YKK has announced that WaveOn is joining its network of software partners supporting YKK’s Touchlink® fasteners enabled with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. California based WaveOn is a software service provider that connects brands and consumers via products. Utilizing NFC technology, WaveOn helps brands turn physical products into rich interactive customer experiences.
By joining YKK’s software partner network for Touchlink fasteners, WaveOn looks to combine its award-winning software with the Touchlink fastener hardware to help brands create unique consumer engagements. Requiring no app or search engine, consumers can access customized experiences with a wave of their smartphone to the Touchlink zipper puller.
WaveOn plans to promote YKK’s Touchlink fastener hardware solution to brand customers as a digital access point that can be designed into their products. By using YKK® zippers with Touchlink zipper pullers, brands can easily add digital connectivity to their products without having to alter their designs.
“The WaveOn platform ultimately connects consumers to digital and Web3 experiences through their physical products,” said Jurgen Schmerler, CEO of WaveOn. “YKK’s expertise helps us bring that platform to life in a wide variety of products and simplifies the embedding process for our brand partners.”
YKK’s growing network of Touchlink fastener software partners is increasing the number of firms that brands can choose from to help them develop and deploy new consumer experiences and offerings. Specializing in digital consumer product interaction these software partners have developed a wide range of experiences and services ranging from providing product and warranty information to one-on-one consumer engagement to enabling product resale and rental programs.
“We see TouchLink fasteners not only as a portal for brands to provide their customers a unique brand experience unmatched by other technologies,” says Terry Tsukumo, Vice President of YKK Corporation’s Global Marketing Group, “but as an important component for enabling new circular business models.”
Another advantage of YKK’s TouchLink fastener is its permanence and durability. The NFC chip is molded into the zipper puller, which completely encases it, making it highly resistant to moisture and breakage.
“A zipper puller is very unlikely to be removed by consumers like a care tag or label. Embedding the NFC chip in the puller gives it durable protection from washing or breakage,” explains Tsukumo.
Apparel products featuring the Touchlink fastener will be available to consumers starting Fall 2022.
About WaveOn
With WaveOn, brands turn their physical products into new attributable Web3 marketing, sales, and service experiences – no apps, no search engines. Through a combination of award-winning software and contactless technology, WaveOn merges offline and online commerce, turning products into digital points of sale and building strong pre- and post-purchase engagement. WaveOn builds metaverse-ready solutions for the world’s leading sports brands, including BMC, Deuter, Eagle Creek, Firewire and many others. Discover more about WaveOn: https://WaveOn.com
Media contact: Edd Uzzell edd@waveon.com
About YKK
YKK solves the most complex fastening and attaching challenges. Since the company’s founding in Tokyo in 1934, YKK has continuously set industry standards for quality, innovation, and sustainability in the production of zippers, plastic hardware, hook and loop fasteners, webbing tapes, and snap and buttons. YKK’s “solutions-first” approach leverages its extensive product and machinery portfolio, engineering expertise, and integrated production, service, and supply chain solutions in 70+ countries/regions, leaving it well-positioned to support the growth of customers of all sizes and adapt to their evolving business needs. Guided by the CYCLE OF GOODNESS® philosophy – no one prospers without rendering benefit to others – YKK aims to contribute to a sustainable society through its products and manufacturing operations and constantly seeks new ways to serve the changing needs of its customers while at the same time investing in its employees and giving back to its communities.
Media contact: Jessica Cork, jessicacork@ykk.com
YKK, Touchlink, and “CYCLE OF GOODNESS” are registered trademarks of YKK CORPORATION.
©2022 YKK Corporation of America
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