Hero And Parker: What Was The Correlation?

August 22, 2016

I believe I've read here that there was a deeper connection between these two brands, especially regarding the development of a certain model, in which Parker was interested to manufacture abroad (in this case: China), but at the end of the day Parker bailed out, and gave Hero green light to produce the model they had originally planned to make there.

Anyone remembers what model is it? It is still in production, not sure if hooded nib, and it's not the 616 nor the 100.

Edited August 22, 2016 by sciumbasci

August 23, 2016

I believe that several Hero models are copies of very successful Parkers. They make no attempt to represent the pens as Parkers, however. PRC does not consider itself bound by international copyright agreements. In most instances, copyrights had expired.

Other items imitated, to my knowledge, include the LAMY Safari and Levi's blue jeans.

August 23, 2016

The model that Parker gave to Hero was the Parker 45. The Hero 800 was the model that descended from this failed contract.

The information is from a article in a magazine (中国制笔) by a former Hero Process Engineer/Honorary Chairman (transcribed to an post on the fountain pen boards on Baidu http://tieba.baidu.com/p/1771797945）

Basic timeline

Summer of 1979 - representative from Parker visited Hero's factory in Shanghai and signed initial agreements for Hero to make Parker 45s for Parker. Parker gave the entire set of design, manufacturing and quality control papers to Hero.

September 1979 - Hero sent 2 sample pens to Parker

October 1980 - Hero receives QC report from Parker, citing unsatisfactory parts (Clip, and plating, stamping) and request for more samples for full set of tests to be done

November 1979 - Parker made an initial order for 90,000 Plastic barrel Parker 45 fountain pens (18,000 to have converters included), 37,000 Parker 45 flighters, 10,000 10K gold nibs, and 250,000 converters.

February 1980 - Hero completed 200 sets more and picked 40 complete pens and 60 parks to Parker USA for QC

April 1980 - Hero's delegation visit the Parker Factory in Janesville. Parker's VP said Hero's quality was better than they had expected, but still needs improvement in a few areas

May 1980 - Parker sent a full QC report to Hero, and addendum in July 1980

October 1980 - Hero sends a set of 24 samples to Parker but does not hear back until

End of 1980 - Parker sents words to Hero that they wish to cancel the contract. Parker also stated that for Hero making the samples without charging fees to Parker, the entire set of Parker 45 samples, manufacturing methods and documents is given to Hero free of charge.

Hero never did receive the real reason that Parker canceled the order, however they made speculations

1. Parker's intent was to gain access to the Chinese market. However at the time China was just opening itself up and was still very conservative, and Hero factory did not have the power to dictate government policies; so Parker lost interest in using the collaboration with Hero as a way to gain access to the Chinese Market.

2. The original intent was for Hero's made Parker pens to be shipped to the Southeast Asian, Japan, Taiwan, South Korean, Hong Kong, and China. Primarily due to lowered manufacturing and shipping cost compared to the US and English factories. However Parker probably saw the decrease in fountain pen market coming in the 1980s, coupled with trouble of gaining access to the Chinese market, and worries that Chinese made Parkers will negatively impact US made Parker sales.

3. The biggest supporter of this venture was Parker VP Philip Huur, and his retirement probably had major impact in Parker's strategy.

Edited August 23, 2016 by zchen

August 23, 2016

The model that Parker gave to Hero was the Parker 45.

The information is from a article in a magazine (中国制笔) by a former Hero Process Engineer/Honorary Chairman (transcribed to an post on the fountain pen boards on Baidu http://tieba.baidu.com/p/1771797945）

Basic timeline
Summer of 1979 - representative from Parker visited Hero's factory in Shanghai and signed initial agreements for Hero to make Parker 45s for Parker. Parker gave the entire set of design, manufacturing and quality control papers to Hero.
September 1979 - Hero sent 2 same pens to Parker
October 1980 - Hero receives QC report from Parker, citing unsatisfactory parts (Clip, and plating, stamping) and request for more samples for full set of tests to be done
November 1979 - Parker made an initial order for 90,000 Plastic barrel Parker 45 fountain pens (18,000 to have converters included), 37,000 Parker 45 flighters, 10,000 10K gold nibs, and 250,000 converters.
February 1980 - Hero completed 200 sets more and picked 40 complete pens and 60 parks to Parker USA for QC
April 1980 - Hero's delegation visit the Parker Factory in Janesville. Parker's VP said Hero's quality was better than they had expected, but still needs improvement in a few areas
May 1980 - Parker sent a full QC report to Hero, and addendum in July 1980
October 1980 - Hero sends a set of 24 samples to Parker but does not hear back until
End of 1980 - Parker sents words to Hero that they wish to cancel the contract, and for Hero making the samples without charging fees to Parker, the entire set of Parker 45 samples, molds, manufacturing methods and documents is given to Hero free of charge.

Hero never did receive the real reason that Parker canceled the order, however they made speculations
1. Parker's intent was to gain access to the Chinese market. However at the time China was just opening itself up and was still very conservative, and Hero factory did not have the power to dictate government policies; so Parker lost interest in using the collaboration with Hero as a way to gain access to the Chinese Market.
2. The original intent was for Hero's made Parker pens to be shipped to the Southeast Asian, Japan, Taiwan, South Korean, Hong Kong, and China. Primarily due to lowered manufacturing and shipping cost compared to the US and English factories. However Parker probably saw the decrease in fountain pen market coming in the 1980s, coupled with trouble of gaining access to the Chinese market, and worries that Chinese made Parkers will negatively impact US made Parker sales.
3. The biggest supporter of this venture was Parker VP Philip Huur, and his retirement probably had major impact in Parker's strategy.