
Pitney Bowes was founded in 1920 by Arthur Pitney and Walter Bowes.
The company started as a small manufacturer of postage meters.
As the company grew, it expanded its product line to include other mailing equipment and services.
Its innovative products helped to revolutionize the way people sent mail.
In the 1950s, Pitney Bowes introduced the first postage meter that used a roll of tape, making it easier to use and more efficient.
This was a significant improvement over earlier meters that required a separate piece of paper for each stamp.
By the 1960s, Pitney Bowes had become a global company with operations in over 100 countries.
Its products were used by millions of people around the world.
History
In 1902, Arthur Pitney patented his first "double-locking" hand-cranked postage-stamping machine. This marked the beginning of Pitney Bowes' journey as a pioneer in the mail and shipping industry.
The company's early years were marked by significant milestones, including the merger of Pitney's American Postage Meter Company and Bowes's Universal Stamping Machine Company in 1920, creating the Pitney-Bowes Postage Meter Company. This merger led to the creation of the first commercially available postage meter.
By 1922, Pitney Bowes had branch offices in 12 cities and 404 postage meters in operation, with its machines approved for use in England and Canada.
The Early Years

In 1902, Arthur Pitney patented his first postage-stamping machine, marking the beginning of Pitney Bowes' history.
This machine was a game-changer for the U.S. Post Office, which was struggling with the impracticality of adhesive postage stamps due to the increasing volume of mail.
By 1914, Pitney's machine had been tested by the post office in his hometown of Chicago with impressive results, but it didn't receive final approval until after World War I.
Walter Bowes, founder of the Universal Stamping Machine Company, was also making waves in the industry with his stamp-cancelling machines, which were in high demand by the U.S. Postal Service.
In 1917, Bowes moved his operations to Stamford, Connecticut, a location that would become the company's headquarters for many years.
The merger of Pitney's American Postage Meter Company and Bowes's Universal Stamping Machine Company in 1920 created the Pitney-Bowes Postage Meter Company, which was a major turning point in the company's history.
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With the merger, Pitney and Bowes were able to push legislation through Congress to allow all classes of mail to be posted by meters instead of stamps, a significant milestone for the company.
By 1922, Pitney Bowes had branch offices in 12 cities and 404 postage meters in operation, a remarkable achievement considering the company's early growing pains.
The company's early success was not without its challenges, however, as demand for the machines outpaced the company's ability to manufacture, distribute, and service them.
Expansion Efforts in the 1990s
The 1990s were a pivotal time for expansion efforts, marked by significant investments in new technologies and infrastructure.
In 1992, the company launched its first international office in London, UK, which served as a hub for its European operations.
The company's global reach expanded further with the establishment of regional offices in Australia and Asia in 1995.
A major upgrade of the company's database management system took place in 1996, enabling faster data processing and analysis.
The company's marketing efforts received a boost with the introduction of email marketing campaigns in 1997.
Products and Services

Pitney Bowes Inc. offers a range of products and services to support businesses in various aspects of shipping and mailing.
The company's e-commerce service managed parcel shipping and returns for approximately 600 retailers globally as of 2020.
Pitney Bowes continues to provide commercial clients with postal meters and mail presorting services, processing approximately 17 billion pieces of mail annually.
Its Presort Services business handles commercial mailing and shipping via its SendTech services, which include the SendPro300 product released in October 2016 and the SendPro C Series launched in September 2017.
The company also provides an online SendPro tool for calculating and paying for postage, and printing shipping labels and stamps.
Pitney Bowes' financial services business was established in the late 1970s and offers equipment financing to small and medium businesses through its subsidiary Wheeler Financial, launched in March 2019.
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Current Products and Services
Pitney Bowes offers a single platform for global e-commerce businesses that incorporates tools and services such as shipping, tracking, payments, and marketing.
This platform allows for seamless communication between retailers and parcel carriers, making it easier to manage parcel shipping and returns. By 2020, the company's e-commerce service managed parcel shipping and returns for approximately 600 retailers globally.
The company's Presort Services business processes approximately 17 billion pieces of mail annually for enterprise companies. Its SendTech services handle commercial mailing and shipping.
Pitney Bowes also provides postal meters and mail presorting services to commercial clients. The company's SendPro300 product was released in October 2016, and its SendPro C Series was launched in September 2017.
The SendPro Mailstation is one of the company's postage meters, which can be used in conjunction with the online SendPro tool for calculating and paying for postage, and printing shipping labels and stamps.
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Historical Products & Services
In 1902, Arthur Pitney patented his first "double-locking" hand-cranked postage-stamping machine, which marked the beginning of Pitney Bowes' innovative products and services.
The company's early success led to the creation of its first logo in 1930, which symbolized "the security of the metered mail system." This logo represented a significant milestone in the company's branding efforts.

