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Pen Inventors Ink Deals With Wal-Mart, Office Depot
(San Mateo, California, June 7, 2006) Pacific Writing Instruments is proud to announce an
exciting venture into a new frontier. Its innovative and popular PenAgain product line is
currently debuting at 500 Wal-Mart stores across the United States, and it's also entering
Office Depot this month.
Call it the "Little Pen That Could," for Pacific Writing Instrument's ergonomically efficient
PenAgain has come a long way since inventor Colin Roche conjured up the radical design in 1987,
during high school detention, of all places.
"The addition of Wal-Mart and Office Depot is a tremendous leap for our PenAgain product line,"
said Roche, 34, a Palo Alto native and San Mateo resident. "We are finally being given the
chance to prove the value of offering a truly ergonomic pen to the consumers on a massive
scale. It makes it much more accessible for our growing customer base."
Preliminary figures show encouraging results during PenAgain's 30-day trial run on the Wal-Mart
shelves. To stay in those stores and earn consideration for wider distribution, roughly 85
percent of the 48,000 pens ordered must be sold.
"It's a step from being a grassroots product into a more mainstream market," said Roche's
partner, Bobby Ronsse, 34, a Yuba City native and Escondido resident. "This proves the
viability of our pen and its mass appeal."
Five years since Pacific Writing Instruments was launched, over three million PenAgains have
been sold, and just now is the snazzy pen getting its foot into the corporate-world door.
"This roll out in Wal-Mart and Office Depot is the beginning salvo in the 'Great Pen Wars'
between PenAgain and the rest of the major brands that have enjoyed a near monopoly on the
shelves of the mass market," Roche said. "What snowboards did to skiing is what the PenAgain
is doing to the writing instrument industry. We are simply a different, more comfortable way
to put ink onto paper."
PenAgain's unique, wishbone look is matched by its surprising comfort that no other pen can
offer. Testimonials have poured in from throughout society, including medical professionals,
teachers, students, journalists, engineers and those who suffer from hand ailments such as
arthritis and carpel tunnel syndrome.
CONTACT: For more information on Pacific Writing Instruments or to schedule an interview with
Colin Roche or Bobby Ronsse, please call 650-286-9093. Pacific Writing Instrument's Web site
is www.penagain.com.
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PenAgain Secures Patent, Debuts High-End Models
(Pacifica, Calif., Nov. 11, 2003) Pacific Writing Instruments has been
granted a U.S. patent on the design of its PenAgain™ line of writing instruments
and has worldwide patents pending. The company has also added two high-end models
to the product line.
The new models include an "Ergo-Sof" version and an upgrade of the original
PenAgain design. The Ergo-Sof is made with a proprietary soft rubber coating that
has the look and feel of velvet. New packaging allows the user to try out the
pens to feel the new design. The PenAgain, which launched its first model last
year, relies on the natural downward pressure of the finger to produce a controlled
line, while offering increased hand support and reduced gripping.
The new pens will retail for $14.00. The original PenAgain retails for $10.00.
Colin Roche, PenAgain inventor and president of Pacific Writing Instruments,
said the new models were created based on customer feedback and input from several
top international product designers. He added that the company has recently enhanced
its manufacturing operations significantly to meet demand.
Roche and partner Bobby Ronsse said that while their core customer base so far has
been writing professionals, students, and seniors who need greater comfort in their
daily life, they are continuing to investigate supplemental writing market segments
where the PenAgain's ergonomic design might be valuable. "The reduction of stresses,
calluses, and discomfort for daily pen users is enticing, and we're meeting people
in the industry everyday who can see the merit of the design in yet a new application,"
said Roche. "And they are also just great-looking pens. Many customers have told us
that they use them just to get attention in business meetings."
A recent report by the School Home Office Products Association states that "industry
experts feel that ergonomic considerations will continue to play a strong role in
new product design and innovations will play a key role for companies who wish to
separate themselves apart from the pack. It is worthwhile to note that small
manufactures of writing instruments are carving out a niche for themselves by
focusing most of their efforts on highly ergonomic products (e.g Pacific Writing
Instruments - makers of the "Penagain)." The
full report is available.
Since its debut, the PenAgain has been featured in Newsweek and Wired Magazine,
as well as several newspapers across the United States.
About the Company:
Pacific Writing Instruments produces fine writing instruments that are ergonomically
designed to deliver a superior script with reduced hand fatigue and greater comfort.
The PenAgain™ line of fine pens relies on the natural downward pressure of the
finger to produce a controlled line, while offering increased hand support and reduced
gripping. The PenAgain is available for sale through better retailers such as the San
Jose museum of Art, Edwards luggage and Gifts and University Arts at
www.penagain.com.
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Innovative PenAgain Line of Fine Writing Pens is Launched
(Pacifica, California, May 1, 2002): PACIFIC WRITING INSTRUMENTS today announced the introduction of it's very innovative new line of PenAgain™ fine writing instruments that is ergonomically designed for greater user comfort.
Partners Colin Roche and Bobby Ronsse decided to take a fresh look at the dynamics of hand control in writing, which yielded a surprisingly different pen. "The PenAgain™ can greatly reduce calluses and even hand cramps among heavy writers. The shape of the pen is intended to adapt to the contour of the human hand thus alleviating stresses normally observed with a standard pen. The natural weight of the writer's hand provides sufficient pressure to apply ink to the paper. This eliminates the need to grip the pen allowing the thumb and forefinger to serve merely as guides."
Preliminary users from a variety of backgrounds have demonstrated enthusiasm for the PenAgain™. High marks come from connoisseurs of fine pens who appreciate the grace and workmanship, seniors with age and illness related gripping problems, people with penmanship problems, and college students and professionals who use pens frequently. Inventor Colin Roche says "With the PenAgain™, I appreciate the fact that my wife can now read my handwriting."
The company has already envisioned additional applications of the design because of its potent consideration of human factors. Because of it greater ease and comfort in use, the company has had interest from the medical, professional, and educational markets that would extend the scope of the PenAgain™ line.
The company has patent claims pending on it unique design.
The PenAgain is available through better retailers and online at the company's website. The company is ramping production to meet the strong market reception the pen is receiving.
About the Company: PACIFIC WRITING INSTRUMENTS produces fine writing instruments that are ergonomically designed to deliver a superior script with reduced hand fatigue and greater comfort. The PenAgain™ line of fine pens relies on the natural downward pressure of the finger to produce a controlled line, while offering increased hand support and reduced gripping. This privately held entrepreneurial company based in Pacifica, California has patents pending. The PenAgain™ is available for sale through better retailers and at the company's website. www.penagain.com
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Copyright © 2003-2006, Pacific Writing Instruments Inc.