Mead
ActiveOverview
Mead is a planning and organization brand owned by ACCO Brands that specializes in notebooks, planners, and writing instruments. The brand is part of a portfolio that includes Day-Timer, Day Runner, and AT-A-GLANCE products, serving students, professionals, and consumers across more than 100 countries. Mead products are positioned as practical tools for planning, organizing, and learning, with particular strength in the student and educational markets through its Five Star and Trapper Keeper product lines.
History
Mead was founded in 1846 and has operated for over 150 years as a planning and organization solutions provider. The company became part of ACCO Brands, which consolidated multiple planning and organizational brands under one portfolio. Today, Mead operates as a subsidiary brand within ACCO Brands' broader family of office and educational products, maintaining its focus on notebooks and planning tools while leveraging the parent company's distribution networks across more than 100 countries.
Product Lines
| Product Line | Positioning | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Five Star | Student-focused quality learning tools | $5 - $50 |
| Trapper Keeper | Durable student organization and storage | $15 - $60 |
| Mead Notebooks | General-purpose writing and note-taking | $3 - $25 |
| Mead Planners | Personal and professional planning solutions | $10 - $40 |
Manufacturing
Manufacturing details are not specified in available sources. Mead products are distributed through sales forces and numerous distribution networks across more than 100 countries, suggesting a combination of in-house and outsourced production typical of large consumer goods companies.
Notable Products
- Five Star Notebooks - High-quality student notebooks designed for classroom success
- Trapper Keeper - Durable organizational binder system for students
- Mead Composition Books - Classic ruled notebooks for writing and note-taking
- Mead Planners - Planning tools for organizing personal and professional schedules
Reputation
Mead is recognized as a reliable, established brand in the planning and organization category with particular strength in educational markets. The brand benefits from over 150 years of heritage and is trusted by students, professionals, and consumers for practical, functional products. As part of the larger ACCO Brands portfolio, Mead maintains a position as a value-oriented option in the notebook and planning space, though it faces competition from both specialized brands and digital alternatives.