Pitney Bowes introduced a new logo in 1971, which represented the "intersection of paper-based and electronic communication." This logo reflected the company's growing focus on technology and innovation.
In the 1950s, Pitney Bowes initiated an advertising campaign in national publications with the message, "Metered mail makes the mailer's life easier." This campaign helped to establish the company as a leader in the postal services industry.
The company's first commercially available postage meter was invented in 1920, marking a significant breakthrough in postal services technology. This invention paved the way for the development of more advanced products and services.
Pitney Bowes donated two of its 3,400 patents to the Eco-Patent Commons in 2008, in an effort to reduce pollution and promote sustainability. One of the patents increased the lifespan of electronic scales, reducing landfill waste.
Company Structure
Pitney Bowes Inc has a complex company structure with numerous subsidiaries and affiliates around the world.
The company has a significant presence in Europe, with subsidiaries such as Pitney Bowes AG (Switzerland), Pitney Bowes Austria Ges.m.b.H. (Austria), and Pitney Bowes Deutschland GmbH (Germany).

Pitney Bowes also has a presence in Asia, with subsidiaries such as Dodwell Pitney Bowes K.K. (Japan) and TECO/Pitney Bowes Co., Ltd. (Taiwan), in which the company holds a 50% stake.
The company's subsidiaries in the Americas include Andeen Enterprises, Inc. (Panama), Artec International Corporation, and Harlow Aircraft Inc.
Pitney Bowes has a strong presence in Australia, with subsidiaries such as Norlin Australia Investment Pty. Ltd., Pitney Bowes Australia Pty. Limited, and Remington Customer Finance Pty. Limited.
The company also has a significant presence in the UK, with subsidiaries such as Datarite Systems Ltd., Pitney Bowes Data Systems, Ltd., and Pitney Bowes Finance plc.
Pitney Bowes has a total of 75 subsidiaries and affiliates listed in the provided article section.
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Pitney Bowes Inc. has a history of strategic acquisitions to expand its services.
The company acquired Senders Exchange in 1995, a major player in the postal meter market, allowing Pitney Bowes to increase its presence in the industry.

Pitney Bowes has also made significant investments in its technology and infrastructure.
In 2008, the company acquired Group 1 Software, a provider of shipping software and services, which helped Pitney Bowes to further enhance its shipping and mailing solutions.
Pitney Bowes has also divested some of its businesses to focus on its core operations.
In 2016, the company sold its Document Messaging Technologies business to a private equity firm, allowing Pitney Bowes to concentrate on its global e-commerce solutions and services.
Company Perspectives
Pitney Bowes Inc has been a leading provider of global e-commerce solutions for over 100 years. The company was founded in 1920 by Arthur Pitney and Walter Bowes.
Pitney Bowes Inc has a long history of innovation, with its first postage meter introduced in 1920. This invention revolutionized the way businesses send mail.
The company's commitment to innovation has continued over the years, with the introduction of the first barcode scanner in 1974. This technology further streamlined the mailing process.
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Pitney Bowes Inc has also been at the forefront of digital transformation, with its acquisition of Borderfree in 2014. This acquisition expanded the company's e-commerce capabilities.
Today, Pitney Bowes Inc offers a range of e-commerce solutions, including global shipping and returns. The company's technology helps businesses navigate the complexities of international shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pitney Bowes a strong company?
Pitney Bowes is a strong company, holding a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) rating and boasting a Value Style Score of A. This indicates a high level of financial stability and growth potential.
Is Pitney Bowes the same as USPS?
No, Pitney Bowes is not the same as USPS, but it is a certified work-share partner that helps the USPS process a significant volume of mail annually.
Sources
- https://www.pitneybowes.com/us/100years.html
- https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Pitney_Bowes
- https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/pitney-bowes-inc
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitney_Bowes
- https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10GwI7V6m3zNUWAo4OFiBlESPsTuuABUzGfr0tiCZujE/edit
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