YKK Group
Encyclopedia
Zipper
A zipper is a commonly used device for temporarily joining two edges of fabric...
manufacturer, YKK Group is most famous for making zippers; however, it also manufactures other fastening products, architectural products, as well as industrial machinery.
The initials YKK stand for , Yoshida Manufacturing Corporation.
YKK claims to be the first zipper company to promote environmental protection measures. YKK developed a line of "environmentally friendly zippers", following the company's philosophy "The Cycle of Goodness," which means that one prospers when one renders benefit to others.
Pre World War II
In 1935, a 24 year old Tadao Yoshida was working for a company producing zippers. While he was impressed by the product, his employer went bankrupt. In 1936 Yoshida founded the company that is today YKK in NihonbashiNihonbashi
, or Nihombashi, is a business district of Chūō, Tokyo, Japan which grew up around the bridge of the same name which has linked two sides of the Nihonbashi River at this site since the 17th century. The first wooden bridge was completed in 1603, and the current bridge made of stone dates from 1911...
, Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
. Originally known as , it was renamed in February 1938, and became a Limited
Private company limited by shares
A private company limited by shares, usually called a private limited company , is a type of company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, Scotland, that of certain Commonwealth countries and the Republic of Ireland...
company in February 1942. The company received a setback in May 1945, when their Komatsugawa plant burned down. Nevertheless, the company prospered, and in August 1945 it acquired another company, Uozu Tekkousho K.K., and renamed itself to .
After World War II
In January 1946 the company registered the now famous YKK trademarkTrademark
A trademark, trade mark, or trade-mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or...
. A major technological change came in 1950, when the company purchased a chain machine from the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that allowed the automation of the zipper making process. Previously, YKK zippers were made by hand, and hence had an inferior quality compared to automated zippers from abroad.
In March 1951, YKK relocated its headquarters to Chūō, Tokyo
Chuo, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards that form the heart of Tokyo, Japan. The ward refers to itself as Chūō City in English.Its Japanese name literally means "Central Ward," and it is historically the main commercial center of Tokyo, although Shinjuku has risen to challenge it since the end of World War II...
. In May 1955, a new plant was opened in Kurobe, Toyama
Kurobe, Toyama
is a city located in Toyama, Japan.As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 42,612 and the density of 99.9 persons per km². The total area is 426.34 km². The city was founded on April 1, 1954...
. In August 1958, the headquarters was again relocated to Taitō, Tokyo
Taito, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. In English, it calls itself Taito City.As of April 1, 2011, the ward has an estimated population of 168,909, with 94,908 households, and a population density of 16,745.86 persons per km². The total area is 10.08 km².-History:The ward was founded...
. In this year, the company also introduced its new Conceal brand that does not show the teeth of the zippers. Another major step came in November 1959, with the opening of its first overseas location, producing YKK zippers in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. YKK's first US office opened in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1960 and now is the country's top supplier of zippers and other fastening devices such as snaps
Snap fastener
A snap fastener is a pair of interlocking discs commonly used in place of buttons to fasten clothing. A circular lip under one disc fits into a groove on the top of the other, holding them fast until a certain amount of force is applied...
and buttons
Button
In modern clothing and fashion design, a button is a small fastener, most commonly made of plastic, but also frequently of seashell, which secures two pieces of fabric together. In archaeology, a button can be a significant artifact. In the applied arts and in craft, a button can be an example of...
.
Diversification
In November 1961, the product line was diversified to include aluminum products for buildings. In June 1963, the company relocated its headquarters again to Chiyoda, TokyoChiyoda, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards in central Tokyo, Japan. In English, it is called Chiyoda ward. As of October 2007, the ward has an estimated population of 45,543 and a population density of 3,912 people per km², making it by far the least populated of the special wards...
, the current location of the company. In 1966, a new product YZip was introduced, an extra strong and durable zipper for jeans
Jeans
Jeans are trousers made from denim. Some of the earliest American blue jeans were made by Jacob Davis, Calvin Rogers, and Levi Strauss in 1873. Starting in the 1950s, jeans, originally designed for cowboys, became popular among teenagers. Historic brands include Levi's, Lee, and Wrangler...
. The development of a machine that automatically included the YZip zipper into the stitching process of jeans further increased sales, especially in the USA. In 1968 YKK opened its first branch in Canada. Its Canadian headquarters are currently in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. The 70s saw further expansion, with the opening of three new plants in Utazu, Kagawa
Utazu, Kagawa
is a town located in Ayauta District, Kagawa, Japan.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 16,821 and a density of 2,084.39 persons per km². The total area is 8.07 km².-External links:*...
in April 1972, in Sanbongi, Miyagi
Sanbongi, Miyagi
was a town located in Shida District, Miyagi, Japan.On March 31, 2006, Sanbongi was merged with the towns of Iwadeyama and Naruko, both from Tamatsukuri District, the towns of Kashimadai and Matsuyama, all from Shida District, the town of Tajiri, from Tōda District, and the city of Furukawa to...
in June 1974, and in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto
Yatsushiro, Kumamoto
is a city located in Kumamoto, Japan.On August 1, 2005, the city merged with the municipalities of Izumi, Kagami, Sakamoto, Senchō and Tōyō to form the new expanded city of Yashushiro....
in February 1975, despite the material shortages due to the 1973 oil crisis
1973 oil crisis
The 1973 oil crisis started in October 1973, when the members of Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries or the OAPEC proclaimed an oil embargo. This was "in response to the U.S. decision to re-supply the Israeli military" during the Yom Kippur war. It lasted until March 1974. With the...
