Japan-based Akebono Brake Corporation, a provider of advanced noise, vibration and harshness and braking solutions to automotive industry, is investing $82 million on expansion of its Clarksville, Tenn. manufacturing plant, adding 94 jobs to its workforce of over 500 employees.

Tammy Francesckina, Clarksville Plant Manager said; “This investment allows us to improve our manufacturing processes, increase our depth of manufacturing, and offer our customers a more diversified product portfolio. The planned expansion will certainly have a positive impact for both our customers and our community.“

This will be the second expansion for Akebono in Clarksville-Montgomery County. The plant, which is located inside the Corporate Business Park, has been in production since 1989. The newest expansion will take place in two phases, spanning across 2013 and into the second quarter of 2014. It includes construction of an on-site warehouse and installation of specialized furnaces during phase one and the addition of new equipment and machines in phase two. Upon completion of this expansion, Akebono will be capable of caliper machining, plating and assembly, a process it has not been able to do at its Clarksville facility in the past.

“I am honored to be working with Akebono on their upcoming expansion and assisting with their growth in our community,” said Kay Drew, Chairman of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Industrial Development Board. “This announcement is another example of the positive results we gain from having our Economic Development Council, Industrial Board and Aspire Foundation working closely with our City and County leadership to not only recruit new jobs for our community but also to support the growth of our current corporate partners.”

“This announcement means the creation of good paying jobs for the people of Clarksville-Montgomery County, and we want to thank the State ECD and TVA for their participation in facilitating this expansion, ” said Mike Evans, Executive Director of the Industrial Development Board. “This will have a long term positive effect on not only the Corporate Business Park, but the community as well.”