AKEBONO REPORT 2012

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AKEBONO REPORT 2012 Akebono Brake Industry Co. Ltd. 41Augmentation of R&D and Manufacturing Facilities for Eco-CarOriented BrakesWishing to augment its R&D and manufacturing facilities for eco-carbrake products Akebono decided to submit an application to theJapanese government for a “Grant for a Company PromotingEmployment by Low Carbon Type Industries” in November 2011.The grant was awarded particularly to support Akebono’s introductionof manufacturing facilities for the production of eco-carbrakes and related tools including molds and jigs as well as tosupport the set up of facilities for the development and evaluationof such brakes. With this decision we are aiming to fulfill ourresponsibility to society by introducing eco-friendly facilities in additionto developing our business by raising our competitiveness. Inlate December 2011 preparations for theintroduction havestarted.Outlines of New Facilities and Aims of IntroductionYamagataManufacturingFacilities Production facilities for eco-car brake padsAims Reduce CO2 emissions by installing energy efficientproduction facilitiesR&D DivisionFacilities Evaluation and testing facilities for eco-car orientedbrakesAimsAccelerate the development of eco-car brakesthrough the provision of testing facilities incorporatingfacilities for testing regenerative brake systemsIwatsukiManufacturingFacilities Assembly facilities for eco-car drum brakes anddisc brakesAims Reduce CO2 emissions by installing productionfacilities with greater energy saving capabilityPrize Given by the Director of the Kanto Regional Bureau of the EconomyIn fiscal 2011 Tadashi Yoshida of Technology Department Iwatsuki Manufacturingwas awarded a prize bythe director of theKanto Regional Bureauof the Economy. Theprize recognizedYoshida for his contributionas an energymanager made overthe years.Initiatives to Save Energy (2)TOPICSAward ceremony (February 21 2012)Rotating Summer ShiftsThe JAMA the JAPIA and the Confederation of Japan AutomobileWorkers Unions all of which Akebono is a member of decidedto implement rotating summer shifts in line with a request madeby the Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry to reduce energydemand 15% in the areas served by Tokyo Electric PowerCompany and Tohoku Electric Power Co. Inc. This decision wasmade to avoid blackouts and entailed cutting peak powerdemands in summer 2011.During the period from July 1 to September 30 2011 Akebono implemented the change in shifts at locationsnationwide.●An Engineer Speaks UpNew Facility Project ProductionEngineering DivisionToshihiro HoshiThe new facilities scheduled to beintroduced are aiming to achievea 50% increase in energy efficiency.As for the production of ecocarbrake pads we will be able tomaintain our existing productioncapabilities using only eight manufacturinglines fewer than our present plant which requires tenlines to manufacture one module. We also aim to increase outoutput speed to achieve maintain the production level.The first manufacturing line has been installed already havingbeen put in place in July 2012 at Yamagata Manufacturing.We are aiming to achieve a 95% in-house production ratio usingthe new facilities. The remaining lines will be installed in orderat Yamagata Manufacturing.Grant for a Company Promoting Employment by Low Carbon Type Industries: Agrant in the form of a subsidy that is awarded by the Ministry of Economy Tradeand Industry to businesses in environmental technology fields (including eco-cars lithium-ion batteries and LEDs) in which future growth and the generation ofemployment are expected. The grant particularly aims to support the establishmentof domestic plants for such businesses.Interview with TV Saitama regarding the new facilities (atIwatsuki Manufacturing January 16 2012)Project members confirming the design concept of facilities on the blueprintsFrom left: Kazuya Ayabe Kyohei Hashimoto Toshihiro Hoshi and Atsushi KodaSpecial Feature Social Repor t Environmental Repor t Economic Repor t Reference MaterialsNew Facilities to Achieve Greater CO2 ReductionsInitiatives at the Production Stage

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