JUKI Corporation and YKK Corporation have entered into a joint development agreement, and plan to leverage their fastening products and sewing technologies and expertise to develop solution products focused on resolving the various challenges experienced at apparel and sewn product factories.
According to the agreement, joint development will be carried out on sewing machines for attaching zippers onto products with distinctive technologies that generate new values for customers in relevant markets. Because sewing machines are the primary vehicle for the attachment of zippers in the apparel and sewn product sectors, JUKI and YKK can leverage their strengths and jointly develop original sewing technologies for fastening products.
JUKI and YKK plan to complete and introduce into the market their first jointly developed sewing machines for attaching zippers by the end of fiscal 2017.
The agreement will generate a synergistic effect, enhancing their capability for proposing solutions to common customers. JUKI and YKK have common customers because zippers are mostly sewn onto products using sewing machines. Their worldwide sales channels will allow them to offer more wide-ranging and in-depth solutions to customers with original sewing machines for attaching zippers onto products.
JUKI and YKK say that the amalgamation of their technological and service-offering capabilities is to generate a synergistic effect, and support the strengthening and expansion of their businesses, as well as contributing to further development of the apparel and sewn product industry.