Zalau is one of the most important economic centres in this part of the country. A VIIIth century chronicle mentions for the first time the trades of its citizens: strap makers, potters, wheelwrights, shoemakers, tailors, blacksmiths, carpenters, hat makers and not at least armourers. After the annexation of Transilvania to the Habsburgic Empire, the town suffered and economic decline ( on the background of a surplus of western products and of a lack of local ones).
The industrial process was felt during the 20th century. In this period the exploitation of red stone from the Meses Summit began, two steam mills were founded well as a brick factory.
Electricity was introduced also in the beginning of the 20th century.
After 1918 the economy followed an ascendant trend, having a large scale of industrial branches: metallurgy, mechanical engineering, wood processing, rubber processing, food industry, textile industry.
After the Second World War the nationalization led to the loss of the private property, the town suffering a process of forced industrialization.
The years after 1989 marked the beginning of a healthy economic evolution with the apparition of more private companies).