COVINGTON, Ga. — Nisshinbo Automotive Manufacturing Inc. is celebrating 20 years in Newton County.

The Tokyo-based company makes original equipment manufacturer brake pads for all major car companies at its plant off Industrial Park Boulevard.

Nisshinbo plans to celebrate its two decades of local success with a number of events over the next year.

“We value our employees and our community and look forward to many more successful years in Newton County,” Kazuhiro Iwata, president and CEO of Nisshinbo Automotive Manufacturing Inc., said in a statement.

“Nisshinbo’s continual upgrade of our products reflects the company’s innovation and thoughtfulness of a serious product. Our success and longevity is due in part to the advanced capabilities and continuous improvement of our products and the commitment of our employees.”

Nisshinbo started as a textile company early in the 20th century but has expanded into many areas including its brake division. It has become recognized as the Largest Friction Material Supplier in the World.

The Nisshinbo Group began operations in the 1970s and has development, manufacturing, sales, service sites and staff in 24 countries. The company announced plans to come to Covington in March 1997.

Nisshinbo has 277 employees in Covington and has hired more than 65 co-op students from the Newton County area.

The company was the 2012 and 2013 Georgia Manufacturer of the Year, 2013 Nisen Quality Award and 2016 Nisen Quality and Delivery Award winner, 2014 Work-Based Learning Employer of the Year winner, 2015 Environmental Impact Award winner and 2016 Toyota Certificate of Achievement winner.