M4E #4: How Faber-Castell makes pencils
Now it’s time to see some real action! Today we are going to see how one of the most important companies in the pencil market makes its most used product. Watch the next video to learn how Faber-Castell manufactures its signature product.
Time for Insights… and Homework!
The company was founded in 1761 by Kaspar Faber, a carpenter that started a small pencil workshop and improved pencils by combining graphite with sulfur, antimony and binding resins.
The vision of Faber-Castell is “We unleash creative potential”. Baron Lothar von Faber, the 4th generation owner of the company told his brother that “If a person wants to accomplish something, he must unleash his innate creative potential.“
Faber-Castell produces over 2.3 billion wood-cased pencils every year and grows about 20 cubic meters of wood every hour, which corresponds to around 1 truck load.
Think about the plant layout. Can you see more than one type in the video?
Can you identify places where automation and technology may help to improve the process or gain more insights?