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Japanese group of manufacturing companies

For other uses, see YKK (disambiguation).

The YKK Group (YKKグループ, Waikeikei Gurūpu) is a Japanese group of manufacturing companies. They are the world's largest zipper manufacturer, also producing other fastening products, architectural products, plastic hardware and industrial machinery.

The initials YKK stand for Yoshida Kōgyō Kabushiki gaisha (吉田工業株式会社, lit. "Yoshida Manufacturing Corporation"), which was the name of the company from until YKK produces fasteners and architectural products at YKK facilities in 70 countries worldwide.^[4]

History

Before World War II

What would later become YKK operated initially as San-es Shokai and was founded by Tadao Yoshida in Higashi Nihonbashi, Tokyo in January The company specialized in marketing of fastening products.

In February , San-es Shokai was renamed to Yoshida Kogyosho. WWII was underway by , and the next major corporate event would not take place until February when the company reorganized as a limited corporation.^[5]

After World War II

In January , the company registered the YKK trademark.

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A major technological change came in , when the company purchased a chain machine from the U.S. 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 , YKK relocated its headquarters to Chūō, Tokyo.

In May , a new plant was opened in Kurobe, Toyama. In August , the headquarters was again relocated to Taitō, Tokyo. 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 , with the opening of its first overseas location, producing YKK zippers in New Zealand.

YKK's first US office opened in New York City in and is now the country's top supplier of zippers and other fastening devices such as snaps and buttons. As the company grew, it brought every step of manufacturing in-house, including smelting brass and dyeing cloth.^[6]

Diversification

In November , the product line was diversified to include aluminium products for buildings.

In June , the company relocated its headquarters again to Chiyoda, Tokyo, the current location of the company. In , a new product YZip was introduced, an extra strong and durable zipper for jeans. 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 , YKK opened its first branch in Canada.

Tadao yoshida biography of christopher YKK Management Principle. When pursuing his business, Mr. Retrieved November 13, We have inherited this way of thinking and have established it as the YKK corporate philosophy.

Its Canadian headquarters are currently in Montreal, Quebec. There was further expansion in the s, with the opening of three new plants in Utazu, Kagawa in April , in Sanbongi, Miyagi in June , and in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto in February YKK also opened a fastener-making factory in Eswatini which has grown to supply the entire sub-Saharan region, including Madagascar and Mauritius.^{[citation needed]}

More product lines became available with the Quicklon (sometimes called Cosmolon) fasteners in December International and product expansion continued during the s, with a real estate business in Singapore in December , an agricultural business in Brazil in January , and a plant in Indonesia in September producing zippers and aluminium parts for buildings.

The company was finally renamed YKK in August ^{[citation needed]}

New millennium

In July , the company established YKK Newmax Co., Ltd, specializing in the production of snaps and buttons. In December , a machine company was established in Suzhou, China. In April , a research and development facility was established in Hokkaido, Japan.

Tadao yoshida biography of christopher cross Nihonbashi , Tokyo January 1, ; 91 years ago Net income. Terms and Conditions of Sale. When pursuing his business, Mr.

A company specializing in sales, YKK Fastening Products Sales Inc. was established in February YKK AP Inc. was founded in October , specializing in architectural products. Overall, the organization operates affiliated companies in 71 countries, with 42, employees.^[4]

Price fixing

On September 19, , YKK was fined € million by the European Commission for running worldwide price-fixing cartels and sharing markets with zipper-makers Prym and Coats.

Coats of Britain and Prym of Germany were fined € million and € million respectively for their participation in cartel behaviour.^[7] YKK lost its appeal to the General Court on June 27, ^[8][9] It then launched an appeal to the European Court of Justice on September 5, ^[10]

In October , part of the fine was reduced by the European high court from € million to € million.^[11][12]

Products

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, corrosion resistant
  • Excella: Metal zipper, polished and plated for visual appeal, also in different colours (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
• Plastic parts, including various types of clips and buckles
• Snaps and buttons, including snap fasteners and jeans buttons

On August 26, , YKK Corporation filed a patent infringement complaint in the Middle District of Georgia against Velcro USA Inc.

of Manchester, New Hampshire, relating to a fastener strip used in foam moulded products like a cushion body used for an automobile seat.^[13]

Architectural products

Architectural Aluminium products include fenestration systems for glass exteriors; entrances for commercial and institutional structures; Aluminium sunshades and residential windows.

Clear

Clear

YKK Group and YKK AP Philosophy | YKK ... - YKK AP Global Website

YKK Corporate Philosophy

It is based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.^[14]

YKK AP America Inc. manufactures entrances, store fronts, curtain wall, window wall, sunshades, windows and sliding doors for office buildings, residential high-rises, schools, stadiums, shopping centres and institutional structures.^[15]

Machinery and engineering

The Machinery and Engineering Group focuses on the development and production of machines, equipment, and dyes, serving YKK Group with the Exclusive Machinery Division, Industrial Machinery Division, and Dye Division.

Facilities

As of March 31, , YKK has manufacturing facilities in 70 countries.^[4]

References

External links