About Akebono Brakes
With more than 85 years of brake design and production expertise, Akebono provides the world’s automotive industry with advanced braking and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) solutions.
The company’s commitment to innovation, process improvement, quality control and customer service has positioned it as a key resource for leading OEMs, Tier I brake suppliers and the automotive aftermarket. Key automotive OEM customers include Audi, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota, and Volkswagen.
Akebono manufactures a wide range of brake friction materials and foundation brake assemblies, including disc brake calipers and drum brakes, employing the Akebono Production System (APS). This business approach features proven quality control techniques to guarantee minimal process variation in all phases of production. Embraced throughout the organization, APS enables the company to consistently achieve nearly zero defects per million parts produced.
Akebono operates R&D technical centers in the United States, Japan and France, and manufactures brake friction materials and components in 30 wholly owned or affiliated facilities worldwide. This includes two production facilities in Kentucky, one in Tennessee and one in South Carolina. All of Akebono’s operations have secured appropriate ISO/TS16949 certifications, and the company has received a number of quality and performance awards from customers.
Akebono was established in Japan in 1929, at a time when the Japanese automobile industry had only produced 400 vehicles. Since then, keeping pace with the onset of motorization, Akebono has entered the domestic and overseas markets as brake experts. Worldwide, Akebono employs over 9,000 people worldwide, with over 3,500 in North America.
Browse our line of Ultra-Premium ceramic brake pads, engineered to meet the specifications of aftermarket consumers, and learn more about the advantages we deliver for original equipment manufacturers. We think you’ll agree that Akebono truly is the Essence of Braking®. Look for an Akebono dealer near you, and get the safety, reliability and performance that only a global leader in brake products can provide.