Carioca

Italian company founded in 1956 by Alessandro Frola as Universal, from which the Carioca brand was born, a global leader in marker production. The range includes markers, coloured pencils, tempera paints, crayons, educational games and drawing items, with the brand establishing itself in the 1960s through the character Carioca Jò. 70% of products are made in Italy and distributed in over 80 countries worldwide. In 2016 the Toledo family acquired the company, previously in liquidation, and launched an international relaunch plan. The main plant in Settimo Torinese exports over 85% of production to more than 60 countries, with inks produced in-house using food-grade dyes.