Automotive brake components and friction materials for OEMs and aftermarket
Akebono manufactures brake friction materials, disc brake calipers, and drum brakes for global automotive OEMs and the aftermarket. The tech stack—QAD (ERP), Alfresco (document management), Power BI, Minitab, and EDI—reflects a manufacturing-heavy operation focused on quality control and process compliance rather than digital-first innovation. Current hiring is concentrated in manufacturing and logistics roles, with active projects centered on PPAP streamlining, lean manufacturing, and quality KPI tracking, indicating operational tightening around yield and documentation rather than expansion into new product lines.
Akebono is a privately held automotive supplier founded in 1929, headquartered in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, with approximately 1,001–5,000 employees globally (8,279 worldwide, per LinkedIn). The company produces brake friction materials and foundation brake assemblies—disc brake calipers, drum brakes, and related components—sold to major OEMs (Audi, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen) and the automotive aftermarket. Manufacturing spans 30 facilities across the United States, Japan, France, and other locations. All operations maintain QS9000 and ISO14001 certifications. The Akebono Production System (APS) is the company's quality framework, targeting near-zero defects per million parts. R&D centers operate in the United States, Japan, and France.
QAD (ERP), Alfresco (document management), Power BI (analytics), Minitab (quality/statistics), EDI (supplier connectivity), and Microsoft Office suite. Stack emphasizes manufacturing operations, quality control, and compliance documentation.
30 facilities worldwide, including four dedicated production plants in Kentucky, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Additional manufacturing and R&D centers in Japan and France.
Other companies in the same industry, closest in size