The Spark of Innovation: Zippo Manufacturing

The company behind the Zippo lighter has accomplished the near impossible — it has grown and adapted to today's fickle market while remaining a steadfast American icon.

USCC
Jun 5, 2014

They roll off the assembly belt like little bars of burnished gold. The Zippo windproof lighter has remained virtually unchanged over the last 77 years. But the company behind the Zippo lighter has accomplished the near impossible — the company has grown and adapted to today's fickle market while remaining a steadfast American icon.

Latest in Home
9704
Regional Manufacturing: The Future of a Resilient Industry
September 16, 2025
A sign marks the entrance of the Boar's Head processing plant in Jarratt, Va., on Thursday Aug. 29, 2024.
Congress Asks Whether Boar's Head Deli Meat Plant Tied to Deadly Outbreak Will Be Fit to Reopen
September 16, 2025
A Tesla model Y and other Telsla vehicles sit at a dealership, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Kennesaw, Ga.
NHTSA Investigating Tesla Door Handles That Could Trap Passengers
September 16, 2025
A worker holds a sign reading 'investing instead of saving' during a nationwide warning strike of the union IG Metal at the car maker FORD factory in Cologne, Germany, Germany, Oct. 29, 2024.
Ford to Cut Up to 1,000 Jobs at German Plant as EV Demand Lags
September 16, 2025
Related Stories
Mnet 125465 Chemplantexplosion
Safety
Tennessee Fines Chemical Plant $25,000 In Hydrogen Explosion
More
9704
Operations
Regional Manufacturing: The Future of a Resilient Industry
Regional manufacturing can be competitive secret weapon to break free from global supply chains.
September 16, 2025
A sign marks the entrance of the Boar's Head processing plant in Jarratt, Va., on Thursday Aug. 29, 2024.
Safety
Congress Asks Whether Boar's Head Deli Meat Plant Tied to Deadly Outbreak Will Be Fit to Reopen
A deadly outbreak exposed shocking food safety failures at the major deli meat manufacturer.
September 16, 2025
A Tesla model Y and other Telsla vehicles sit at a dealership, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Kennesaw, Ga.
Automotive
NHTSA Investigating Tesla Door Handles That Could Trap Passengers
The agency received nine reports of people being unable to open the doors.
September 16, 2025
A worker holds a sign reading 'investing instead of saving' during a nationwide warning strike of the union IG Metal at the car maker FORD factory in Cologne, Germany, Germany, Oct. 29, 2024.
Automotive
Ford to Cut Up to 1,000 Jobs at German Plant as EV Demand Lags
The factory will move to one shift per day instead of two.
September 16, 2025
A long line of unsold 2024 R1S electric utility vehicles sits at a Rivian service center Nov. 26, 2024, in east Denver.
Automotive
It's 'Do or Die' for EV Maker Rivian
The company just started long-delayed work on a $5 billion facility in Georgia.
September 16, 2025
Manufacturing
Supply Chain
U.S. Among Top 3 Markets Manufacturers Are Leaving
Nearly 54% of U.S. organizations report substantial revenue declines in the last year.
September 16, 2025
The current Ford World Headquarters is seen, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in Dearborn, Mich.
Automotive
Ford Moving World Headquarters for First Time in 70 Years
But the carmaker didn't move too far.
September 15, 2025
Ep423
Video
Former Employee at DVD Maker Gets Nearly 5 Years for Stealing 'Blockbuster Movies'
The most significant losses likely came when he stole a copy of "Spider-Man: No Way Home."
September 15, 2025
Tim236
Today in Manufacturing Podcast
Crown Royal Factory Fight; Hyundai Immigration Raid; Tyson Exec Ousted | Today in Manufacturing Ep. 236
Also on the podcast, ConocoPhillips to lay off thousands, Weaber catches fire in Pennsylvania, U.S. Steel closing plant in Illinois, JLR restart could take much longer and addressing critical problems with railroad bridges.
September 15, 2025
Lengths of glass move down a quality control line during a tour of Corning's iPhone glass manufacturing facility Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, in Harrodsburg, Ky.
Operations
Apple Deepens Ties to Kentucky Plant That Makes Cover Glass for iPhone, Apple Watch
The specialty glass maker says it plans to triple production capacity, increasing workforce by 50%.
September 15, 2025
Boeing
Aerospace
FAA Seeks $3.1M in Fines from Boeing Over Safety Violations, 2024 Midair Panel Blowout
The FAA identified hundreds of quality system violations at a factory in Washington.
September 15, 2025
Oklo
Energy
Oklo Picks Tennessee for $1.7B Advanced Fuel Center
The initial investment will support a facility that recovers material from used nuclear fuel.
September 12, 2025
The Boeing logo is displayed at the company's factory, Sept. 24, 2024, in Renton, Wash.
Labor
Boeing Workers Reject Offer, Extending Strike at 3 Plants
The 3,200 workers who build fighter jets are heading back to the picket lines.
September 12, 2025
Ep422
Video
Boeing Defense, St. Louis Machinists Union Reach Deal After Five-Week Strike
If approved, nearly 3,200 members will return to work.
September 12, 2025
I Stock 1434218403
Laws & Regulations
Former Exec of Mars Candy Subsidiary Pleads Guilty to Stealing $28 Million
He was once a respected sugar market expert for Mars Wrigley.
September 12, 2025