Zippo: 600 million units sold

In June 2020, after 88 years in business, Zippo made history by producing its 600 millionth lighter. Few companies ever reach such a milestone, and it says a great deal about the size of the group.

From family firm to multinational

Zippo was founded in 1932. Its founder, George G. Blaisdell, chose a family structure at a fairly difficult economic moment. Ambitious though he was, despite the depression the United States was going through at the time, he could never have imagined that his lighters would be known and sold all over the world.

The early years were turbulent, yet, backed by his employees, George never wavered. Year after year, the children and grandchildren of those first employees joined the company and most of them are still on the payroll today. Zippo is a genuine success story, both in human terms and in the success of its products and of its handsome lighter collection Zippo.

The 600 millionth lighter on show at the Zippo museum

Eight years ago, the 500 millionth lighter came off the production lines. On 3 June 2020 a further milestone was reached in the history of Zippo lighters, with the sale of the 600 millionth unit. A limited-edition design was produced to mark the occasion for keen followers of the American brand. The lighter that made up the 600 millionth unit sold will be displayed at the Zippo museum in Bradford.

The collector’s lighter celebrating the anniversary will be shown alongside it. It is a high-polish chrome lighter, laser-engraved through 360 degrees and carrying a coloured flame engraving representing the 600 million logo. Below it is a commemorative stamp used only on 3 June 2020. This limited edition comes in high-quality packaging, almost as valuable as the lighter itself. Only 20,000 units were put on sale from 31 July 2020, enough to attract the attention of collectors and followers of the brand.