Niterra Company Profile

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 responsibility for the entire EMEA region, which comprises of more than 90 languages and three continents. The RHQ plays an important role within Niterra worldwide, with its EMEA sales alone accounting for 24% of the company’s global turnover. This strong performance is achieved by around 770 employees across six regional companies and a production plant in South Africa (figures as of 03/2024).

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.

NGK SPARK PLUG vision car driving in the night

Planning for the future

Niterra’s ‘Eco Vision 2030’ sets milestones for where the company wants to be by the end of this decade. With the target of carbon neutrality by 2050, four main issues – ‘Responding to Climate Change’, ‘Expanding Environmentally Friendly Products’, ‘Conserving Water Resources’, and ‘Waste Management’ – have been identified as areas where all employees will work together to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency and contribute to the realisation of the company’s sustainability targets.

The environment is just one pillar of three in Niterra’s sustainability plan, however. Society is another key element where the company hopes to instigate change, through topics such as respecting human rights, managing global resources to help protect society and developing products that resolve 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.

Niterra letters in petrol green with a yellow dot, plain white background

Circle in green, yellow and grey marking different business areas of Niterra

Business Fields

Niterra EMEA region currently focuses on the most advanced new growth fields to date at the company of Mobility and Medical.
Under its reformed Mobility unit, Niterra specialises in automotive components, which supply to Original Equipment and Aftermarket customers across the globe. Additionally, the unit supports customers with maintenance services that match the needs of modern lifestyles and on-demand MaaS options that meet the changing requirements of transport.

Global Innovation Division

In a move to further diversify its business portfolio and increase collaborative and creative technical thinking, the company introduced the Global Venture Lab (GVL) Team in 2020. With hubs in Tokyo, Berlin and Silicon Valley, these units were established to facilitate global business creation for the Niterra Venture Company. Focusing on the company’s future business direction, the Venture Labs have three pillars: Smart Health, which encompasses topics such as women’s health, homecare, respiratory health and wound care; Energy and Environment, which addresses issues including land-based aquaculture and energy-saving air conditioning and Smart Mobility, which puts the spotlight on current and future transport themes, such as EV charging technologies.

Learn more

"The Niterra Group from now on aims to “change drastically beyond the current way.” In today’s rapidly changing environment, while commonly sharing the Nittoku 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."

Shinichi Odo & Takeshi Kawai

Representative Director Chairman of the Board & President and Chief Operating Officer

"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."

Damien Germès

Regional President EMEA, President & CEO Niterra EMEA GmbH and Corporate Officer of the Global Headquarter in Japan

Company's name changes to Niterra

Why was the English company name being changed from NGK SPARK PLUG to Niterra?

What does the change of “English” company name mean? Will the new “English” name be adopted by the whole global company?

When will the name change be effective?

What does Niterra stand for?

What will happen to the current NGK and NTK brand names and logos?

What potential effects will the name change have on customers?

What exactly will change in terms of products, product range, packaging etc.?

Who do I need to contact in case of questions?

What is Niterra's vision and mission?

Will the change of name come across with further changes (acquisitions, business extension etc.)?

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EMEA Region

Technical Centres

Planning for the future

Niterra: A new company name

Business Fields

Global Innovation Division

Company's name changes to Niterra

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