Global leading zipper company YKK acquires Panasonic's smart toilet business

On the afternoon of November 17th, it was announced that Panasonic Holdings will sell its wholly-owned subsidiary, Panasonic Housing Solutions, to YKK Group in order to promote the business structure reform launched in 2025 and accelerate the transformation towards lightweight operations.

When it comes to YKK, everyone may be unfamiliar with this name, but it is actually the world's largest zipper manufacturer. Public information shows that YKK was founded in 1934 and produces zippers for well-known brands such as Prada, Archaeopteryx, Patagonia, and The North Face. Its production accounts for about a quarter of the global market and its output value accounts for about 45% of the global market.