Some Unknown Facts About Zipper Industry

We might think that zipper industry is a very tiny industry in compare to other textile sectors. There are many unknown facts about the existing zipper industry that we might be interested of. Though it is estimated that this industry is little but this is even bigger than you can imagine. We are going to discuss about this business in depth and reveling some unknown facts about the market size along with the largest zipper manufacturers in the world.

How Big is Zipper Industry?

Zipper industry is very big. At least we can say that it is bigger than our imagination.  According to Global Industry Analysis, zipper industry is estimated to be over $12 billion and expected to become $15 billion by 2025. We may understand by this figure that global zipper manufacturers are accounting a big responsibility and contributing to the global economy. There is a very interesting fact about this industry. One manufacturing company is producing almost 40% of the total zipper in the world and according to their information, they produce a staggering amount of zipper with which we can wrap the world for 50 times.

YKK The Largest Zipper Manufacturer

It is almost unknown to the world about zipper industry. Basically consumers do not know about the manufacturers. Though businesses are in connection with the largest manufacturers or even if they are not connected, they know about the largest brands. YKK is so far the largest zipper manufacturers of zipper in the world and accounts for 46% of total production. YKK is based in Japan but they have factories in 71 countries.

It is said that the amount of zipper they produce every year; it can wrap up the world 50 times. An estimated 1.2 million miles of zippers are produced by this company. Along with this they are also responsible for making airtight zippers and many other innovative zippers those are currently being used in all over the world.

YKK have been producing zippers for spacesuit and they also manufacture fire retardant zippers. Besides they also produce zippers for fish nets, bagpipes. Think about Neil Armstrong who went to moon and walked with his suit. Guess which company made the zipper, YKK.

YKK is involved in manufacturing their zipper fully from melting coppers to finishing the final products. According to YKK manufacturing guideline, there are 15 to 50 steps to make a zipper depending on the functionality of the product.

Other Big Companies of Zipper Industry  

YKK is not only the big brother of this zipper industry. There are many other companies those who are contributing massively in this business. And SBS zipper is one of the largest. SAB though has many other sectors and manufacturing yarn, fabric and clothing along with zipper. Yet we can find this company among the largest zipper manufacturers. 3F and KEE are the next line of manufacturers.

How Did Zippers Born?

The story of zipper invention goes back in 1851 when the inventor of sewing machine Elias Howe patented automated continuous clothing closure. Though he is not the only person to develop the idea but he is one of the front liner. Another man displayed a form of zipper called clasp locker in 1893 in Chicago World Fair. Though the latest invention is way more advanced but that was the first time Elias’s idea was put together. But the advanced separable fastener was developed by Gideon Sundback, an engineer from USA. After his evolutionary modification of the previous zipper designs. It became popular in 1913 and after that military clothing started using them on shoes and clothing.

Zipper Trade War

Zipper industry rivals have been in trade war for long time. Before YKK gained the market, SBS was the largest zipper manufacturer in the world. This china based company was accounting a huge amount of zippers and exporting to the entire world. Until YKK gained power over SBS, they were supplying almost 40% of the total zippers in the world. YKK established their factory in china and started getting export order in massive amount. These two companies are still fighting but SBS is now way behind YKK. YKK has branded their zippers so well that you see YKK everywhere. YKK and SBS are not only into this war rather some other manufacturers are also fighting for latest innovations in this sector.

The Innovation Battle in Zipper Industry

Because fashion industry is constantly changing, new zipper designs are becoming more important. According to trade report, the luxurious brands depends on some of the best zipper manufacturers from Europe. Because YKK and SBS are focusing on the most conventional market, European manufacturers like Riri has always been a favorite brand for luxury products. Riri was founded in 1936 and still continuing its strong presence in the fashion industry.

For last couple of decades, YKK is putting a lot of effort to innovation though this company has been providing a lot of zippers those are highly custom build for various functionality. A lot of companies are still spending a lot for innovation. In every year companies are providing with latest innovation in zipper manufacturing.

The Secrete of Sales  

Zipper market is highly fragmented and its sale depends on innovation, cost and quality. YKK is ahead of sales because they are the best in costing and quality. Other than this largest manufacturer some other companies are keeping up with the best sales record. In zipper industry, costing and quality assurance is necessary because good zippers are required for good clothing brands. So those who are providing better quality products in low cost, they are in a wining situation.

In short, Zipper industry is a very big industry and employing millions of people. This industry is over $12 billion and its growing. YKK and SBS are two of the largest zipper manufacturing companies in the world. YKK is ahead in terms of quality and cost. Though the trade and innovation battle is going on but low cost with high quality is the biggest sailing point of this industry.