Cleo Schreibgeräte

Cleo Schreibgeräte GmbH is a German writing instrument manufacturer based in Bad Wilsnack, Brandenburg. The company was founded in 1945 by Herbert Wurach and initially operated as a supplier of metal parts for writing instrument production. It later became a state-owned enterprise in East Germany and was integrated into the socialist planned economy, producing hundreds of thousands of writing instruments annually. After German reunification, the company privatized and eventually re-established itself as a manufacturer of high-quality writing instruments under its house brand Cleo Skribent. Cleo Schreibgeräte is known for its craftsmanship and use of premium materials such as ebonite, amboyna burl, platinum, gold, and silver. The company specializes in hand-lacquered fountain pen nibs, a technique it is said to be the only one in the world to practice. It also uses ebonite in series production, a material that was standard in high-quality writing instruments in the early 20th century but was largely abandoned by other manufacturers due to its demanding processing. The product range includes fountain pens, rollerballs, ballpoint pens, and pencils, with collections such as Natura, Ebonite, Aura, Skribent, Gold Colour, Classic Gold, Classic Palladium, Classic Metall, Messograf, and Gessner. The company also offers limited editions, such as the Cleo Patra made from light ebony, limited to 80 pieces. Cleo Schreibgeräte sells its products in Germany and internationally, positioning itself in the premium segment of handcrafted writing instruments.

Cleo Schreibgeräte was founded in 1945 by Herbert Wurach in Bad Wilsnack, initially as a supplier of metal parts for writing instrument manufacturing. The post-war period was marked by scarcity in both investment and materials. According to company lore, employees ironically compared themselves to "the ancient Egyptians," which inspired the name of the first in-house writing instrument collection, "Cleopatra," later shortened to CLEO. The company expanded rapidly and was nationalized in 1956, becoming firmly integrated into the socialist planned economy as a production site. Production increased dramatically, and by the early 1960s, more than 600,000 writing instruments were being produced annually in Bad Wilsnack. The international breakthrough came in 1964 with the SKRIBENT series of ink drawing instruments, which were distributed throughout the former Eastern Bloc and became an important tool for technical draughtsmen. In the 1970s, nearly 1,000,000 Skribent instruments left the factory each year, employing 55 workers. With German reunification, the distribution structure collapsed, material suppliers ceased operations overnight, and consumer behavior changed abruptly. The company faced challenges including opening new markets, privatization, and developing new products. Immediately after reunification, Cleo operated mainly as a supplier of components for established writing instrument manufacturers in West Germany. In the mid-1990s, the company achieved an international breakthrough in the finishing of fountain pen nibs. Since the late 1990s, writing instruments have again been offered under the house brand Cleo Skribent, characterized by elaborate handcrafting, form transitions, and hand-lacquered fountain pen nibs. The company continues to produce in Bad Wilsnack and sells its products internationally.

• 1998

  Writing instruments offered again under the house brand Cleo Skribent.

• 1995

  International breakthrough in the finishing of fountain pen nibs.

• 1990

  After German reunification, company operates mainly as a component supplier for West German writing instrument manufacturers.

• 1970

  Annual production reaches nearly 1,000,000 Skribent instruments with 55 employees.

• 1964

  International breakthrough with the SKRIBENT series of ink drawing instruments, distributed throughout the Eastern Bloc.

• 1956

  Company nationalized and integrated into the socialist planned economy of East Germany.

• 1945

  Company founded by Herbert Wurach in Bad Wilsnack as a supplier of metal parts for writing instruments.

Premium handcrafted writing instruments made in Germany, emphasizing traditional craftsmanship, exclusive materials, and unique finishing techniques.

• Natura

  Writing instrument collection.

• Ebonite

  Collection using ebonite material.

• Aura

  Writing instrument collection.

• Skribent

  Historic series of ink drawing instruments, later a writing instrument line.

• Gold Colour

  Writing instrument collection.

• Classic Gold

  Classic writing instrument collection with gold accents.

• Classic Palladium

  Classic writing instrument collection with palladium accents.

• Classic Metall

  Classic metal writing instrument collection.

• Messograf

  Writing instrument collection.

• Gessner

  Writing instrument collection.

• Cleo Patra

  Limited edition of 80 pieces made from light ebony, a tribute to the Egyptian desert.

1. 1Feine Schreibgeräte aus edlen Materialien | Cleo Skribent - Schreibgeräte Made in Germanycleo-skribent.de
2. 2Cleo Schreibgerätewikidata.org
3. 3Cleo Schreibgerätede.wikipedia.org