More Information : Corporate Background Corporate Philosophy / Vision Mission Statement YKK Site Links Employment Opportunities FAQs YKK (U.S.A.) Inc. YKK AP America Inc. (Commercial) YKK AP America Inc. (Residential) YKK Snap Fasteners America Inc. Tape Craft Corporation YKK Canada Inc. YKK Costa Rica Ltda. YKK West Indies Ltd. YKK Mexicana S.A. de C.V. YKK Honduras S.A. YKK El Salvador S.A. de C.V. YKK do Brazil Ltda. YKK Corporation (Japan)

1. What does "YKK" stand for?
2. Other than zippers, what products does YKK produce today?
3. YKK has a famous philosophy; exactly what is it?
4. Does YKK have an environmental policy?
5. How did a company famous for zippers get into the architectural building products business?
6. How large is YKK?
7. Where are YKK Headquarters?
8. How many people are employed by YKK Corporation of America?
9. Why is "YKK" stamped on all my zippers?
10. Does it take so many manufacturing plants to make a zipper?
11. How can I get a job with YKK?
12. How can I purchase stock in the YKK Company, and what's your trading symbol on the NY Stock Exchange?
13. My zipper broke! How can I find a replacement?
14. Does YKK America Group have a mission statement? What is it?

1. What does "YKK" stand for?
YKK was founded in Japan as a zipper manufacturing company in 1934 by Tadao (pronounced in English as Tah-dah-o) Yoshida. In the early years, Mr. Yoshida's company carried his name; it was called Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha--or "YKK" for short. (That long Japanese name translates roughly into English as "Yoshida Company Limited.") Over the years, the letters "YKK" were stamped onto the zippers' pull tabs, and thus YKK became known as the Company's trademark. Today, the name of the brand is also the name of the company: YKK Corporation.

2. Other than zippers, what products does YKK produce today?
Aside from zippers, YKK also makes other Fastening Products--like hook & loop self-closing tape fastening systems, webbings, and metal and plastic notions and buckles -- all marketed under the famous brandname YKK®. YKK AP also produces Aluminum Products -- like window and entrance systems for low, medium, and high rise commercial applications; and residential architectural products like vinyl windows -- all marketed under the famous YKK AP® brand.

3. YKK has a famous philosophy; exactly what is it?
Mr. Yoshida called his philosophy the Cycle of Goodness. It means that "No one prospers unless he renders benefit to others." According to his philosophy, Mr. Yoshida believed he must manufacture only useful, high quality zippers that would benefit, or enhance, the end-use goods in which they were installed. Since his product was a component in his customer's products, and the critical moving part, he believed it would have to perform perfectly over a long period of time so that those end-use goods would last longer and perform better than others on the market. When they did, all involved would benefit. Because of this guiding principle, YKK became involved in vertical manufacturing. This means that YKK not only produces the zippers, but also the machines that make the zippers--and even many of the raw materials that go into the zippers--like the polyester and brass that make up the tape, teeth and sliders.

4. Does YKK have an environmental policy?
A) Yes, in 1994 YKK established a YKK Group Environmental Charter for our organization worldwide. The basic principle of this Charter is to seek harmonization between abundant and healthy lives for all humankind and the environment. Under this Charter, YKK will endeavor to preserve and improve the environment in all aspects of our business activities. The YKK Group established the YKK Group Environmental Charter in September 1994, and has consistently taken on environmental issues as a company-wide challenge. The principle of the Environmental Charter is to promote prosperous, healthy lives and harmonious co-existence with our environment, and to preserve and improve the environment throughout our corporate operations. Through our corporate activities, we seek to develop an environmentally friendly management style and contribute to the establishment of a recycle-type ecomomic society by promoting environmental policies at all stages, from design and production to disposal, collection, and recycling.

B) Recently, YKK (U.S.A.) Inc. spelled out its goals for operating its huge National Manufacturing Center in Macon, Georgia, under this Charter as well. The policy follows.

YKK (U.S.A.) Inc. – Macon

Environmental Policy

YKK management is dedicated to:

Eliminating Waste -- YKK will work to find better ways to manufacture our products with less toxic materials and feed-stocks thus reducing or eliminating the generation of waste.

Preventing Pollution -- YKK will develop and maintain pollution prevention plans that focus on minimizing waste at the source and comply with all relevant environmental legislation, regulations, and other requirements to which YKK subscribes.

Continual Improvement -- YKK will work diligently continually to improve the Environmental Management System (EMS) to lessen our environmental impact.

Providing Resources -- YKK will provide the necessary resources and information to develop, implement, and maintain an effective EMS.

Providing Information -- YKK will make the policy available to all employees and the public to provide a better understanding of YKK’s environmental commitment to the three Rs: Reduce, Recycle, Reuse.

