Get your business started on a journey of sustainable office products
Cost savings compared to buying individual writing instruments
Barrels made of recycled materials
Recyclable packaging made from FSC™ certified paper
Over a 100 years ago, Japanese naval engineers Ryosuke Namiki and Masao Wada met aboard a merchant ship. Fountain pens were essential but prone to rusting in the salty sea air. Determined to solve this, they created a fountain pen with a stainless steel nib - built to withstand harsh conditions.
In 1918, they launched the first PILOT pens in Japan. Named after a fleet’s flagship, the brand reflected their passion for the sea and ambition to lead. Soon after, they expanded internationally, opening offices in New York, London, Shanghai, and Singapore. Today, PILOT is a global pioneer and market leader, trusted for its innovative whiteboard markers and erasable pens - carrying forward a century-old legacy.
When Masao Wada and Ryosuke Namiki founded the company in 1918, they set down five guiding principles. These values still guide everything we do today - and they’re the reason PILOT has grown into the brand it is now.
The three balanced forces
三 者 鼎 立
The three-legged Chinese bronze cooking pot is used to represent balance and harmony in business. If a leg is longer or shorter, the pot will become unstable and unfit for purpose.
For PILOT, each leg represents one of the three parties in the relationship:
The Manufacturer
The Retailer
The User
Shared joys and sorrows.
憂 喜 和 精 神
Inspired by the lifebuoy in our logo - a symbol of support and resilience - this principle reflects the strong unity within PILOT. Our employees share both challenges and successes, working together toward a common goal. Beyond the company, it represents the close partnership between PILOT and our partners, collaborating as one to grow and support each other’s business.
Overcoming difficulties.
難 関 突 破
In 1905, Ryosuke Namiki survived a rare and fierce storm at sea, thanks to the captain’s constant vigilance and the crew’s unwavering dedication. This spirit - staying prepared, facing challenges head-on and working together - became another cornerstone of PILOT’s philosophy.
Progress. Step by step. Day by day.
一 日 一 進
In nautical terms, a pilot guides a ship forward. Inspired by this, Masao Wada named the company’s first pen PILOT. It’s a reminder that steady, daily progress - no matter how slow - leads to true leadership. Consistent effort, not complacency, drives growth.
A genuinely committed approach.
至 誠 真 剣
At PILOT, we know that if you work honestly and put in the effort, almost anything is possible. Even the best ideas won’t work without real commitment. That’s why in everything we do - from designing and manufacturing to marketing - we always think about what’s best for the people who use our products every day.
