Elizabethtown, Kentucky, October 10, 2025
News Summary
Akebono Brake Corporation has announced the closure of its Elizabethtown plant, affecting 450 employees starting December 5. The decision follows a decline in U.S. business, with plans for assistance for displaced workers. After 35 years in Hardin County, this closure is part of the company’s strategy to streamline operations in North America.
Elizabethtown, Kentucky – Akebono Brake Corporation, a renowned Japanese manufacturer of car brakes, has announced the impending closure of its Elizabethtown plant, which will lead to the layoff of 450 employees. This closure is set to initiate permanent workforce reductions starting December 5, 2023, and will continue through the end of the year until the facility officially shuts down. The decision to close the plant is linked to a significant decline in the company’s U.S. business operations.
In a letter informing employees, Plant Manager Chris Cooper outlined the layoffs in compliance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. The affected workforce primarily consists of production associates and production group leaders. Notably, these employees do not have union representation, which affects their options, including the absence of bumping rights during layoffs.
Akebono has maintained operations in Hardin County for 35 years, strategically located about 90 minutes west of Lexington, Kentucky. CEO Yasuhiro Miyaji emphasized the necessity of reducing U.S. operations, a strategy that has previously seen the company adopt a plan in 2019 to transition to a single manufacturing site in the U.S. This decision led to the closure of plants in both Tennessee and South Carolina earlier that same year. Currently, Akebono also operates a brake production facility in Glasgow, Kentucky.
The phased closure of the Elizabethtown plant is expected to provide displaced employees and the surrounding community with assistance in finding new employment opportunities or pursuing retraining efforts. While specific figures on peak production employment at the Elizabethtown facility are not available, Akebono reports around 5,350 employees globally.
Prior to this announcement, Akebono had already laid off more than 50 employees from its engineering center in Michigan, indicating a trend of similar job cuts affecting engineering roles within the company. The Elizabethtown plant is located at 300 Ring Road, an area under the spotlight due to ongoing projects such as the BlueOval SK facility dedicated to electric vehicle battery construction.
In a broader context, Akebono’s closure comes amidst a decline in sales and production, which had affected key customers including major automotive manufacturers such as Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi, Ford, and General Motors. In 2023, Kentucky’s motor vehicles and parts emerged as the state’s leading export products, generating approximately $5.4 billion in sales.
The Elizabethtown facility’s closure aligns with Akebono’s strategy of streamlining operations in North America, a move that has been a part of various business turnaround plans communicated by the company. Akebono also plans to assess the financial impact of the closure and intends to release further financial details as they become available.
Frequently Asked Questions About Akebono Brake Corporation’s Elizabethtown Plant Closure
- Why is Akebono closing its Elizabethtown plant?
- The closure is due to a decline in Akebono’s U.S. business, leading to the layoff of 450 employees.
- When will the layoffs begin?
- Permanent workforce reductions will start on December 5, 2023, and will continue until the plant closes by the end of the year.
- How long has Akebono operated in Hardin County?
- Akebono has been operating in Hardin County for 35 years.
- Are the layoffs unionized?
- No, most affected employees are not union members and do not have bumping rights.
- What assistance will be provided to laid-off employees?
- Community assistance will be available for displaced workers to help with job placement and retraining efforts.
- What is Akebono’s global employee count?
- Akebono employs approximately 5,350 people worldwide.
Summary of Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Closure Announcement | Akebono Brake Corp. to close Elizabethtown plant |
| Impact | Layoff of 450 employees |
| Closure Timeline | Starts December 5, 2023, continuing through end of year |
| Reason for Closure | Decline in U.S. business |
| Community Assistance | Support for displaced workers in job search and retraining |
| Global Workforce | Approximately 5,350 employees worldwide |
| Other Locations | Also operates in Glasgow, Kentucky |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Detroit Free Press: Akebono Brake Files Mass Layoff
- Wikipedia: Akebono Brake Industry
- CBS News: Akebono Brake Corporation Layoffs
- Google Search: Akebono Brake Industry
- WDRB: Akebono Brake Plant Closure
- Google Scholar: Akebono Brake
- The Brake Report: Akebono Brake Plant Closure in Kentucky
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Akebono Brake Industry
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