AKEBONO REPORT 2012
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AKEBONO REPORT 2012 Akebono Brake Industry Co. Ltd. 49Akebono undertakes the development of friction materials for usein a wide range of vehicles from passenger cars to SUVs to pickuptrucks. These materials have exceptional NVH (noise vibration andharshness) characteristics and their level of environment-friendlinessmore than meets the abovementioned regulations.We also develop brake mechanisms for a wide range of vehiclesfrom passenger cars to SUVs to pickup trucks and are proactivelyengaged in the mass production of lightweight aluminum alloy discbrakes. Furthermore we mass produce rotors and drums for variousvehicle types and develop lightweight products with excellent performancewith regard to noise and vibration using brake modules.EuropeIn our European operations we are developing friction materialswhich reduce judder and realize greater performance in high-speedrunning to meet unique performance demands. Also we are givingfull consideration to vibration characteristics and noise reduction aswell as the chemical substances in materials to ensure that productsmeet regional environmental regulations such as REACH(Registration Evaluation Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) which may be stricter than those of the other regions. Our R&D activitiesin Europe aim to respond to a wide range of customer needs from friction materials designed to meet the above regulations forthe European market to friction materials intended for auto exportsto the Japanese and U.S. markets from the European market. Ofcourse our customers are not limited to Japanese affiliated companies;we are developing producing and supplying friction materialsfor a wide range of customers in the European market.To reinforce our cost competitiveness in Europe we are standardizingour materials procurement by purchasing from local marketswhile introducing a European-style manufacturing process. In additionto our existing development location in France we have establishedlocal agencies in Germany and the U.K.ChinaHaving established the development center in China in 2011 wehave been promoting the development and design of products thatreflect the needs of local customers. By accelerating the local procurementof materials and parts and adopting production methodsthat are best suited to the local environment we are developing frictionmaterials with levels of cost competitiveness and performancecharacteristics that make them suitable for the markets of emergingcountries. As for brake mechanism parts we are surveying and analyzinglocal customer’ requirements to determine product featuresas well as the ways in which they use our products. By doing so weare developing and proposing products that have the required featuresand performance at a lower cost.“Friction and Vibration their Control and Analysis ” is not merelyakebono’s Corporate Mission it refers to the basis of the Company’score technologies. Akebono constantly leverages its competencies todevelop new friction materials and next-generation brakes that makepossible an array of brake-related products for automobiles and othermeans of transportation. Stepping up its focus on basic technologiesand deepening the analysis essential to product development Akebono is augmenting its R&D investment and R&D structure.In addition further deepening its knowledge about noise andvibration Akebono aims to reinforce its lineup of standardized brakesand to establish environment-friendly technologies for more lightweightand electro-mechanical brakes as well as technologies thatmeet diverse needs associated with products used in high-performancevehicles and low-cost vehicles. By taking advantage of the distinctivecharacteristics of facilities in Japan North America Europeand China and abiding by the three tenets of environment friendliness higher performance and lower cost as we carry out productdevelopment we aim to secure critical technology as we move forwardin pursuit of next-generation products that are highly competitiveon a global level.Details of R&D activities in each region are as follows.JapanAkebono is progressing in its efforts to develop high-performance low-cost friction materials for brakes responsive to both market andcustomer needs. In its endeavors to develop high-quality products Akebono focuses on high-performance cost-competitive brake padsfor passenger cars using environment-friendly safe materials thatrealize excellent performance with regard to noise and vibration andthat minimize wheel dust which has become a concern in recent years.At the same time we are taking steps to reduce costs through theuse of both new materials and improved manufacturing processes while we work to enhance product performance with due considerationgiven to environmental concerns.In the development of disc and drum brake mechanisms we applyour efforts to improving performance and lowering costs. As a result our opposed-type disc brakes which employ an aluminum alloy developedfor high-performance cars won solid reputation among customers.Moreover we are thoroughly implementing measures to ensurethe commonization and standardization of parts and otherwise workingto boost our cost competitiveness. When we find new technologiesthrough the abovementioned measures those technologies areallocated to the development of new differentiated products.In the development of environment-friendly products we are strivingto raise fuel efficiency through innovative weight and drag reductions.We are also developing brakes that apply next-generation technologies including an electro-mechanical brake equipped with a smallmotor that controls braking force electrically through a wire and electricparking brakes with an electro-mechanical actuator. We will continueto work to meet stringent technical and cost benchmarks toreinforce our global supply system and promote technological developmentaimed at devising built-to-purpose products.At Akebono Research & Development Centre Ltd. which is at theforefront of the Akebono Groups’ R&D progress into the future weare conducting research on the following themes: creating originallow-environmental load materials for friction material and other applications;achieving Zero-emissions; developing a surface finishingtechnology that reduces volatile organic compounds (VOCs); developinga new adhesion technology; developing friction materials made ofceramics with the aim of realizing stable high-friction coefficients;and developing a visualization of the structure of friction materials.Through the abovementioned research we are striving to establishstand-alone technologies that realize next-generation brakes and frictionmaterials aiming to differentiate ourselves from competitors.North AmericaBased on the domestic and global needs of U.S.-based automotivemanufacturers Akebono is working to develop new friction materialsand next-generation foundation brakes that conform to the environmentalregulations enacted by several state governments includingWashington State. We support Japanese automotive manufacturersas well with completely local operations from development to massproduction.Fiscal 2011 R&D by Region(Billions of yen)2008 2009 2010 2011 2012Total R&D-Related Expenditures*Years Ended March 318.99.20481210.89.98.2* The above figures include R&D costs and other R&D-relatedexpenditures incurred as part of regular improvements.Special Feature Social Repor t Environmental Repor t Economic Report Reference Materials

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