlighters comprise the bulk of the hub’s output. Whiteboard and permanent markers are gaining in popularity.

Exports go mainly to North America, the EU and Asia. The major customers include Wal-Mart and Acco in the US, Tesco of the UK, France’s Auchan and Japan-based Kokuyo.

Ningbo suppliers are putting great emphasis on the use of imported components under efforts to enhance the writing quality of their products.

Among makers featured, ISO 9001:2000-certified Ningbo Hengsheng Stationery Co. Ltd sources ink from Germany. The company’s releases are compliant with EN 71 and ASTM standards.

The supplier offers the HS-BP-7043 model, a twist-type ballpoint pen that comes in a plastic barrel. Boasting silk-screened or heat-transferred designs, the product is fitted with a lanyard.

Ningbo Hengsheng also manufactures highlighters. It exports all output, mainly to the US, the EU and Asia.

Similarly, Kingways Stationery Co. Ltd procures ink in Germany. Tips, on the other hand, are purchased in Switzerland.

Further, the company’s mechanical pencils are equipped with Taiwan- or South Korea-produced lead. These include model BR7019, which measures 9 to 10.3mm in diameter. It is 135mm long.

Kingways was established in 1970 as a pen refill factory. It expanded recently to include writing instruments such as ballpoint, gel and multifunction pens, whiteboard and permanent markers, and highlighters.

At ISO 9001:2000-certified Ningbo Wenkui Pen-Made Co. Ltd, the latest pens are filled with ink from the US, Germany or South Korea. In addition, these are fitted with Switzerland-made plastic tips.

The company has launched models A148B1 and A167B1, which come in aluminum barrels and feature a retractable mechanism. The products weigh 18 and 13g, respectively.

Ningbo Wenkui also offers stationery and office supplies, including molding clay, glue, rulers, erasers, correction tape, scissors, staplers and punchers. The US, Europe, Russia, Japan and South Korea are the main export markets.

Model KT-PN1038 from Kingtoy Craft (Ningbo) Co. Ltd is a 15cm-long gel pen. It has blue or pink ink, which is procured in Japan or South Korea.

The company’s range includes notebooks, bags, photo albums and frames, and keychains. All output is exported, with North America and the EU as the main markets.

New ballpoint pens from Ningbo Jumson Promo & Stationery Co. Ltd are fitted with nonslip rubber grips for greater writing comfort. Designs and logos can be printed or silk-screened.

The supplier has also released the JGQ68-006 model, a highlighter with a built-in notepaper dispenser.

Ningbo Jumson exports mostly to the US, Europe and Asia. It has received ISO 9001:2000 and 14001 certification.

At Ningbo Highing Stationery & Gift Co. Ltd, retractable ballpoint pens dominate production. Best-sellers contain black, blue or red ink.

A selection of writing instruments from Ningbo, China

Kingtoy Craft (Ningbo) Co. Ltd

Model: KT-PN1038
Minimum order: 20,000 pieces
Delivery time: 40 days
Description: Gel pen; plastic barrel, cap and tip; blue or pink ink color; 15cm length; 9.8g

Model: BR7019
Minimum order: 30,000 pieces
Delivery time: 30 days
Description: Mechanical pencil; plastic barrel; 9 to 10.3mm diameter; 135mm length

Model: HS-BP-7043
Minimum order: 30,000 pieces
Delivery time: 30 days
Description: Ballpoint pen; twist type; plastic barrel; silk-screened or transfer-printed logo; lanyard

Model: 1186D
Minimum order: 2,000 pieces
Delivery time: 20 days
Description: Ballpoint pen; retractable; silk-screened or transfer-printed logo; black, blue or red ink color

Model: JGX65-013
Minimum order: 10,000 pieces
Delivery time: 20 days
Description: Ballpoint pen; plastic barrel; printed logo on lanyard and grip; length 10cm; OPP bag packaging

Model: A167B1
Minimum order: 30,000 pieces
Delivery time: 35 days
Description: Ballpoint pen; twist type; aluminum barrel; plastic tip; black or blue ink color; 141.7x8.6mm; 13g