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Akebono Brake Corporation Moves Aftermarket Disc Pad Manufacturing to their Akebono Plant in Glasgow, KY

Elizabethtown, KY, February 19, 2008

Akebono Brake Corporation (ABC) announced today they will expand their Glasgow, KY world class OEM pad manufacturing capabilities to include Aftermarket disc pad manufacturing by 2009. In an unprecedented move, when Akebono’s competitors are closing US plants in favor of low cost, offshore manufacturing, “Akebono is demonstrating their unwavering commitment to our customers and product quality by combining the capabilities of our two world class manufacturing sites in Springfield, KY, and Glasgow, KY, into a single disc pad manufacturing Powerhouse” said Go Kashiwagi, ABC’s Chief Executive Officer.

Kashiwagi added that “Akebono Brake Corporation will continuously implement manufacturing enhancements worldwide at all Akebono facilities to strengthen the corporation and to create a foundation for continued growth and excellence.”

The immediate benefits to Akebono’s customers will be:

• Akebono’s Glasgow manufacturing facility is Akebono’s lead US friction manufacturing facility which continues to receive numerous OE awards of excellence which will directly benefit their AM operations
• Akebono will continue to deliver OEM-validated quality and performance to their “Best in Class” Aftermarket disc pad programs
• Akebono will produce the only Aftermarket disc pad line manufactured exclusively in the US, at an OEM facility
• Akebono enhancements will be seamless to ensure our AM customers satisfaction and success

Laura Sullivan
Akebono North America
270.234.5543
lsullivan@akebono-usa.com