Rubi Industria de Cremalleras is a Spanish company that manufactures

zipper A zipper (N. America), zip, zip fastener (UK), formerly known as a clasp locker, is a commonly used device for binding together two edges of textile, fabric or other flexible material. Used in clothing (e.g. jackets and jeans), luggage and oth ...

s and is one of the oldest companies to do so.

History

Cremalleras Rubi was founded in 1926 in the town of Rubí,

Barcelona Barcelona ( ; ; ) is a city on the northeastern coast of Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second-most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within c ...

, which still maintains its headquarters and single plant. In the 1930s, the

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...

company Imperial Metallurgic Industries (IMI) bought the company and, having no experience in the market of the zippers, partnered with one of the European leaders in the industry, the German manufacturer Opti. The company remained in forefront of the European market until the late seventies. In 1981, due to financial difficulties, the Spanish subsidiary defaulted and four years later, it was bought their 256 employees, turning the company into a labor corporation (SAL). The company regained its original name Rubi Industria de Cremalleras in 1996. The company continued to grow but as a result of the

2008 financial crisis The 2008 financial crisis, also known as the global financial crisis (GFC), was a major worldwide financial crisis centered in the United States. The causes of the 2008 crisis included excessive speculation on housing values by both homeowners ...

in 2009 the company started a restructuring process. This cumulated in 2016 with a buy out from two

investment fund An investment fund is a way of investment, investing money alongside other investors in order to benefit from the inherent advantages of working as part of a group such as reducing the risks of the investment by a significant percentage. These ad ...

s that refloating the business. Although it reverted to a conventional corporation, “in spirit” it remains in the hands of its workers.

References

{{Reflist

External links

"01/2013-Cremalleras Rubí, una histórica que sigue abrochando..."
— ''Moda.es''

— ''Diario de Córdoba''
"Rubí Star, la nueva estrella de Cremalleras Rubí."
— ''Técnica del Calzado''
"Cremalleras Rubí lanza un nuevo concepto de producto."
— ''Mercería Actualidad'' Manufacturing companies based in Barcelona