NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd was established in 1975 and is now located in purpose built premises in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. Within the company there are two main Divisions; NGK Spark Plugs responsible for spark plugs and related products, and NTK Technical Ceramics responsible for semi conductors, electronic components, ceramic cutting tools and fine ceramics. NGK has established a world-leading reputation for quality and innovation in all its product areas and is committed to maintaining this excellence.
The dramatic growth of NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd represents one of the greatest success stories in the UK automotive market over the past decade. Starting in the 1960s, initially to serve the motorcycle market, NGK entered the UK automotive market in the early 1970s. In 25 years it has advanced from a market share of under 6% to one of over 50% and increasing.
NGK has become the brand leader in the UK spark plug market and the number one choice of the professional
as a result of its quality, technical excellence and total commitment to Research and Development. This has led to major successes with vehicle manufacturers worldwide who are increasingly specifying bespoke plugs so as to achieve maximum efficiency from their new engines.
The NGK research and development work is based in the Technical Center at Ratingen, established in 1990. Since that time it has continuously been expanding and provides technical support to the European automotive manufacturers.
The NGK Technical Centre has a test facility covering an area of approx. 2,200 sqm into which approx. 15 million EUR have been invested. 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 -30C for analysing cold-start performance. It also has comprehensive equipment for carrying out full exhaust gas tests, and also tests for the examination of Lambda sensors regarding their long-term quality and reaction time.
Today, NGK supplies spark plugs to most vehicle manufacturers in Europe including BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Jaguar, Fiat and Renault as well as many Japanese manufacturers.
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