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January 19, 2022

BIC acquiring Canadian tattoo company Inkbox

PHOTO | Courtesy Inkbox
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

Shelton-based manufacturer BIC announced this week it will be acquiring tattoo company Inkbox for $65 million.

BIC, long known for its lighters, shavers and pens, has been expanding its portfolio in recent years. According to the company, the addition of the Toronto-based Inkbox will broaden BIC’s “human expression” portfolio, which already included the temporary tattoo markers BodyMark by BIC.

BIC CEO Gonzalve Bich said the Inkbox acquisition expands BIC’s offerings in the do-it-yourself skin creative category, a market which BIC anticipates will reach $1.5 billion in value in the next decade. 

Inkbox, founded in 2015 by brothers Tyler and Braden Handley, sells semi-permanent tattoos which last up to two weeks and freehand tattoo markers. Its customers can create custom designs or choose from more than 10,000 artist-designed tattoos. According to the company, their products allow customers to enjoy a tattoo for the short-term, or even try out a design before making a decision to pursue a permanent tattoo.

Inkbox currently employs roughly 150 people across Canada, Japan and the United States. It reported approximately $27 million in net sales in 2021. 

The acquisition will bring “more innovative and high-quality tools to individuals who are not afraid to showcase who they truly are," Bich said, in an announcement.

BIC also anticipates that Inkbox's digital expertise will further strengthen BIC's direct-to-consumer, e-commerce capabilities. 

Tyler Handley, co-founder and CEO of Inkbox, said both companies have a shared commitment to creative expression.

"BIC is the ideal partner to help Inkbox achieve its full scale-up potential, notably through accelerated international expansion and operational efficiencies."

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.

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