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Apr 23, 2012

Akebono Holds Ground-Breaking Ceremony for Training Center

Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd. has held a ground-breaking ceremony for construction of its new Training Center, attended by about 40 guests including the head of the of Employment and Industry Division, as well as Saitama Prefectural officials and the Mayor of Hanyu City.

Ground-Breaking Ceremony

"Akebono purchased land in Hanyu 10 years after its establishment in 1929 to respond the sharp increase in demand, and started production there in 1940," said Nobumoto Hisataka, Chairman, President & CEO of Akebono Brake Industry.

"In 2001, our R&D, purchasing, manufacturing and sales divisions, which had been in scattered locations, were consolidated in 'Ai-City', Akebono's headquarters in Hanyu, to accelerate reorganization of the business. We will continue to pursue improvements here in Hanyu, which has always been, and will always remain the most important location for us."

He added that, "Akebono reached a third turning point in our history in 2010 by purchasing the North American brake business of Robert Bosch GmbH, which initiated our global business. Now, about 60% of both our net sales and our associates are from overseas locations. Moreover, new plants will be opened in Vietnam and Mexico. The new 'akebono Training Center (tentative)' will bring together associates from different countries while exercising our ingenuity to encourage exchange of language, culture and values."

Akebono's Ai-City Headquarters complex already houses a Monozukuri Center and an "ai-museum" brake history facility. Establishment of the new akebono Training Center will complete HR development functions, enabling Akebono to prepare globally capable associates and secure for the medium- to long-term a solid foundation for talent management and development.

 

Main features of the "akebono Training Center"

  • Flexible learning spaces that can be enlarged or reduced depending on program requirements
  • Presentation auditorium modeled on a university-style lecture theater
  • Dedicated language laboratories and study rooms
  • Lounge areas for enhanced communication and garden spaces for greenery
  • Accommodation for medium- and long-term-stay visitors
  • Kitchen facilities for cross-cultural exchanges through the experience of various cuisines, etc.
  • Library facilities to support self-study through e-learning and other means
  • Video conferencing functions to strengthen worldwide networking among global facilities

Environmental measures

  • Efforts to plant trees across the entire site with a greening attainment rate of 33%
  • Utilization of renewable energy technologies (solar power systems, solar water heating equipment, energy/cost savings through use of natural resources)
  • Promotion of wildlife diversification through on-site cultivation of local fauna and flora such as aldrovanda vesiculosa and fireflies

Business Continuity Plan

  • Earthquake proofing reinforced by 150% of Japanese standards
  • Emergency provisions and supplies available in the event of use as in emergency evacuations
  • Independent power generators to ensure emergency electricity supply

 

Facility outline

Facility name "akebono Training Center" (tentative)
Address 5-Chome Higashi, Hanyu-City, Saitama
Site area Approx. 9,500m2
Floor space Approx. 3,900m2
Construction Two story, steel frame building
Design Plantec Architects, Inc.
Contractor Kitano Construction Corp.
Start of construction May 2012 (tentative)
Completion December 2012 (tentative)
Total investment Approx. 1700 million JPY