Each of the three product categories is managed by a Category General Manager, who has the overall responsibility for the marketing, development, and manufacturing worldwide. In recent years manufacturing operations have been simplified so that huge outputs can be produced from super-factories that serve very large geographical markets.
Product distribution is then organised by continent, with country managers reporting to their continental manager. The organisation thus has a matrix structure based on two main lines of communication - (1) by product category, (2) by geographical region. This means that an employee working, say, in a pen manufacturing plant in France would be accountable both within the Western European division and the stationery category.
This matrix structure allows combining the benefits of a strong product expertise, together with strong operational structures per geographic area.
Customers/consumers
BIC's customers (retailers) are not the final consumers who buy from retailers. The Group has therefore built up strong relationships with its retailers to ensure that its products are placed in the most attractive and suitable shop locations, and that the products are attractive and eye catching. This suits both parties; retailers want products to sell well too.
Today, markets in most advanced economies are characterised by fewer, larger retailers and especially supermarkets that want sales of mature product categories like pens and shavers to continue growing. BIC supports retailers by innovating to stimulate growth and extend full product lifestyle providing bright, eye-catching displays of attractive products.