. YKK also opened a fastener making factory in the Kingdom of Swaziland nestled between South Africa and Mozambique, which has grown to supply the entire sub-saharan region including Madagascar and Mauritius.
More product lines became available with the Quicklon (sometimes called Cosmolon) fasteners in December 1981. The 80s also saw further international and product expansion, with a real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
business in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
in December 1984, an agricultural business in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
in January 1985, and a plant in Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
in September 1986 producing zippers and aluminum parts for buildings. The company was finally renamed YKK in August 1994.
The new Millennium
In July 2000, the company established YKK Newmax Co., Ltd, specializing in the production of snaps and buttons. In December 2002, a machine company was established in SuzhouSuzhou
Suzhou , previously transliterated as Su-chou, Suchow, and Soochow, is a major city located in the southeast of Jiangsu Province in Eastern China, located adjacent to Shanghai Municipality. The city is situated on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and on the shores of Taihu Lake and is a part...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. A company specializing in sales, YKK Fastening Products Sales Inc. was established in February 2003. YKK AP Inc. was founded in October 2003, specializing in architectural products.
Overall, the organization operates more than 123 affiliated companies in more than 70 countries, representing some 270 plants and offices with some 37,000 employees.
Price fixing
On September 19, 2007 YKK was fined 150.3 million euros by the European CommissionEuropean Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
for running worldwide price-fixing cartels and sharing markets with zip-makers Prym and Coats. Coats of Britain and Prym of Germany were fined 122.4 million and 40.5 million euros respectively for their participation in cartel behaviour. YKK has lodged an appeal.
Fastening products
Fastening products are the first and still the most important product of YKK. Within YKK, the company distinguishes between the Slide Fastener Division, the Textile and Plastic Products Division, and the Snap Fastener and Button Division.- Zippers
- Standard Metal
- YZiP®: Metal zipper, extra durable for jeans
- EverBright®: Metal zipper, polished for visual appeal and corrosion resistant
- EXCELLA®: Metal zipper, polished and plated for visual appeal, also in different colors. [Available in silver, gold and antique finish.]
- Standard Coil
- CONCEAL®: Plastic coil zipper with concealed elements (no visible teeth)
- VISLON®: Standard - rugged plastic zipper
- Hook and loop products, more commonly known under the VelcroVelcroVelcro is the brand name of the first commercially marketed fabric hook-and-loop fastener, invented in 1948 by the Swiss electrical engineer George de Mestral...
brand name of a competitor. - Plastic parts, including various types of clips and buckleBuckleThe buckle or clasp is a device used for fastening two loose ends, with one end attached to it and the other held by a catch in a secure but adjustable manner. Usually overlooked and taken for granted, the invention of the buckle has been indispensable in securing two ends before the invention of...
s - Snaps and buttons, including snap fastenerSnap fastenerA snap fastener is a pair of interlocking discs commonly used in place of buttons to fasten clothing. A circular lip under one disc fits into a groove on the top of the other, holding them fast until a certain amount of force is applied...
s and jeans buttons
Architectural products
Architectural Aluminium products include fenestration systems for glass exteriors; entrances for commercial and institutional structures; Aluminium sunshades; and residential windows.YKK AP America Inc., based in Austell, Ga., manufactures entrances, storefronts, curtain wall, window wall, sunshades, windows and sliding doors for office buildings, residential high-rises, schools, stadiums, shopping centers and institutional structures.
Machinery and Engineering
The Machinery and Engineering Group focuses on the development and production of machines, equipment, and dies, serving YKK Group with the Exclusive Machinery Division, Industrial Machinery Division, and Die Division.Miscellaneous
YKK aims for vertical integrationVertical integration
In microeconomics and management, the term vertical integration describes a style of management control. Vertically integrated companies in a supply chain are united through a common owner. Usually each member of the supply chain produces a different product or service, and the products combine to...
, and also produces the dyed cloth and the brass
Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties.In comparison, bronze is principally an alloy of copper and tin...
for its zippers.
YKK was mentioned in U.S Rap/R&B Group OutKast
OutKast
Outkast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast...
's song, "So Fresh, So Clean
So Fresh, So Clean
"So Fresh, So Clean" is the third and final single to be released from Outkast's fourth studio album, Stankonia. It was produced by longtime collaborators Organized Noize. The music video features the duo and Sleepy Brown performing on a variety of CGI backgrounds, a beauty parlor, and a church...
".
YKK was also mentioned in U.S Rapper GZA
GZA
Gary Grice , better known by his stage names GZA and The Genius, is an American hip hop artist and founding member of the seminal hip hop group the Wu-Tang Clan. He has also appeared on his fellow clan members' solo projects and has maintained a successful solo career...
's song "Lyrical Swords" by Ras Kass
Ras Kass
John Austin IV, better known by his stage name Ras Kass, is an American rapper. He is also a part of hip hop supergroup The HRSMN along with Canibus, Killah Priest, and Kurupt...
.
YKK is humorously referred to as being an acronym for "Yōkoso KoKo", which in Japanese means "welcome here".
Facilities
YKK has manufacturing facilities in 68 countries. YKK also has the world’s largest zipper manufacturing center located in Macon, Georgia, USAMacon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
, where they have 1200 employees.