NGK Spark Plug to Change Company Name to ‘NITERRA’
Following the 122nd Ordinary General Meeting of the Shareholders on 24 June 2022, NGK SPARK PLUG announces major news with its decision to change its English language company name to ‘Niterra’. World-renowned as an ignition, sensor and technical ceramics specialist, the Group rebrand reflects the journey which the company is currently on and will come into effect at the beginning of the company’s next fiscal year on 01 April 2023.
Ever since its founding in 1936, the company has been synonymous with spark plugs and today enjoys the position of global leader in this market. However, the internal combustion engine (ICE)-related business comprises just one part of NGK SPARK PLUG, with the company also having achieved significant success in areas such as sensors and technical ceramics.
With the on-going transformation of the automotive industry, the NGK SPARK PLUG 2030 Long-Term Management Plan, ‘NITTOKU BX’, which was unveiled in 2020, set out the company’s future path, focusing on the successful portfolio transformation towards environmentally sustainable business fields. These are Mobility, Medical, Environment & Energy and Communications.
Considering the company’s sustainable business objectives, as well as the forecasted shift away from ICE powertrains, the name ‘NGK SPARK PLUG’ no longer accurately describes the company’s future direction as a whole. Indeed, particularly in Europe and the US, the current name is strongly associated with the ICE business segment, which can create an impression that overlooks the positive contribution that the company makes to the environment – especially with its various ranges of sensors, its technical ceramics business and its many new fields of activities.
The Group’s new English company name – ‘Niterra’ – is a coined word, which combines the Latin words ‘niteo’ meaning ‘shine’ and ‘terra/earth’. It expresses the Group’s desire to be a company that not only contributes to a sustainable society, but also one that makes the earth shine: a goal formulated in the company’s 2040 Vision.
While ‘Niterra’ will become the Group’s overall name, the iconic brands – NGK and NTK – will continue to exist for the company’s respective businesses.
“‘Niterra’ is a key milestone in the transformation which we are undergoing,” says Damien Germès, President & CEO of NGK SPARK PLUG EUROPE GmbH, Regional President EMEA and Corporate Officer of the Global Headquarters in Japan. “In the coming generations, it will be necessary to think even more about sustainability and what is good for the earth. With our new name, we have taken one more step on our journey to become a company that not only is successful, but also provides new value to the world.”
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What a strong new company name. Shining Earth. Like it a lot.
We look forward to the future of the Niterra brand and all of the innovations there are still to be discovered.
I am for the name but also for NGK because everyone knows NGK
Exciting Stuff ahead for the company.
It is always good to see companies trying to be more sustainable and friendlier to our earth. We only have one and we need to look after it.
Love the new name, but good that you are not forgetting the old name “NGK” as it has the best reputation out of all the spark plugs!
Exciting stuff ahead
Gonna miss the NGK Brand , clients identified it as a quality brand
Gonna miss the NGK Brand , clients identified it as a quality product
The new name is really good,”Niterra” sounds good too.And it has a good meaning and all the best with the future of the company,glad to be a part of it.
Change is as good as a much needed holiday – onwards and upwards!
Niterra meaning shining earth, sounds great , all the best .
Niterra sounds very good 👍
The meaning sounds powerful and looking forward to a brighter future