WASHINGTON, DC, April 8, 2026 __ The United States Footwear Manufacturers Association is pleased to welcome YKK Americas, a global leader in fastening solutions, as we broaden our coalition and strengthen our national capacity to outfit the armed forces.
YKK, which recently entered the boot market with the acquisition of Collt’s Manufacturing, produces a range of “boot hardware,” such as metal eyelets, zippers, speed loops, and buckles. Its customers already include Belleville Boot Co., McRae Footwear, Danner, and Rocky Boots.
“YKK joins USFMA as we accelerate our efforts to build a more robust U.S. industrial base for military footwear,” said USFMA Executive Director Bill McCann. “YKK’s expanding focus on this market will help us garner more support for policies such as the BOOTS Act that will reduce our dependence on foreign-made military equipment that may not be available in wartime.”
“Boots are a new industry for us,” said Phillip Robider, YKK Americas’ head of sales for government and safety. “We have invested a lot to help make sure the warfighters have what they need.”
YKK grew from its roots nearly a century ago as a zipper maker into a global leader of fasteners and other products for a range of industries. Robider said YKK’s boot hardware division, which is headquartered in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, can help demonstrate that American footwear producers and suppliers are prepared to meet the military requirements for high-quality, America-made footwear options, as required by the Berry Amendment.
“I’ve talked to every boot manufacturer out there that has military contracts,” said Robider, who recently attended USFMA’s Spring Meeting in Washington. “Every single one has expressed concern about the capacity of their current suppliers. We are at one-third capacity. By adding another shift or more equipment, we’ll be ready to meet their needs.”
YKK is also eager to learn from fellow members how it can best contribute to achieving the association’s broader “Made in the USA” policy agenda in Washington.
“We believe the more we can all help each other move in the same direction,” Robider said, “the more buy-in we can get from our federal government partners to grow this critical sector.”
Said McCann: “USFMA is thrilled to have YKK, and we are already leveraging their core competencies to fuel more productivity and secure more jobs that will boost America’s economic competitiveness and rebuild a domestic industry that is also a national security imperative.”