Esselte

Overview

Esselte is a manufacturer and marketer of office products and business supplies operating in over 120 countries with subsidiaries in 25 nations. The company produces files, binders, folders, covers, staplers, letter trays, and computer accessories under multiple brand names including Esselte, Leitz, Oxford, Pendaflex, Rapid, and Xyron. It serves a diverse customer base ranging from wholesalers and direct marketers to office superstores and mass retailers, maintaining a significant position in the global office supplies market.

History

Founded in 1913 in Stockholm, Sweden as a group of Swedish printers called SLT, Esselte evolved into one of Sweden's most dynamic companies. The brand gained prominence following the creation of the iconic Swedish Jopa binder in 1926, establishing itself as one of Europe's most trusted brands for lever arch files and organizational products. In February 2017, Esselte was acquired by American office supplies manufacturer ACCO Brands, becoming part of a larger portfolio of office product companies.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Approximately 90 percent of products are manufactured at company-owned production facilities located in Syracuse, New York; Parsippany, New Jersey; Union, Missouri; Los Angeles, California; and other U.S. cities, as well as in Toronto, Canada. This in-house manufacturing approach provides quality control and supply chain management across North American and international markets.

Notable Products

• Jopa Binder - Iconic Swedish lever arch binder created in 1926, establishing the brand's reputation for filing solutions
• Pendaflex Hanging Folders - Leading hanging folder system well-known in North American office markets
• Oxford Filing Supplies - Established brand of filing products recognized as a market leader in office filing
• Leitz Lever Arch Files - Premium organizational files under the Leitz brand portfolio
• Rapid Staplers - Office fastening and binding equipment under the Rapid brand

Reputation

Esselte is recognized as one of the oldest and most established manufacturers of office filing supplies with strong brand heritage spanning over a century. The company maintains a trusted reputation particularly in Europe for lever arch files and organizational products, while Esselte Pendaflex holds significant market presence in North America. The brand is known for functional, contemporary product design and reliable quality in office supplies, though it operates in a competitive market dominated by larger consolidated office products companies.