Bruynzeel, a centuries-old household name in the field
of wood and carpentry.
On 1 January, in Rotterdam, Cornelis Bruynzeel started producing frames and window casings, after which he began manufacturing doors.
After the turn of the century, Bruynzeel began producing
parquet floors.

30 December 1947: the Bruynzeel pencil factory was established. A difficult period so soon after World War ll. There was a great shortage of writing materials. Prior to the war, approximately 30 to 40 million wooden pencils were imported into the Netherlands annually from Germany, Czechoslovakia and Switzerland. The Dutch government believed that in order to boost the economy,
it would be beneficial if a Dutch company were to manufacture pencils. The Bruynzeel holding company possessed knowledge and expertise: Bruynzeel Potloden became
a fact.

The industrial designer, Piet Zwart played an important role in the development of Bruynzeel pencils. He lived from 1885 to 1977 and right from the start of Bruynzeel Potlodenfabriek, he was involved in the design and construction of the packaging of pencils. After the liquidation of the Holding Company, the pencil factory continued as an independent organisation in 1982. On 22 September 1988, the first pile was driven into the ground on a new industrial site in the Meilust district, the access road was named Potlodenlaan. All the business activities were moved to these new premises in November 1989.

The Bruynzeel pencil factory joined the Japanese Sakura Group in 1997. Sakura Color Products is particularly strong in writing utensils and colouring materials and Bruynzeel pencils and felt-tip pens are the perfect supplement to this range of products. Since 1991, Koninklijke Talens in Apeldoorn (artist’s products and oil paints) has also become part of the Sakura Group.

With effect from 1 October 2000, Sakura Europe and Bruynzeel Pencil Factory joined forces to become bruynzeel-sakura, an inspiring organisation with inspiring products, “the best of both worlds”, top quality products from both the Bruynzeel and the Sakura range. A unique blend of knowledge, expertise and ideas.

Since its establishment in 1947, our company has burgeoned into an international business whose extensive range of products we could no longer imagine life without. The post-war generations learned to write and colour using our products and our company has left its mark on society.

Now, after 60 years, bruynzeel-sakura is still active worldwide as far as writing, colouring and hobby products are concerned. With the launch of our 60-year jubilee, we are marking a new era and we are allowing our customers to share in our festivities in this our jubilee year.