In the United States, YKK Corporation of America produces seven million zippers every day in its Macon, Ga., National Manufacturing Center. Two major operational pillars are fastening products including zippers, hook and loop self-closing tape systems, webbings, snaps and buttons and plastic notions; and architectural products including entrances and window systems for storefront, window wall and curtain wall systems applications. In 1934, Tadao Yoshida founded YKK as a zipper manufacturing company in Japan. YKK opened its first office in New York, N.Y., in 1960. Privately-held YKK Corporation has 121 companies, employs 37,160 people, maintains 4 R&D centers, and operates in 59 countries globally. Today the company has operations in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America. The American subsidiary is YKK Corporation of America with headquarters in Marietta, Ga.