From Italy with Care

by Nancy Olson

The Delta pen company, based in Naples, Italy, was founded in1982 by Nino Marino, Ciro Matrone and Luigi Muscente. Over the years the company has introduced a variety of beautifully crafted writing instruments, including the Dolce Vita and the Indigenous People collections. With a commitment to craftsmanship and Italian style, the brand is now distributed throughout the world. In this interview, Nino Marino shares his thoughts about the company and what makes a Delta pen special.

Stylus: How does Delta distinguish itself from other Italian pen makers?
Nino Marino: Essentially it is the individual character expressed by colors, shapes and themes in our collections that are our distinctive elements. Other characteristics are style, quality and the “made in Italy.” Delta relentlessly adds creative ideas to its collections. In Italy there are many pen manufacturers, but only a few of these can be considered our competitors.

Delta celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary a few years ago. How do you envision the company in the next few years?
Delta is a manufacturing reality that has always offered real value. I am sure that for today and tomorrow, consumers will become more demanding and well informed and will reward those companies that offer true value and significance.

What is Delta’s greatest strength as a pen company?
Delta is strong because it is a team, a managerial group capable of developing and growing in this complex market of high-level writing instruments.

How has technology affected pens in their production, distribution and sales to end users?
Technology has had minor influence in Delta’s products due to the nature of our production, which is mostly handmade. Modern machinery and processes have had a very small impact at Delta, since most of our production requires old techniques and skills that would be compromised if modernized. Distribution and service, however, have been greatly affected in a positive way, since we can offer better and faster service. In more traditional markets, technology has had a minor effect in sales, since customers still want to see a pen up close and have the buying experience of handling, feeling and testing it.