AKEBONO REPORT 2011

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6 AKEBONO REPORT 2011 Akebono Brake Industry Co. Ltd.Third Phase of TransitionFounded in 1929 akebono entered the global marketthrough its brake business and during its more than 80years of history has passed some significant milestoneson the road to growth.The first phase of transition was a technologicalalliance with Bendix Corporation a U.S.-based worldclassbrake manufacturer in 1960 at a time whenJapan was just approaching the dawn of motorization.Upon entering into the alliance contract akebono proactivelyadopted technologies from overseas manufacturersto gain a good foothold and become acomprehensive brake manufacturer.The second phase of transition was the establishmentof a joint venture Ambrake Corporation (nowAkebono Brake Elizabethtown Plant; Elizabethtown Kentucky United States) with General MotorsCorporation in 1986. At that time Japanese automotivemanufacturers were beginning to pursue overseas production and it became a pressing issue for akebono tomake it possible to offer components even to overseaslocations. When it embarked on its first full-fledged overseasbusiness development akebono did not limit itselfto only the technical side of business the Company alsotook charge of management.The third phase of transition was in 2009 whenakebono acquired the North American foundation brakebusiness of Robert Bosch GmbH of Germany. On thisoccasion akebono faced the question of how it shouldpursue true globalization. True globalization for akebonomeans that its associates with all their differences innationality language educational background religion customs and sense of value respect those differencesand recognize the innate goodness within one other andthereby realize a company that is unique the one andonly akebono meeting the needs of customers aroundthe world.Now in the course of the third phase of transitiontowards true globalization akebono associates areaddressing issues and moving forward proactively ineach operating department.Welcoming a Third Phase of Transition akebono Aims for True GlobalizationSpecial FeatureCelebrating the technological alliance with Bendix Corporation (1960)Groundbreaking ceremony for Ambrake Corporation plant (1986)Signing ceremony for the Asset Purchase Agreement forRobert Bosch GmbH’s North American business (2009)

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