YKK AP's Value Creation

"Financial foundations supporting our business"

Based on the YKK philosophy, the Cycle of Goodness^®, the entire YKK Group is improving capital efficiency based on group financing. YKK AP will invest capital with the goal of achieving a return on assets (ROA) of 6−7%. Overseas, we are promoting the appointment of local employees to management positions, aiming for a "system that allows overseas profits to be reinvested locally." Making dynamic investment decisions in line with local conditions has strengthened our competitiveness on the global level. In order to realize the "Evolution 2030" vision, which aims to achieve net sales on the order of one trillion yen, we will invest financial capital in Japan and overseas at the most effective time.

"Forest Organization with a shared corporate philosophy"

We conduct human capital management based on the concept of "Forest Management," as advocated by YKK's founder Tadao Yoshida, and are aiming to become a vibrant "Forest Organization" that grows autonomously by making the most of each individual's unique characteristics. Under the leadership of the CHRO (Chief Human Resources Officer), our human resources strategy is to recruit employees internally who will take on the challenge of creating new businesses through innovation, and to strengthen the organizational system of related divisions. In addition, to support individual career development, we will strengthen the "common mentor" career consultation system, introduce digital/IT literacy education, and improve employee engagement by creating an employee-friendly and fulfilling workplace environment.

"High-quality products and services provided by an integrated production system"

Based on YKK AP's integrated production system, which is one of its strengths, the company is enhancing its technological competitiveness by conducting monozukuri that is coordinated with manufacturing technology from the product development stage. In addition to planned capital investments that anticipate supply and demand from a medium-term perspective, we will strengthen our manufacturing and supply capabilities while actively making investments that create an employee-friendly and fulfilling workplace environment. DX promotion is also picking up pace, including optimization of production activities through the introduction of smart factories, and making safety measures and demand/supply forecasting more efficient using AI.

"Co-creation relationships based on trust and reliance with stakeholders"

To remain a company that is a well-loved part of society, we not only pursue profits as a single company, but also value our relationships with all of our stakeholders, including our employees, customers, business partners, and local communities. In order to improve YKK AP's brand appeal and have the value of its presence recognized, we place great importance on communication and provide opportunities for dialogue and co-creation in various forms. We will contribute to the sustainable development of society by staying attuned to the needs of each of our stakeholders, identifying issues and developing technologies, and by solving social issues through our products and services.

"Creating environmental value at all stages of the lifecycle"

We have set numerical targets for the four environmental issues specified in the YKK AP Environmental Management Policy: "climate change," "resource recycling," "water," and "biodiversity," and are taking on the challenge of creating new value through technological innovation and achieving zero environmental impacts. At our manufacturing sites, we are promoting reductions in energy use through the introduction of high-efficiency equipment and the use of renewable energy. In addition, to address the risk of water use restrictions in different regions, we are working to reduce water consumption by promoting water recycling and reclamation. We are also further expanding activities to create environmental value, such as green procurement of raw materials and environmentally friendly design.

"Monozukuri based on a system of research, development and verification
Incorporating new perspectives to generate innovation"

In addition to the YKK AP R&D Center, Value Verification Center, and Partners Support Studio (all located in Kurobe City, Toyama Prefecture), which handle the development, evaluation and verification, technical proposals, and information dissemination that form the foundation of our monozukuri process, we maintain four development and research organizations around the world. This involves facilities in the warm climate of Japan, the cold climate of Germany, and the hot and humid climate of Indonesia, along with xTech Lab (cross-tech lab) in the U.S.A., a research & development center for the digital field.

In developing new technologies and materials, these organizations collaborate with the Technology Innovation Center (TIC), a cross-functional research and development division spanning the YKK Group's Fastening and AP businesses, while also actively pursuing joint research with universities and various research institutions.