Carpenter said Akebono factory in Glasgow ‘is solid’ after plant closure in Elizabethtown

By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1

During the monthly Barren County Economic Authority, Maureen Carpenter, president and CEO, sought to calm people’s fears concerning the Akebono facility in Glasgow.

The Japanese automotive supplier Akebono recently announced the closure of its Elizabethtown facility effective by the end of 2025 with a document filed with the stock market regulator in Japan.

The facility, which opened in 1987, employs 629 people who make “disc brakes, drum brakes [and] high-performance brakes.”

According to the announcement, the closure is a step the company is making towards a “one-plant U.S. production system.” According to the Akebono website, with the Elizabethtown closure there are only three North American locations including the North American Head Office Research and Development Center in Farmington Hills, Michigan, the Glasgow facility at the corner of Ky. 1297 and Donnelley Drive, and another factory in Mexico.

Akebono closed plants in Clarksville, Tennessee, and Columbia, South Carolina, in 2020.

In an effort to hinder potential fears concerning its fate, Carpenter said she had spoken with Akebono who said the E-town product “was no longer profitable” coupled with workforce issues led to the closure decision. She said the E-town closure could make the local facility stronger.

“The Glasgow facility is not going to be impacted,” Carpenter said. “If anything it is a positive thing that Akebono will be in a better financial position so hopefully in the future that’ll mean bigger and better things for us. But any concerns that they’re going to close the facility in Glasgow are unfounded.”

She said the Glasgow factory has a good workforce having “very few positions open at a time” and a good product leading to “a very positive outlook.”

“The Glasgow facility is solid as of now,” Carpenter said.