EMEA Region
Niterra’s activities in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) are managed by Niterra EMEA region, with its regional headquarters (RHQ) located in Ratingen, Germany. The company first began European operations in the UK in 1975 and in Germany in 1979. NGK SPARK PLUG EUROPE GmbH was created in 1989 and since 2017, the company has had responsibility for the entire EMEA region, which includes more than 90 languages and three continents. As one of the company’s biggest regions, along with PAMA, EMEA plays an important role within Niterra worldwide, with sales alone accounting for 24% of the company’s global turnover. This strong performance is achieved by around 770 employees across five regional companies and a production plant in South Africa (figures as of 03/2025).
Technical Centres
The company’s Automotive Components research and development work is undertaken at major Technical Centres around the world, located in Nagoya, Japan; Ansan-si, Korea; Wixom, USA, and São Paulo, Brazil. As well as innovating and testing new prototype products, the centres develop technologies to combat global challenges such as exhaust emissions. They also provide invaluable technical support to the world’s automotive manufacturers.
More information on the Niterra Group can be found on the Global Headquarters website.
Planning for the future
In a decisive step towards the realisation of its 2040 Vision ‘Ceramics and beyond, eXceeding imagination’, Niterra has unveiled its updated Mid-Term Management Plan 2030 - ‘Niterra BX’. This purposeful new roadmap for transformation is rooted in the company’s values and heavily underpinned by its desire to ‘brighten the Earth’, thereby making a lasting, positive impact on society.
This concept is reinforced by Niterra’s determination to leverage its considerable technological expertise in tandem with three key management ideals that sit at its core: Business infrastructure, Human Capital and Solution to social issues.
Niterra: A new company name
Considering the sustainable business objectives and the long term shift away from ICE, the name ‘NGK SPARK PLUG’ no longer accurately described the company’s future direction. Therefore, a new name has been chosen. Niterra is a coined word combining the Latin words ‘niteo’/‘shine’ and ‘terra/earth’. It expresses the company’s desire to not only contribute to a sustainable society, but also one that makes the earth shine. The well-known brands NGK Ignition Parts and NTK Vehicle Electronics will continue to be used for Niterra’s respective businesses.
Business Fields
As part of the updated 2030 Mid-Term Management Plan ‘Niterra BX’, the company has realigned its strategic focus in the fields of Mobility, Semiconductors and Environment & Energy.
Now, the supplier’s resources will be utilised in areas where the company’s strengths such as ceramics-based technologies can result in the most significant returns.
To make the new business fields a reality, Niterra draws on existing structures and a wealth of experience in the field of ceramics, which is bundled in two distinctive areas: Automotive Components & Ceramics.
Global Innovation Division
In a move to further diversify its business portfolio and foster collaborative and creative technical thinking, the company has introduced Niterra Ventures. The aim is to shift the emphasis from building projects internally in favour of strategic investment in startups with scalable, disruptive, and sustainable solutions. This is achieved through close collaboration with business units and by partnering with leading universities.
With hubs in Tokyo, Berlin and Silicon Valley, the programme concentrates on five core investment areas: mobility, energy, environment, food and healthcare. To date, Niterra Ventures has invested in 16 start-ups, ranging from Dessicant, a low-energy air conditioning solution, to AQUA, a sustainable shrimp farming system.
"The Niterra Group from now on aims to “change drastically beyond the current way.” In today’s rapidly changing environment, while commonly sharing the Niterra Way sense of value, every Niterra employee will strive to solve social challenges with the action guideline 'Change with Will!' in mind and with noble intention."
"By using the combined strength of both brands, we not only supply a broad range of products to our customers; we also provide strong values and bring unparalleled insight and knowledge into the industry."
Company's name changes to Niterra
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