CAIRE INC. supports NGK SPARK PLUG Group’s CSR by responding to the increasing demand for oxygen solutions

As part of its midterm ‘Accelerating Current & New Businesses’ policy, NGK SPARK PLUG has been investing its resources for product development in three market areas where growth has been predicted: ‘environment and energy’, ‘next generation automobile’ and ‘medical’. Its medical sector has been developing and selling medical use oxygen concentrator products in Japan since 1999. Increasing demand for portable oxygen concentrators, led to the acquisition of CAIRE Inc. (US) and its subsidiaries Chart BioMedical Limited (UK) and Chart BioMedical (Chengdu) Co., Ltd (China).

With over 50 years experience in the production of portable and stationary oxygen therapy devices for home care, as well as turnkey on-site generation commercial solutions for hospitals, CAIRE Inc. is making a strong contribution to the global effort to combat Covid-19, and to the oxygen-related business of the NGK SPARK PLUG group.

Marketed under the CAIRE®, AirSep®, HELiOS™ and SeQual® brands, CAIRE Inc. has increased production to meet the rapidly increasing demand for its oxygen therapy solutions which are being used in the treatment of the most severe forms of Covid-19. With employee safety at the forefront, CAIRE Inc. has been able to react to the big spike in demand – particularly for its oxygen concentrators, liquid oxygen vessels and generators – by adding production shifts and extending hours across its facilities in the US and China, and within its distribution services worldwide.

President and CEO of CAIRE Inc. Earl Lawson says: “As the Covid-19 virus has spread in recent weeks, we have seen a dramatic increase in demand for stationary oxygen concentrators, liquid oxygen vessels and commercial generators from our customers globally – particularly from those who are providing emergency aid in pandemic hot zones. The company has responded quickly to meet the rapidly increasing demand for its oxygen therapy solutions with a heightened level of focus and intensity.”

Commenting on the overall situation, Damien Germès, Regional President EMEA, President & CEO NGK SPARK PLUG EUROPE GmbH and Corporate Officer of the Global Headquarter, says: “We are extremely proud of the contribution which CAIRE Inc. has been making during these unprecedented times. Our acquisition of the company in 2018 has proven to be a wise investment which has benefitted all parties involved. Since joining the NGK SPARK PLUG group, CAIRE Inc. has helped us to strengthen our global oxygen-related products business, while benefitting from our global value chain.”

Outside of the dedicated engagement of CAIRE Inc., NGK SPARK PLUG has undertaken several other support activities during these trying times. The company has donated personal protective equipment (PPE) to medical institutions around the world. This includes 37,000 face masks which the company had in its possession, as well as, in-house, 3D-printed eye shields that have been distributed free of charge to medical institutions in regions where the Group’s bases are located. Social and environmental responsibility has always been an important part of the NGK SPARK PLUG philosophy. Proactive engagement in the current situation is considered self-evident within the company’s core values.

About CAIRE Inc.:

CAIRE Inc., headquartered in Ball Ground, GA, USA, has been a leading global manufacturer of oxygen supply equipment for more than 50 years. CAIRE’s portfolio, marketed under the AirSep^®, CAIRE^®, HELiOS^™ and SeQual^® brands, includes portable and stationary oxygen therapy devices and turnkey on-site generation commercial solutions. These products support home care, hospice, long-term care, hospitals, military, and key industrial applications.

www.caireinc.com