Quick Facts: Sharpie
| Owner | Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) |
| Ownership Type | Public subsidiary |
| Newell Brands CEO | Chris Peterson |
| Founded | 1964 (by Sanford, introduced first “Sharpie” marker) |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia, USA (Newell Brands) |
| Category | Permanent markers, fine-point pens, writing instruments |
| Sister Brands | Paper Mate, Elmer’s, Rubbermaid, Coleman, Mr. Coffee & more |
| Publicly Traded | Yes (via parent Newell Brands, NASDAQ: NWL) |
Who Owns Sharpie?
Sharpie is owned by Newell Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: NWL), a publicly traded consumer goods company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Sharpie operates as a brand within Newell’s Writing & Creative Expression division. The Sharpie marker was first introduced in 1964 by Sanford, a company that was later acquired and eventually became part of Newell Brands through a series of corporate mergers. Newell Brands also owns a broad portfolio of household and consumer brands, including Paper Mate, Elmer’s, Rubbermaid, Coleman, Mr. Coffee, Calphalon, and Yankee Candle, among others. Chris Peterson serves as CEO of Newell Brands.
About Newell Brands
Newell Brands is a global consumer goods company that owns dozens of well-known household brands. It was formed through the merger of Newell Company and Rubbermaid in 1999, and later absorbed Jarden Corporation in a landmark $15.4 billion deal in 2016 — one of the largest consumer goods acquisitions in history. That Jarden merger significantly expanded the company’s brand portfolio into outdoor, home, and tools categories. Sharpie came into the Newell family through its earlier ownership of Sanford, which developed the Sharpie marker as one of its flagship writing instrument brands. Today, Sharpie is one of the most recognized writing instrument brands in the world, used for everything from permanent labeling to autograph signing.
Key Ownership Highlights
- Sharpie is owned by Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL), a publicly traded consumer goods conglomerate headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
- The first Sharpie marker was introduced in 1964 by Sanford, which became part of Newell Brands through corporate acquisitions over the decades.
- Newell Brands’ portfolio includes Sharpie, Paper Mate, Elmer’s, Rubbermaid, Coleman, Mr. Coffee, Calphalon, Yankee Candle, and many other household brands.
- Chris Peterson is the CEO of Newell Brands. The company is publicly traded on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol NWL.
- Sharpie is not independently traded — investors seeking exposure to the brand can purchase shares of its parent, Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Sharpie?
Sharpie is owned by Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL), a publicly traded consumer goods company. Newell Brands acquired the Sharpie brand through its earlier ownership of Sanford, which introduced the first Sharpie marker in 1964.
Is Sharpie publicly traded?
Sharpie itself is not separately traded. Its parent company, Newell Brands, is publicly listed on Nasdaq under the ticker NWL.
What other brands does Newell Brands own?
Newell Brands owns Paper Mate, Elmer’s, Rubbermaid, Coleman, Mr. Coffee, Calphalon, Yankee Candle, and many other consumer brands in addition to Sharpie.
Who made the first Sharpie?
The first Sharpie permanent marker was introduced by Sanford in 1964. Sanford was subsequently acquired and eventually became part of Newell Brands, which now owns the Sharpie trademark and product line.