YKK wants you to XYZ (examine your zipper). The Japanese company is best-known for its zippers and other fasteners and notions (buttons, snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners) that are found in sewing goods stores and on everything from Levis to luggage. However, the group's largest business segment is aluminum architectural products (windows, curtain walls, sliding doors). In addition, YKK makes precision machinery and die sets. The company operates more than 120 affiliated companies in 70 countries worldwide. One of its US subsidiaries, YKK (U.S.A.) Inc., has the country's largest zipper factory, which produces more than 1,000 zipper styles in more than 1,000 colors. YKK was founded in 1934 by Tadao Yoshida.