Kevin Alder Named President and COO of Akebono Corporation

20 September 2000
Kevin Alder Named President and COO of Akebono Corporation
    FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Sept. 20 Kevin J. Alder has been
named president of Akebono Corporation, the North American subsidiary of
Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd. in Japan, it was announced today.  Farmington
Hills-based Akebono Corporation is a leading supplier of original equipment
brake components to U.S. automakers and replacement components to the
automotive aftermarket.
    Prior to joining Akebono, Mr. Alder was president and chief operating
officer of Cambridge Industries, Inc.  At Cambridge, Mr. Alder led the company
to an average 15 percent growth rate with development of a worldwide marketing
strategy and consolidation of manufacturing operations.  Prior to that, he was
vice president of Magna's Interior Trim Group.  During his tenure, the Magna
operation grew from $40 million to $300 million in sales of interior systems.
    Earlier in his career, Mr. Alder held executive positions at Textron
Automotive Company, Johnson Controls and John Deere.
    Commenting on his new position, Mr. Alder said: "I look forward to the
tremendous opportunity and growth potential that Akebono has to offer, and to
meeting the ambitious growth objectives set by the company.  Akebono has very
impressive manufacturing quality and advanced brake technology to offer the
industry and these two factors should make achieving our growth targets very
doable."
    Akebono is a leading supplier of foundation brakes and friction material
used by dozens of US, European and Japanese vehicle manufacturers including
Honda, Saturn, Mitsubishi, DaimlerChrysler, General Motors, Toyota, Nissan,
Audi, Volkswagen, Isuzu and Ford.
    Akebono Brake Industry's global sales exceed $1.0 billion.  The company is
headquartered in Japan and has a European office and manufacturing facility in
France, along with three plants in the U.S., all in Kentucky.  U.S.
aftermarket sales activity is handled from its operations in suburban Chicago,
Illinois.