In order to stay competitive in today’s crowded and everchanging marketplace, manufacturers are tasked with delivering value in two ways. The first is by providing innovative products that ensure and improve safety and efficacy and the second is by maximizing cost-effectiveness throughout the product’s lifecycle, from development to launch to…
After gaining a clearer understanding about the difference between water-resistant and waterproof YKK® zippers, the next step is learning about some best applications in the outdoor industry for these zippers. AquaGuard® Water-Resistant Zippers Backpacks For years it has been standard to use regular coil chain in backpacks. But then leaders…
Suppliers are the most ideal resources to help manufacturers innovate due to their unique perspectives and abilities. Manufacturer-supplier innovation can be taken a step further when manufacturers choose suppliers focused on their relationships with their customers, also known as customer-intimate suppliers. According to Michael Treacy and Fred Wiersma, customer-intimate suppliers…
Have you determined that your product needs an invisible zipper but you don’t know which is best? Allow us to introduce you to YKK’s lineup of CONCEAL® zippers, which come in a variety of element/teeth sizes, over 700 colors, and include Dye-to-Match (DTM) capabilities. Our lightest invisible zipper, the #2mm,…
Here’s an important question: How do manufacturers cut costs and stay ahead of their competitors when developing new products? The answer is by evaluating Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) when new products are being conceived of and developed. TCO is the sum total of costs incurred throughout a product’s lifecycle,…
SUMMARY This article explores the best way to sew extruded plastic hook fasteners in order to prevent tears. Considerations include sewing thread and stitch length as well needle size. POWERHOOK® FASTENER SELECTION POWERHOOK® fasteners are molded hooks produced with extrusion technology. They vary in material polymer and performance, and can…
This is a question that more customers are asking as they seek to find ways to reduce the environmental footprint of their products. While the term “sustainable” would seem to be straightforward and easy to understand, it can be tricky as it has different meanings for different people. At YKK,…
Summary Car seats are made up of 3 major components: a frame for support, foam for comfort, and a trim cover for appearance. The actual building of the seat follows in the same order. The frame is made of fabricated metal components and assembled. Then, the appropriately designed foam is…
A common question YKK gets is “What is the plastic Velcro called?” VELCRO® is a trademark owned by Velcro Companies. VELCRO® tape is called “hook and loop” generically. The industry term for plastic hook is “extruded hook.” Extruded hook is a molded hook produced with hot melt extrusion technology, which…
