Initiatives in Production
Initiatives to Reduce CO2 Emissions
The Akebono Brake Group has been promoting an energy and CO2 reduction project since fiscal 2007, implementing production process improvements that contribute to reducing CO2 emissions, as well as carrying out energy-saving activities at all sites.
Since 2021, monthly activity review and progress-sharing meetings have been held on the production floor at each manufacturing site, with the participation of production division managers and members of related departments. During these meetings, the status of energy-saving and CO2 emissions reduction initiatives is shared and reviewed, helping to promote efficient and coordinated efforts across the entire Group.
The Akebono Brake Group's CO2 emission volume worldwide in fiscal 2025 decreased by approximately 5,000 tons from the previous fiscal year to a total of 145,000 tons-CO2 due to consolidation of production processes and reduction activities of standby power.
In fiscal 2025, Yamagata Manufacturing procured electricity generated from solar power through an off-site Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), reducing its annual CO2 emissions by 344 tons.
Akebono will continue its efforts to reduce CO2 emissions in the coming fiscal years.
Total CO2 Emission and CO2 Emissions per Sales (Akebono Brake Group Worldwide)
Water Usage and Water Usage per Sales (Akebono Brake Group Worldwide)
Waste Generated in Fiscal 2025 (major operations in Japan)
Fiscal 2025 Volume of Waste Generated and Recycling Ratio (major operations in Japan)
Change in Total Volume of Waste Generated and Total Volume Generated per Sales (major operations in Japan)
- * Total volume of waste generated includes resources of value, such as metals.
SQDCE*1 Improvement Activities and Fundamental Strengthening Activities
Since fiscal 2019, we have been engaged in "SQDC activities," focusing on ensuring safety and quality while striving to meet delivery deadlines and reduce costs. Starting in fiscal 2022, we added "E: Environment" to these activities, renaming them as "SQDCE Improvement Activities," and have been putting more effort into environmental initiatives such as SDGs and carbon neutrality. Based on the "5-Gen*2 attitude, monthly follow-up meetings are held at each plant in Japan as one of the activities related to C, "Cost," and improvements are promoted focusing on issues from the production floor.
In the follow-up meetings, people from other divisions also participate to share their issues of Gemba and cooperate with each other to solve problems that cannot be solved by the Manufacturing Division alone, leading to company-wide improvement activities.
Furthermore, since FY2025, we have been advancing Fundamental Strengthening Activities across its manufacturing operations as part of rebuilding its production foundation and enhancing on-site capabilities. Beginning with 5S*3 activities and involving the participation of all employees, we are committed to thoroughly implementing what must be done and strictly adhering to what must be followed. Through these efforts, we are creating a safe, efficient, and employee-friendly workplace while fostering a Gemba-first safety culture and work environment.
*1 SQDCE ... S: Safety, Q: Quality, D: Delivery, C: Cost, E: Environment
*2 5-Gen ... Genchi, Genbutsu, Gennin, Genri, Gensoku: Go to the actual place, see the actual things and confirm the actual facts. Then take action based on fundamental theory according to decided principles.
*3 5S: Seiri: Sort (into necessary and unnecessary); Seiton: Set in Order (what is necessary); Seisō: Sweep and Shine (keeping the jobsite clean and spotless); Seiketsu: Spick-and-Span (an orderly jobsite resulting from the first 3S); Shitsuke: Sustain (discipline in adhering to the 4S)
Introduction and Enhancement of Wastewater Treatment Systems
The Akebono Brake Group has introduced and enhanced wastewater treatment systems and is promoting environment-friendly production activities.
In fiscal 2020, Akebono Corporation (Guangzhou) achieved certification by the Environmental Impact Assessment Agency (EIA) after meeting strict effluent standards with the introduction of a new wastewater discharge station.
Furthermore, we are striving to further strengthen environmental management efforts by introducing online water quality monitoring system in fiscal 2021.
In fiscal 2020, Akebono Corporation (Suzhou) introduced automatic water quality measuring equipment and an online wastewater measurement system to strengthen wastewater treatment management.
Furthermore, in fiscal 2021, we installed wastewater vacuum evaporation and drying equipment and modified the water quality control tank, implementing management based on voluntary standards that exceed legal requirements.
Establishment of production lines that take sustainability into consideration for manpower, machines and materials
The Production Engineering Department advances the design and development of production equipment, tooling, and fixtures based on the following three principles:
- Reduction of environmental impact through energy conservation
- Enhancement of material yield
- Design for reuse and resource efficiency
Key Initiatives
1. Manpower savings through automation
We are focusing on promoting automation of production lines. In addition to anticipating a future shortage of human resources, we are contributing to the reduction of energy consumption for lighting, air conditioning, etc. through manpower reduction.
2. High-yield production line design
We are working to improve material yields in machining and casting processes through the use of CAE. We are also working to reduce energy consumption by establishing lines with high operational availability that do not produce non-conforming products.
Most recently, we have been focusing on production lines that achieve energy savings and reductions in CO2 emissions by consolidating processes.
3. Other steady activities
- Reducing energy consumption through the electrification of actuators, adoption of high-efficiency equipment, and the use of highly insulated materials
- Replacing tasks such as carrying, lifting, and moving heavy objects with robots or automated equipment wherever possible to reduce the workload on operators
