The Bich family name is associated with BIC, the French manufacturer founded by Marcel Bich in 1945.
Marcel Bich and Édouard Buffard acquired a factory near Paris after the Second World War and began making parts for mechanical pencils and fountain pens. In 1950, the company launched the BIC Cristal ballpoint pen, which became one of the world's best-known writing instruments.
The company expanded from pens into disposable lighters in 1973 and razors in 1975. Its short, memorable brand name came from shortening Bich, because the original surname could be mispronounced in English. BIC's orange-and-clear Cristal design became especially recognizable.
BIC is not an acronym for “best in class,” a common mistaken explanation. The name is directly connected to Marcel Bich's surname. The Bich family has remained a significant shareholder even as BIC became a publicly traded international company.