Farmington Hills, September 25, 2025

News Summary

Akebono Brake Corporation plans to lay off at least 48 employees at its Farmington Hills engineering center, beginning October 1, 2025. The layoffs, affecting various engineering and managerial roles, are attributed to a decline in business performance. Additionally, five employees will be laid off in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Akebono’s long history of innovation is now challenged by market shifts and increasing demand for electric vehicles.

Farmington Hills, Michigan Sees Major Layoffs from Akebono Brake Corporation

Akebono Brake Corporation has announced plans to permanently lay off at least 48 employees at its Akebono Engineering Center located along 12 Mile Road in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The layoffs will begin on October 1, 2025 and will continue through December 1, 2025.

In addition to the Farmington Hills layoffs, another five employees will be affected at Akebono’s facility in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The job cuts will primarily impact positions in engineering, lab techs, analysts, designers, and program managers.

According to the company, none of the affected employees in Farmington Hills are represented by a union, and there are no bumping rights available for them. The workforce reduction has been attributed to a decline in Akebono’s U.S. business and is expected to be permanent.

Founded over 90 years ago, Akebono Brake Corporation is a Japanese company based in Tokyo, Japan. Its U.S. headquarters and research development center are located in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Akebono is known for manufacturing advanced brake pads and is equipped with over 100 chassis dynamometers, making it one of the most technologically advanced brake suppliers in the industry. Currently, the company employs approximately 5,321 people globally.

Akebono’s primary original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers include notable Japanese automakers such as Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi, and Isuzu, alongside global manufacturers like Porsche, GM, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz. The layoffs were initiated following a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice filed with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, which classifies the layoffs as a “mass layoff.” While the total number of employees at the Farmington Hills facility has not been specified, the WARN notice underscores the scale of the workforce reduction.

Despite strong new vehicle sales in the United States this year, which have had a positive impact on many automotive companies, Akebono’s U.S. business performance has suffered. This downturn in performance comes as sales of electric vehicles have surged, particularly as the expiration of a federal tax credit for EV purchases approaches on September 30, 2025.

As of now, attempts to gather more detailed information regarding the layoffs from a company contact went unanswered.

Background on Akebono Brake Corporation

Akebono Brake Corporation has a rich history dating back over 90 years and is a significant player in the brake manufacturing industry. The company’s reputation is built on its innovation and advanced manufacturing techniques, notably in the production of brake pads, which are used by a variety of automotive brands around the world. The impact of the recent layoffs reflects broader challenges within the automotive sector, including shifts in consumer demand and emerging technologies like electric vehicles.

Key Aspects of the Layoff Announcement

• Location: Akebono Engineering Center, Farmington Hills, Michigan
• Number of Employees Laid Off: 48 (Farmington Hills), 5 (Elizabethtown, Kentucky)
• Start and End Dates of Layoffs: October 1, 2025 – December 1, 2025
• Positions Affected: Engineering, lab techs, analysts, designers, and program managers
• Union Representation: None
• Company Foundation Year: Over 90 years ago
• Global Workforce: Approximately 5,321 employees
• Recent Industry Context: Decline in U.S. business despite strong vehicle sales and rising demand for electric vehicles

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Additional Resources

• Free Press: Akebono Brake Corporation Announces Mass Layoff
• Patch: Metro Detroit Auto Part Maker Announces Mass Layoff
• CBS News: Akebono Brake Corporation to Lay Off 48 Employees
• ClickOnDetroit: Brake Manufacturer to Lay Off 48 Employees
• MLive: Akebono Brake Corp to Cut 48 Jobs in Farmington Hills
• Wikipedia: Akebono Brake Corporation
• Google Search: Akebono Brake Corporation layoffs
• Google Scholar: Akebono Brake Corporation
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Akebono Brake Corporation
• Google News: Akebono Brake Corporation

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