Cricket

Overview

Cricket is a lighter brand known for inventing the first disposable lighter in 1961 and maintaining leadership in the premium disposable lighter segment. It sells over 300 million units annually across more than 140 countries, emphasizing quality, safety, and innovative designs including eco-friendly options made from recycled nylon.²⁵⁶

History

Cricket was launched in 1961 in Annecy, France, as the world's first disposable lighter by The Gillette Co. In 1984, Gillette sold the brand to Swedish Match following competition with Bic.³⁵ Swedish Match has positioned Cricket as the third-largest disposable lighter brand globally, introducing innovations like child-resistant lighters in 1993 and eco-friendly models in 2020.⁶⁵ In recent years, Calico Brands Inc. acquired exclusive sales and distribution rights in the US market.³

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Products are manufactured by Swedish Match with facilities historically starting in Annecy, France, and quality-certified production processes involving over 100 tests per lighter. Emphasis is placed on in-house development for safety features and eco-materials like recycled nylon reducing CO2 emissions by 76%.⁵⁶

Notable Products

• Original Cricket Disposable - First disposable lighter introduced in 1961, setting industry standard for quality and safety.
• Cricket Eco - First lighter body made from fully recycled nylon launched in 2020 for sustainability.
• Cricket Fusion - Unique two-color mixed nylon casing lighter popular in design-focused markets.
• Cricket Firepower - Utility lighter for kitchen use expanding into North America and Europe.
• Child-Resistant Cricket - Pioneered child-resistant mechanism in 1993 ahead of industry standards.

Reputation

Cricket is regarded by users as a premium brand due to its pioneering safety innovations like child-resistant designs and rigorous quality testing. Professionals highlight its strong market position in disposables and eco-initiatives, though it faces competition in volume from lower-cost alternatives. Design enthusiasts appreciate series like Fusion for unique aesthetics.⁶