DEEPAL KUMAR PURKOTI
Sales and Marketing Manager
Fair Trade Pvt Ltd

No matter how much writing is being tried to be replaced by modern tools like computers and tablet PCs, writing wouldn’t be complete without a pen. When a writer’s pen writes smooth like silk and bears a powerful brand name, it would prove a cherry on top. Young toddlers to professional executives and everybody in between would love a pen that writes at every occasion. Fair Trade Pvt Ltd (FTPL), the sole authorised distributor of Pilot pens for Nepal, brings pens for all from the well known stationery brand from Japan - Pilot.

The company has made easy availability of original pens from Pilot brand at affordable prices. Besides Kathmandu, rural Nepal also receives genuine products from Pilot through the dealerships spread over major cities in various parts of Nepal. Currently, the company has dealers in Biratnagar, Birgunj, Pokhara, Narayanghat and Hetauda, said Deepal Kumar Purkoti, Sales and Marketing Manager at FTPL. He said that the company is planning to open around three new showrooms in the near future. Through these showrooms, the company targets to reach every district and the remote villages too.

Though the company is distributing imported pens at the moment, it is also planning to produce pens within the country that bears the brand name of Pilot. “In around one-and-a-half-year’s time, FTPL is planning to produce certain products within the country,” Purkoti revealed. The company is planning to begin production in Nepal with a low segment pen and then expand into different categories. It is in the procedure to finalise the location for setting up the industry and investment volume. Similarly, the production capacity is not finalised yet, said Purkoti.

According to him, around 1.5 million Pilot pens are sold in Nepal annually. Super-GP, V5 series, board markers, permanent markers, gel pens, ball pens, mechanical pencils are some of the most popular categories of pens sold in Nepal. Similarly, V5 pens are popular among government officials and professionals as it is smooth and easy to write even in the Nepali paper used in government offices. Super GP, ball pens and gel pens are especially popular among students. At its showroom at Dharmapath in New Road, Pilot pens cost anywhere from Rs 15 to Rs 30,000. The fountain pen costing Rs 30,000 bears an 18-carat gold nib and cover holder.

The showroom was established around a year back with an investment of Rs 3 million. With the growing awareness among people about the brand, Purkoti revealed that the sale of Pilot pens lately is in an increasing trend. The company imports Pilot pens from Japan.

Dr Grip is one such pen that has antiseptic, anti-smell, anti-sweating and bacteria-free characteristics. The pen, true to its name, is even certified by doctors and costs from Rs 500 to Rs 900. Likewise FriXion series pens can write, erase and rewrite. This pen is strongly discouraged for using in examinations and signing important documents. B2P is a distinctive ball pen that is made out of recycled water bottles. The store has over 250 varieties of Pilot pens. The company is planning to bring in pens that cost around Rs 10, in the near future. FTPL is going to add more products to the available range. These upcoming products include fountain pens, V series, sketch pens, mechanical pencils, gel markers, board markers, FriXion colour sets and other products for children.

FTPL has held the dealership of Pilot pen in Nepal for 30 years. It is a trading company that is in existence for three decades and has been involved in importing garments, Pilot pens, Konica Minolta products and medical equipments among others. There are 40 employees working for the company.

The company is revamping its marketing strategy. Purkoti says that old dealings will be done in newer ways like having wholesalers and distributors in all five development regions. Similarly, FTPL is planning to introduce promotional offerings for both customers and retailers. It will also undertake awareness campaigns by setting up stalls at schools and colleges to spread information to students. The company is planning to give away certain pens at the purchase amounting higher than a certain limit. Likewise, it is also thinking of giving special offers and gift hampers to dealers as well.

FTPL believes in delivering quality. Similarly, it envisions each and every person writing with Pilot pens. The company does not feel competition in the market on account of either quality or brand value. However, Purkoti accepts the competition with regards to the price. Purkoti feels the absence of legal mechanism to demoralise the availability of counterfeit products. He recommends the customers to look for quality rather than the price and always choose genuine products.