Hamelin

Who owns Hamelin?

Hamelin is currently owned by Crédit Mutuel Equity through Crédit Mutuel Equity (1992 vintage), since 2026.

Hand-verified · updated 2026-06-10

About Hamelin

Hamelin is a French consumer group and one of Europe's leading manufacturers of school and office supplies, producing notebooks, exercise books, pads, diaries, filing products, writing instruments, arts-and-crafts materials and desk accessories. The group markets a portfolio of internationally recognized brands including Oxford, Elba, Conquerant, Black n' Red, Bantex, Unilux and, following its expansion into writing instruments, Pelikan and Herlitz. According to the group, it generates turnover of around EUR 600 million and employs more than 3,000 people, with manufacturing operations across several continents and products sold in more than 140 countries. It positions itself as a European leader in stationery, combining large-scale industrial production with a branded consumer portfolio spanning education, office and creative segments.

Ownership journey

Hamelin was founded in Caen, in Normandy, in 1864 by Ernest Hamelin, and remained a family-owned business for more than 160 years as it grew into a global stationery group. In April 2026 Credit Mutuel Equity invested in the company through a capital increase entirely dedicated to its development, taking a stake alongside the Hamelin family, which retained a large majority of the capital, and the management team. Credit Mutuel Equity, recognized for its long-term backing of family-owned businesses, remains the current institutional shareholder, and no exit or secondary transaction has been recorded. The structure was designed to preserve the group's family-owned character while adding capital to accelerate its growth.

Under PE ownership

The 2026 capital increase was earmarked to fund an ambitious build-up strategy through targeted acquisitions in complementary geographies and to strengthen the group's industrial capabilities. This built on Hamelin's earlier diversification beyond paper products into writing instruments, notably its acquisition of Pelikan in 2023, which broadened the portfolio toward pens, markers and creative supplies alongside its core Oxford and Elba stationery brands. With Credit Mutuel Equity's backing, the group aims to pursue further external growth while retaining family control and its Norman industrial roots. Because the partnership was formed only in 2026, its operational effects are still emerging, and the stated priorities are acquisitions and expanded manufacturing capacity rather than a change of ownership model.