Strong financial results across major markets.

 

ACCO Brands acquisition

 

ACCO Brands has underlined its shift towards technology peripherals by acquiring a leading European brand.

 

The US company has announced a definitive agreement to acquire computer and gaming brand Trust from Dutch private equity firm Egeria in a deal worth around US$57 million.

 

Founded in 1983 and headquartered in the Netherlands, Trust is a well-recognised consumer electronics brand with more than 40 years of experience in the PC, gaming, smart home and mobile accessories segments. Its product portfolio spans keyboards, mice, headsets, speakers, webcams, chargers and gaming peripherals. 

 

Trust complements ACCO’s other tech brands Kensington, PowerA and EPOS, 

 

The addition of Trust takes ACCO’s tech peripherals categories to a pro forma annual sales level of US $500 million.

 

Avery direct-to-consumer sales up

 

Avery had a good second quarter, boosted by strong sales in its direct-to-consumer activities and a smoother start to the back-to-school season.

 

The labels and identification specialist achieved Q2 2026 revenue of C$287.2 million (US$205.8 million), a currency-adjusted improvement of 6.4 per cent  versus the same quarter last year. Acquisitions accounted for 2.4 per cent of the increase, with organic growth of four per cent.

 

Direct-to-consumer sales globally benefited from promotions during the recent FIFA World Cup, while the back-to-school market in the US was a much calmer experience compared with the “tariff-related chaos” the company faced in 2025.

 

Looking ahead, parent company CCL Industries expects continued direct-to-consumer growth and a stronger back-to-school season to drive gains at Avery in Q3.

 

Pilot Pen gains momentum in the US

 

Japanese writing instruments manufacturer Pilot continued to make good organic progress in the US in the first half of 2026, with its flagship G-2 gel pen remaining the key growth driver.

 

Pilot is looking to build further on its US momentum. Initiatives to increase G-2 market share include themed Boost packs, limited-edition designs and the new G-2 EDGE Metallic product. 

 

At the same time, the manufacturer is using G-2’s established position to support FRIXION, merchandising the two brands alongside each other during BTS and including FRIXION samples in selected G-2 packs.

 

Japan also performed well, with sales increasing 6.6 per cent at constant currency. Domestic growth was supported by the FRIXION and Juice ranges and the KIRE-NA highlighter, while fountain pens – including the Custom series – continued to sell well.

 

Europe was the only region to decline organically, with revenue down 5.6 per cent. 

 

Mitsubishi Pencil announces strategic initiatives

 

Strong growth in the US helped Mitsubishi Pencil deliver record first-half sales in 2026.

 

Revenue in the US increased by 22.8 per cent year on year to US$42 million, making it the strongest-performing major market for the Uni brand owner. Asia grew by 16.8 per cent and Europe by 14.7 per cent, while sales in Japan were up 4.3 per cent.

 

Mitsubishi Pencil pointed to positive underlying trends in North America, including increased sales of Jetstream at major retailers and an expanded uniball Zento presence that helped lift sales of the overall uniball brand.

 

The company also said its new Lamy safari roll-ink product was performing well following its launch in Europe.

 

The results come as Mitsubishi Pencil begins implementing the strategic initiatives outlined in May when it unveiled a business alliance and financing agreement with private equity and consulting firm Advantage Partners.

 

The company said work had now commenced on several areas identified under the partnership, including accelerating international growth, strengthening Lamy, optimising its global supply chain and transitioning to a global management structure. International initiatives include organisational restructuring and sales promotion activities in North America, Europe and Asia.

 

For more on these and other global news stories from OPI, go to https://www.opi.net/category/news/