5. How did a company famous for zippers get into the architectural building products business?
Through vertically integrated manufacturing, YKK Corporation learned much about metal production -- including aluminum. Today, architectural products represent 2/3rds of the total worldwide sales of YKK. YKK AP America Inc. is the U.S. Architectural Products subsidiary of YKK Corporation of America. The manufacturing center for these commercial building products is in Dublin, Georgia. There, YKK AP America produces tons of aluminum each month for use as building sash in huge structures like the Georgia Dome, the Coca-Cola World Pavilion, and the Atlanta Braves Stadium. Another aspect of the business of YKK AP America is the manufacture in Macon, Georgia, of vinyl windows for residences.

6. How large is YKK?
Today, YKK Corporation employs 37,000+ people globally, maintains 4 R&D centers, and operates in more than 70 countries around the world.

7. Where are YKK Headquarters?
The worldwide parent company, still privately held, is YKK Corporation with headquarters in Japan. Administrative headquarters are in Tokyo, and manufacturing headquarters are located where the Company was originally founded, in Kurobe, on the far side of the big island of Japan. The American subsidiary is YKK Corporation of America with headquarters in Marietta, Georgia.

8. How many people are employed by YKK Corporation of America?
YKK Corporation of America oversees 16 total companies across five time zones in the Western Hemisphere; collectively we employ 3,000+ across the USA as well as in Canada, Mexico, and Central and South America.

9. Why is "YKK" stamped on my zippers?
Just in the U.S.A., YKK produces millions of zippers every day in Macon, Georgia, at its National Manufacturing Center. With some of the most modern plants on earth, the Macon operation represents the largest zipper production center in the entire world. As the brand name, YKK® is stamped on the pull-tab of most of the zippers. Some of the zippers, though, carry the brand name of the end-use product.

10. Does it take so many manufacturing plants to make a zipper?
Yes! It does if it's to carry the YKK® brand. If it's just any zipper, it can be assembled in a single plant, but YKK believes our products must be as perfect as possible. So, YKK developed and implemented a manufacturing system that's truly unique. Called our "total vertically integrated manufacturing system," this focused method requires YKK to produce everything possible, from the raw materials to the finished goods (including the huge processing machines), in-house. This method of manufacturing requires many plants. We make our own brass from zinc and copper in our own foundry; we make the zippers' bottom stops, top stops, sliders, and pull-tabs. And we approach the architectural products' industry in the same way. We make our own aluminum extrusions from T-ingots that we smelt in our own plant; we produce the logs, test, produce the dies, and extrude the sash ourselves. We anodize with our Anodized Plus® process for the most consistent finish available. We also produce fine vinyl windows for residences. And, you'll find this philosophy in YKK's integrated manufacturing facilities around the world.

11. How can I get a job with YKK?
To inquire about employment opportunities with YKK, please contact the department of labor for the state in which the YKK company of your choice is located.

12. How can I purchase stock in the YKK Company, and what's your trading symbol on the NY Stock Exchange?
YKK is a privately held company. Our stock is not for sale, and we therefore have no trading symbol. We appreciate your interest in YKK.

13. My zipper broke! How can I find a replacement?
YKK manufactures millions of zippers a day for sale to our customers who produce consumer goods like jeans, tents, luggage, sporting goods, etc. We are not set up to sell one zipper to an individual. Instead, American & Efird, the thread company, serves the home sewing market for us. Contact them on their website (www.amefird.com), and someone will tell you the retailer nearest you who carries YKK zippers. We appreciate your interest in YKK.

14. Does YKK America Group have a mission statement? What is it?

Our YKK America Group Mission:

As employees in the companies which comprise YKK America Group, we take great pride in our mission which is to innovate, produce, sell and service quality closures and architectural building products so that we might render benefit to society in the following ways:

Customers -- by providing superior products that best meet their needs in the changing global marketplace -- the components and technology which add value to their products, thereby contributing to their profitability and growth. Our trading partners also include suppliers, bankers, and other professionals. We value our relationships with them, and we will always treat them fairly.

Employees -- by providing a safe and secure workplace, a respectable livelihood, and challenging opportunities to develop potential to the fullest. By welcoming and respecting different cultures and personalities within our company we become stronger. We are all "YKK Citizens."

Communities -- by providing jobs, paying taxes, and utilizing local businesses. Through our individual and corporate participation, we will actively support the communities in which we work and live. As good corporate citizens, we will promote technological development and comprehensive measures to preserve and enhance the environment.

To achieve these goals, we must ensure that our company remains financially sound. Accomplishing this will require teamwork, flexibility, continuous improvement of our individual efforts, and strong, skillful leadership throughout YKK America Group. The results will benefit all society as we work, grow, and prosper together.