About Tombow
Tombow is today’s market leader for art, crafts, school and office products. Serving consumers and businesses around the globe, Tombow was established in Japan in 1913 as a wood-case pencil provider for Japanese students. Since these beginnings, we have upheld a history of unparalleled customer service.
Tombow has grown the company’s portfolio to a worldwide provider of art markers, liquid glue and adhesive tape, fine writing pens, correction tape, drawing pencils, colored pencils and erasers manufactured in facilities located in Japan and Southeast Asian countries. Worldwide operating divisions distribute Tombow branded products in their respective geographies.
Our Mission
Through our products, Tombow is redefining common practices and traditions to offer customer excitement and satisfaction.
Our Committment to Diversity
At Tombow, we believe in the power of creativity. We offer the world’s best products so you can create your best work. Our belief is that our stationery products are tools to express knowledge, creative thinking, new ideas and perspectives. We celebrate diversity and inclusion in everything we do – from the people we employ to the artwork we share on social media. For us, it’s not just about the products but what they inspire you to do. Our brand was founded on the commitment to create tools that redefine common practices and traditions. That’s why we believe diversity drives innovation. We are committed to creating and maintaining an atmosphere in which our community truly feels they can create their best work.
Environmental Policy
Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. aims to achieve complete harmony with the global environment in all of our business operations; to contribute to the betterment of the global society through the development, production, and sales of stationery products; while at the same time maintaining a company that is kind to both nature and humanity.
- Safe products that take into consideration the environment are developed and produced; environmental awareness is communicated through sales.
- All wastefulness in both products and business is eliminated, and resources and energy are used wisely.
- Strive to improve the environment and prevent pollution by cooperation both inside and outside the company.
Our History
Founded in Japan in 1913 as a manufacturer of wood-cased lead and colored pencils, Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. has achieved an outstanding reputation for its unique, innovative and original products. American Tombow, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. that has distributed Tombow branded art and office products in North America since 1983. Tombow was first established in the United States in California, and later moved its North American headquarters to Georgia in 1993. Our offices and warehouse facilities were relocated in 2003 to a larger facility in Suwanee, GA with state-of-the-art technology.
In the early 1990s, Tombow established its first overseas factory in Thailand to produce products under strict quality control by our production engineers. Until that point in time, all production and manufacturing had been conducted in Japan. Since 2003, Tombow has established three factories in Vietnam. Our overseas production facilities have enabled Tombow to successfully accomplish controlling costs while maintaining our high standards of Japanese quality.
Additional Tombow subsidiaries are located in Germany and China. Tombow Pen & Pencil GmBH was established in Germany in 1980 and sells Tombow products throughout Europe. In 2011 Tombow Pencil (Dalian) Co., Ltd. was established as the first sales base in Asia, selling Tombow products to the Chinese market. A representative office was established in Jakarta, Indonesia in August 2019 for market research and sales promotion support in Southeast Asia.
During the past four decades, Tombow has diversified its manufacturing program from strictly pencils to now include markers, liquid glues, adhesive tape, dry highlighters, correction tape, ballpoint pens, and rollerball pens. Our exciting designs are offered at affordable prices that truly benefit the consumer. In fact, Tombow has been recognized as one of Japan’s top five office products manufacturers.