There is a saying that is a guiding principle for everyone at Akebono Brake Corporation in all their activities: "Through friction and vibration, their control and analysis, we are determined to focus on the creation of value from all associates and business partners through mutual respect, encouragement and support." This core philosophy is demonstrated with new product development that has no equal among their competition. Akebono devotes an amount of revenue to R&D that is higher than any other competitor. This philosophy is also carried over into Akebono's proprietary APS (Akebono Production System). Akebono has instituted a program of continuing improvement, documenting the processes at every step, so that they have been able to accomplish almost zero defective PPM, which ensures that their process is consistent in all parts of production. Akebono's employees are encouraged to protect the health of the people who manufacture and use their products, support the communities where they work and live, while also protecting the environment that we all live in; all of this being accomplished by observing the simple values of mutual respect, encouragement and support.

Akebono was founded in 1929 in Japan. At that time the Japanese auto industry had only produced 400 vehicles. Akebono has continued to grow since then and ventured into the domestic and overseas markets as brake experts. Akebono began their US brake sales operations in 1980, establishing Akebono Aftermarket Operations in Chicago, Illinois. Akebono began European operations in 1985 in France. In 1986 a joint venture manufacturing facility between Akebono and Delphi (AMBRAKE), was opened in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Akebono opened the North American Brake Systems Engineering Center in 1989 in Farmington Hills, Michigan; this is their R&D technical center. In 1994 an Akebono/Itochu joint venture manufacturing facility (AMAK Brake), was opened in Glasgow, Kentucky. Akebono opened a manufacturing/distribution center in Munfordville, Kentucky in 1995 and in 1998 Akebono Corporation North America was incorporated. In 1999 Akebono North American Aftermarket Division was started. Akebono opened a manufacturing facility (AMTEC), in Springfield, Kentucky in 2002. On August 31, 2006 AMBRAKE Corporation became a wholly-owned Akebono Manufacturing facility (it was still an Akebono/Delphi joint venture up until that time). In 2007, effective January 1, Akebono Corporation (North America), renamed all of its North American locations. In 2008 Akebono consolidated with AMAK Brake LLC. In 2009 Akebono purchased Robert Bosch North America foundation brake division. Akebono opened Akebono Brake plants in Clarksville, Tennessee and Columbia, South Carolina in 2010. Akebono brakes began with automobiles, but are used in many different industries today. Akebono is the premier company in the development of advanced braking solutions and brake noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), control and analysis, and works hard to supply their products to the world. They will not compromise or cut corners on safety and adhere to only the best business practices to accomplish these goals.