NGK Spark Plugs were produced in South Africa since 1950 under the company name of Lectrolite. These spark plugs were produced under license to NGK Spark Plugs Japan. NGK Spark Plugs SA, now owned by NGK Japan, still continues to produce a range of spark plugs for the OE market, P&A market and Aftermarket. NGK Spark Plugs SA also market and distribute NGK Glow Plugs and Resistor caps.

Environmental declaration

NGK Spark Plug Group will strive for harmony with society and the global environment while serving the people of the world, offering new value based on the principle of high quality throughout the entire life cycle of our environmentally friendly NGK spark plugs and NTK new ceramic products.

To achieve this, we have formulated an environmental action plan based on our environmental policy as a way of accepting our social role and responsibility as a trusted corporation. With the participation of everyone concerned, we will pursue the development of a sustainable society and business operations.

Management

We will abide by all laws, regulations, protocols and voluntary standards relating to environmental conservation. We also aim to increase our environmental efficiency by continually trying to enhance our environmental management system (EMS) and performance.

Factory/office

We will remain constantly aware of the need for environmental harmony, working to prevent air, earth and water pollution, use energy and resources more effectively, and reduce waste materials.

Products

We will work towards the development, design, procurement, manufacture, sale, distribution and disposal of environmentally friendly products.

Communication

We will promote communication with stakeholders through clear disclosure of information. We will also contribute not only to local communities but to the wider society through consideration for the natural environment as well as participation and support for environmental conservation activities.

Mind

We will strive to raise awareness of environmental conservation through environmental education and publicity activities as well as the dissemination of these policies among all our employees. We will also seek the understanding and cooperation of our business associates.

With major R&D centres in Japan and the USA, NGKs European research and development work is based at the Technical Centre in Ratingen, Germany. This facility, established in 1990, has continuously expanded to provide technical support to the European automotive manufacturers.

The NGK Technical Centre covers an area of approx. 2,200 square metres and cost approx. 15 million Euros. It has three modern engine test rigs for endurance and application tests, together with cold-climate chambers in which engine and chassis can be cooled down to -30 degrees Celsius for analysing cold-start performance. It also has comprehensive equipment for carrying out full exhaust gas emission tests.

Today, NGK has benefited from this investment in Europe by being the OE supplier of spark plugs and or glow plugs to most vehicle manufacturers in Europe including Audi / Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, Fiat, Renault, Peugeot and Vauxhall. With worldwide legislation demanding a reduction in exhaust emission levels, NGK has developed many technologies to combat these challenges. Through its NTK brand it has been increasingly involved in the development and manufacture of oxygen sensors which have a key role to play in exhaust gas after treatment. NGK Spark Plugs is now the world’s largest producer of these useful devices.

The NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd. corporate group has its corporate headquarters in Nagoya, Japan and currently has 36 subsidiaries around the globe.

Outside of the home country of Japan, NGK alone has eleven factories, four development centres and more than 20 sales offices which ensure that products of the NGK and NTK brands reach customers quickly and reliably.