If you look down at your zipper, there’s a hefty chance it bears the initials YKK. Why?
The letters stand for Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikigaisha, a name that translates to “Yoshida Manufacturing Shareholding Company”.
Businessman Tadao Yoshida founded the zipper behemoth in Tokyo in 1934, deciding to focus on just one product — an essential tool used to fasten clothes, accessories, and other products all over the world. The company has since expanded into all types of fasteners and snaps, also architecture materials, but it remains a cornerstone of the zipper industry, operating in 71 countries.
YKK makes half the zippers on Earth — more than 7 billion a year. The company has a reputation for making strong, dependable zippers. The company also cornered the overseas market for clothing early, making them a titan of the fastener industry. That’s why you’re likely to see their brand on your jeans and jackets than anyone else’s.
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