Japanese Zipper Titan YKK Acquires Italy’s Metal Coating Specialist Bluclad

YKK, the world’s largest zipper manufacturer, is taking over Italy’s Bluclad. The Japanese company has taken over all the shares of the company that produces metal coatings for zippers, buttons and other textile accessories, according to Pambianco News on Thursday.

The objective of this union is to focus on the luxury segment, integrating Bluclad’s experience. According to the company, its supply chain will benefit, strengthening YKK’s range of services, as well as reducing the environmental impact of the zipper finishing phase.

YKK intends to maintain the products already offered by Bluclad, as well as not changing the brand name. In addition, the company has emphasized that this alliance will allow it to gain a foothold in the “European luxury sector”, where Bluclad is already present.

According to the Italian media, the YKK group’s turnover amounted to 998.2 billion yen (approximately $6.7 million) in 2024. For its part, Bluclad’s turnover was positioned in the same period at 25 million euros.

YKK’s turnover last year was 998.2 billion yen (around $6.7 million)

YKK has introduced this new strategy, which aims to strengthen it in the luxury sector, after carrying out forays into the low-cost sector. In 2017, the Japanese company invested millions of dollars in China and other Asian countries to increase its production capacity in the fashion and accessories market.

Japan’s YKK is one of the largest zipper manufacturing groups in the world. Founded in 1934 by Tadao Yoshida, its name comes from the initials of Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha, the equivalent of Yoshida S.A. in English.

In 1977, YKK chose Barcelona as the commercial location for its subsidiary in Spain, attracted by the industrial dynamism, specifically textiles, of the area. At that time, the company also found value in the road, air and port communication structures offered by the territory. Today, the headquarters are located in Travessera de les Corts.

In 1976 its first factory was inaugurated on the outskirts of town of Tortosa, designed to serve the domestic market. Since then, the manufacturing facilities have been expanded to almost 65,000 square meters of floor space.

Today, YKK concentrates the bulk of its business in the middle and luxury fashion segment, used by companies such as Levi Strauss and Adidas, as well as space suits and car seats.