BRAKE & FRONT END GETS UP CLOSE LOOK AT AKEBONO'S KENTUCKY FACILITIES

摘要

In an area of the country better known for distilling bourbon, Akebono Brake Corporation is distilling its OE expertise into aftermarket disc brake pads. Kentucky currently is the home to all Akebono North American manufacturing facilities and its North American headquarters. BRAKE & FRONT END was given an exclusive tour of Akebono's Aftermarket brake pad plants. The Springfield, Ky., facility manufactures its own aftermarket lines and private-brand brake pad lines, plus brake pads and components for Original Equipment Service (OES). Unlike other automotive components and products, how a brake pad is manufactured is unique and proprietary to every top-tier brake manufacturer. The cost of the equipment and complex molds justify a premium price. The Akebono North American Aftermarket plant is no exception. Akebono uses the same proprietary equipment and manufacturing processes for both its OE and aftermarket offerings. The manufacturing process employed emphasizes high quality and consistency. Akebono claims the plant has a warranty rate of less than 7/10th (0.7) of one percent or 12 to 13 parts per million.