Sign up for our weekly email to stay on top of the latest news and insights!
Akebono Brake Corporation has announced a significant and permanent workforce reduction impacting its facilities in Michigan and Kentucky. The company filed a notice in accordance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, signaling that the upcoming layoffs are a result of a decline in its U.S. business operations.
Key Highlights
- A total of 48 employees will be permanently laid off at the Akebono Engineering Center in Farmington Hills, Michigan.
- An additional 5 employees will be laid off at the Akebono Brake plant in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.
- The layoffs are caused by a decline in Akebono’s U.S. Business.
- The workforce reduction will occur in two phases, beginning on October 1, 2025, and concluding on December 1, 2025.
- Affected employees are not represented by a union, and no bumping rights exist.
Details of the Workforce Reduction
Akebono Brake Corporation is set to permanently lay off a total of 53 employees across two of its U.S. locations. The primary impact will be at the Akebono Engineering Center, located at 34385 West Twelve Mile Road in Farmington Hills, Michigan, where 48 employees will be affected. The company’s notice also confirmed that approximately five additional employees at the Elizabethtown, Kentucky, plant will be part of this workforce reduction. According to the official filing, these permanent layoffs are a direct consequence of a decline in the company’s business in the United States.
Layoff Timeline and Affected Roles
The company has outlined a clear timeline for the reduction, which will be executed in two main phases. The first wave of layoffs is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2025. The second and final phase of the layoffs is expected to take place on December 1, 2025.
The WARN notice included a detailed list of the job titles being eliminated at the Farmington Hills facility. The positions span a wide range of departments and seniority levels. Roles affected in the first phase include Account Manager, Chief Engineer, Commodity Manager, various Engineer positions, Program Manager, and Director of Program Management. The second phase will impact additional roles such as Designer, Director of Engineering, Lab Technicians, and the VP of Engineering.
Compliance and Employee Status
Akebono Brake Corporation issued the announcement to comply with the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. This act requires employers to provide advance notice of significant layoffs to affected employees and government officials. The notice confirms that no union represents the affected employees at the Farmington Hills location. Furthermore, the company stated that no bumping rights exist for the employees being laid off, meaning they cannot displace junior employees to retain a position.
Subscribe to The BRAKE Report. Get the Handbook free.
