World's Most Established Classy Writing Instrument Brand
Cross is one of the longest established fine writing instrument brands in the world, competing with brands like Parker, Waterman, Mont Blanc , Sheaffer and more. Cross began line extension into other other classy gift items last year. Tunmise Adekunle writes on the this brand sold in over 150 countries worldwide
Since 1846 from the Industrial Revolution to the Information Age, A.T. Cross Company has reigned as the premier manufacturer of quality writing instruments.
From the English Midlands to the shores of Providence, Rhode Island, five generations of the Cross family refined the jeweller's craft with exacting design and precise tooling to produce the first high quality writing instrument.
The second stewardship of the A.T. Cross Company occurred in 1 91 5, when Alonzo T. Cross offered his top sales person, Walter Boss, the option of purchasing the family business. Innovations such as the ballpoint pen, the concept of gift marketing, and new channels of distribution paved the way for a company with an eye on the future while respecfful of its past.
Founded in 1846 by Richard Cross, when craftsman, inventor and son Alonzo Townsend Cross began to design decorative pencil cases in gold, silver and brass. America's first manufacturer of quality writing instruments followed by the 1888 emergence Parker , Waterman 1883, Mont Blanc 1906 and Sheaffer 1907 Headquartered in Lincoln, Rhode Island Cross is sold in over 150 countries worldwide
In 1873, Alonzo founded his first patent which today has 25 range writing instruments carry his name and has over the years knows no bounds as a name that has come to stay in brands with historical progress.
Cross introduced the Stylographic fountain pen, forerunner of today's ball point pen. This invention was so revolutionary that it became compulsory for all US Post Office Employees to use.
Cross patented the propelrepelexpel pencil mechanism with a turning knob on the barrel for the moving head. Much of the original design is still in evidence today in Cross mechanical pencils.
The customer satisfaction guarantee was first introduced in 1885 to give all customers the assurance of quality and in 1996 the company was purchased by Walter R. Boss, who has been both a salesman and a toolmaker during his many years Cross . The Boss family have run the company ever since, in way Alonzo himself would be proud of, among which include : introduction of the Classic Century pencil to commemorate the company's 100th anniversary with the famous Cross "Lifetime Guarantee" formally introduced and symbolised the legendary Cross commitment to impeccable quality; Introduction of the Soft Tip Pen which later on became the versatile Select tip Rolling Ball Pen; Changed the markets trends by reintroducing fountain pens to its range with over 30 different fountain pens are now available with a choice of nib grades; The launch of the Cross Townsend, a tribute to Alonzo's namesake; Marking the company's 150th Anniversary with a commemorative Limited Edition Pen, to mention a few.
Cross has been a writing instruments that comes with a Lifetime Mechanical Warranty with less than 2% return for repair worldwide, refills are test written, mechanism has been taken to 1,000,000 cycles and still no failures in the operation have been detected, the nib manufacture alone calls for 12 operations and visual inspection is conducted on the nib a minimum of 7 times during manufacture, All FP front sections made in use are tested for smoothness with a personal handwriting test conducted as the final inspection of each front section.
Cross has been an ISO 9001 registered company since 1995 as one of the first companies in Rl to become ISO certified as they are tested to 100,000 propel and repel cycles on a monthly sample basis, Inspected at every stage of production by an Associate, which is at least 120 times.
Personalisation techniques of the Cross four technologies namely: ball point, mechanical pencils, ruler ball and fountain pens is through engraving a Cross writing instrument with a name or initials which makes it a unique possession by drag, deep cut and laser engraving.
Aside its core business focus on pens, the Cross brand last year introduced as line extension in the classy gift business wrist watches, leather cheque book case, key rings, cigarette litters and other personal accessories and gift of inspiration, innovativeness, class and quality.
Even the presence of the likes of wrist watches brands like Mont Blanc, Swatch, Seiko, Calvin klen among others could not deter the $4 million income from wrist watch in the first year.
"Access to the Cross brands has been made easy" says Mr. Dapo Olaiya, the chief executive officer of the Heroes of Faith , the four year old Nigerian gift business and trading distribution outfit that was recently granted exclusive franchise to make the classy Cross brands in Nigeria by making available to the classy irrespective of their cadre, as Cross has through Penatia, its subsidiary made available low price range of Cross brands for the lower cadre who are classy.
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