Global Fastener News

Sustainable sealing fasteners manufacturer ZAGO Manufacturing Co. has been recognized by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) and MEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership) as one of its Heroes of American Manufacturing.

ZAGO Manufacturing “is an award-winning, family-owned business that began at the New Jersey Institute of Technology Enterprise Development Center small business incubator,” stated NIST. “Now, it’s a full-fledged global manufacturing company operating from a 100-year-old refurbished factory in the heart of Newark, New Jersey.

“ZAGO produces small components that make a big impact. It is one of the world’s largest and most respected producers of custom, high-tech, clean and inherently green sealing solutions and components. Thousands of engineers and onsite equipment manufacturers rely on ZAGO self-sealing fasteners and switch boots. Sustainable sealing solutions and components are used in countless industries, including aerospace, automotive and transportation, commercial LED lighting, medicine, robotics and drones, energy and electronics.

“Clients… include major military contractors, Apple, Google, Ferrari, BOSE, Lockheed Martin, HP and others.

“ZAGO has also been recognized by the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey for its work advancing STEM education and manufacturing to students in low-income communities with the Companies that Care Award.”

“We are honored to be recognized by NIST MEP as an example of American manufacturing at its best,” said Harvey Rottenstrich, ZAGO co-founder, president & lead engineer.

ZAGO sealing fasteners are reusable and pollutant-free. They’re engineered with a 360° rubber O-ring technology which prevents contaminants from leaking into or out of equipment and potentially damaging the environment. ZAGO operates from a 100-year-old refurbished factory in Newark, has implemented lean manufacturing processes, and installed a 50KW solar panel array on its rooftop.

“What makes our company unique is that we are a sustainable company creating a product that makes other companies more sustainable,” stated Gail Friedberg Rottenstrich, co-founder and CEO of ZAGO, a woman-owned business.

ZAGO invests in its community and workforce through education and professional development to recruit, nurture, and retain top tier talent. The company practices continuous improvement, incorporating automated production on the factory floor. Prioritizing diversity, education, and professional development, ZAGO created ZAGO Sustainability 360°, which offers scholarships, internships, apprenticeships, and professional development. The company pays 100% tuition to employees wishing to pursue advanced degrees.

“It’s not just making the fasteners, that’s one part of what we do here,” stated ZAGO VP Jackie Luciano. “The bigger part of that is the people, nurturing the people, educating the people, and making sure that they have a future.”

“ZAGO goes above and beyond and is willing to invest in its workforce. Whether it is a training program for a new hire or investing in employees who are working with them already, ZAGO encourages them to continue forward with their career path,” Michael Womack, Marketing and Communications Manager, NJMEP.

The Heroes of American Manufacturing video series created by NIST celebrates small and medium-sized manufacturers succeeding in the US with the help of their local MEP Centers.

The series spotlights happening in plants across the country, the leaders and workers who are making things that improve our daily life, and the jobs and contributions these manufacturers provide their communities and the nation’s economy.

Watch ZAGO’s Heroes of American Manufacturing video at https://zago.com/media/heroes-american-manufacturing/.