YKK AP Technology Museum Opens

　The YKK AP Technology Museum is an exhibition facility based on the concept of tracing the history of YKK AP’s manufacturing and technological challenges and connecting them to future growth. The museum introduces how the architectural products business began in 1959 with the installation of an aluminum extruder, and how it has grown and developed, focusing on manufacturing technology. In addition to conveying the history of architectural products technology and the thoughts of our engineers, it also shows YKK AP’s commitment to the challenge of "Technology Oriented Value Creation."

　The building, which was originally an aluminum melting and extrusion plant completed in 1959 in Kurobe City, Toyama Prefecture, where the architectural products business was founded, has been preserved and renovated for use. The uninsulated building was retrofitted with full thermal insulation to provide energy-saving performance equivalent to a BELS rating (*1) of 5 stars. The curtain wall (*2) used for the newly renovated walls is made of 100% recycled aluminum, contributing to reductions in waste and CO₂ emissions. In the future, we aim to use 100% renewable energy and reuse waste heat energy generated in production processes at the Kurobe Plant.

　While retaining the steel truss roof and steel sashes from the time of the building’s construction as an exhibition facility, the building is covered with a curtain wall on one side, a fusion of old and new architecture that dynamically enlarges the space. In addition, through the effective use of natural light in the exhibition and spatial design that creates a connection with the outdoors, the building gives a sense of YKK AP’s identity as a window company.

　The exhibition consists of seven zones, introducing the history of YKK AP’s technology and its spirit of monozukuri, including the technologies that have supported the growth of the company's business, the high functionality of its products, and its efforts to take on new business models. The exhibits include a company-built aluminum extruder (1987) that was used in actual production.

■ Access to the YKK AP Technology Museum

■ Overview of the YKK AP Technology Museum

[Exhibition Overview]

〈Founding〉Area

Chapter1. Beginnings of the Architectural Products Business —How did a Zipper Company Come to make Architectural Products?—

We gained experience in manufacturing aluminum extrusions for table edges(*3) and showcases, and our technical capabilities in extrusion greatly improved with the production of spandrels(*4), which are wide but very thin, requiring advanced extrusion techniques. The windows of YKK AP’s plants had their steel sashes replaced with "AS-200" aluminum sashes, the first of their kind developed in-house. Following the development of aluminum fittings, YKK developed "Hi-Sash," an aluminum sash for residential use, and turned the architectural products business into a new pillar of YKK’s business. The video theater depicts the history of YKK AP from its founding to the present, as well as the spirit of monozukuri that lies at the foundation of the company.

*3: A component used to protect the side face of the top surface of a table.

*4: A decorative panel made of metal, used as building materials. Mainly used for exterior walls and ceilings of buildings.

〈Development〉Area

Chapter2. Changing Japanese Housing with Aluminum Sashes

In an era of rapid economic growth in Japan, changing wooden windows to aluminum sashes required mass production of high-quality products. It also marked the start of integrated production, with the world undergoing a dramatic shift to high-mix low-volume production. This change was backed by a history of technology that always sought monozukuri (Japanese manufacturing) of high-quality products while responding to the needs of the times. The profiles used to make a wide variety of aluminum sashes must be manufactured with high precision, sufficient strength, and an attractive appearance. This area presents our technological development efforts in casting, tooling, extrusion, and surface treatment to achieve this goal.

Chapter3. Creating Sashes and Glass with Thermal Insulation for a Comfortable Home

In the 1980s, there was growing interest in energy conservation. Engineers raised the new theme of "thermal insulation" as a way to balance energy efficiency and a comfortable living environment. Starting with cold regions, we worked on the development of insulation products for windows and doors with thermal insulation sashes and insulating glass. This involved the development of "profile thermal insulation sashes" that cut off heat transfer in aluminum profiles, as well as "aluminum-vinyl composite sashes" and "vinyl sashes” made by the extrusion molding of vinyl, which offers excellent thermal insulation properties. In addition, we quickly began working on technology to insulate glass, which takes up a large proportion of a window’s surface area. This section discusses the development of technologies for manufacturing "insulating glass" and sputtering(*5) technology for "Low-E glass" to achieve the required performance and quality.

*5: A treatment technology that forms a film on the glass surface to enhance functions such as thermal insulation performance.

〈Transformation〉Area

 Chapter4. From Sashes to Windows. Taking on Responsibility for Every Part of the Window

Overseas, industrially produced windows were manufactured in factories, but in Japan, the typical distribution channel was for frames and glass to be delivered to architectural product distributors, who then assembled them. In 2006, by creating quality windows at our own plants and taking responsibility for all aspects of windows, we worked to build a new business model, the "window business," to convey the new value of windows to the world. We developed a production line to manufacture a large variety of windows for a single house by synchronizing the glass panels at a dedicated window factory, from where they are delivered to the installation site. This section communicates our efforts regarding the technologies that support the window business, such as technologies to "enhance the design, function, and performance of windows," "create a wide variety of window products," and "deliver windows."

Chapter5. Creating Vibrant, Attractive Urban Spaces with Curtain Walls

The curtain wall business is a new area in which we have worked to further develop our architectural products business. This section presents our technological challenges in realizing architects’ ideas through our advanced design proposals and engineering capabilities. These challenges have led to improvements in the technological capabilities of each of YKK AP’s businesses.

Chapter6. From Kurobe to the World

In our overseas operations, we develop and manufacture products locally to suit the climate and culture of each country. This area presents the development of products with the functions and performance required in local markets, the materials and resources needed to realize them, our production technology initiatives, and the development of businesses rooted in local markets through integrated production.

〈Challenges〉Area

Chapter7. We Build a Better Society Through Architectural Products

This area introduces YKK AP’s Purpose, "We Build a Better Society Through Architectural Products," its challenge to achieve "zero environmental impact" in its business activities through manufacturing, and its efforts to develop new products and technologies

〈YKK AP Predecessors Hall〉—Hisamasa Yoshida, Founder of the Architectural Products Business, and his Elite Team—

The life and achievements of Hisamasa Yoshida, the father of the architectural products business, are recounted in an exhibition and video.