Founded in 1936 as a candle manufacturer, NGK SPARK PLUG has successfully applied its experience in ceramics to other areas to create new areas. Today NGK SPARK PLUG is one of the world’s leading suppliers of automotive and technical ceramics.

On November 11, 1936, NGK SPARK PLUG Co., Ltd. with a start-up capital of one million yen was established in Nagoya, Japan. was founded, and only a year later, the young company has already begun to produce its first candles, and this was the cornerstone of future growth.

In 1949, the company’s NTK brand was created. In 1958, the company then began to develop ceramic cutting tools and accessories, which is still one of the most important areas of production.

In 1967, the company began developing ceramic modules for electrical devices in telecommunications and data processing. With the proliferation of catalytic converters in the automotive industry, NGK SPARK PLUG added oxygen sensors to its production portfolio in 1982.

NGK SPARK PLUG took a big step towards becoming a global company by building its first non-Japanese candle factory in Brazil in 1959. In 1966, the company established a branch in the United States, followed by branches in Malaysia in 1973 and Indonesia in 1977. Branches were established in Australia and Canada in the 1980s and in the Middle East in 2002.

In 1975, NGK SPARK PLUG established its first European subsidiary in the United Kingdom and began operations in Europe. Four years later, in 1979, NGK SPARK PLUG Deutschland GmbH was established in Ratingen. The German subsidiary was renamed NGK SPARK PLUG Europe GmbH in 1989 and assumed responsibility for European business.

Since May 2015, NGK SPARK PLUG has owned all shares of Wells Manufacturing, a leading supplier of vehicle electronics components in the automotive industry. The US-based company offers more than 37,000 parts. The company thus has a wide product portfolio of switches, combustion coils and pressure sensors.

Today, NGK SPARK PLUG is one of the world’s leading suppliers of automotive and technical ceramics. Offering OE to many automakers, NGK SPARK PLUG is currently represented on all continents and has 41 subsidiaries, 25 manufacturing facilities and four technical centers. With more than 14,500 employees, the automotive and technical ceramics business has a combined annual revenue of € 3.1 billion worldwide.

NGK SPARK PLUG is one of the leading automotive and technical ceramics suppliers with its corporate headquarters in Nagoya, Japan and sales organizations and manufacturing companies around the world. With more than 16,400 employees, the company generates a total annual revenue of around € 3.7 billion worldwide. NGK SPARK PLUG is represented on all continents and has 43 group companies, 33 production facilities and five technical centers. Active Group is the official distributor of NGK SPARK PLUG in Azerbaijan, which is one of the world leaders.