NGK Spark Plugs has announced the appointment of Peter Hayden as General Manager – Sales & Marketing. Peter brings a wealth of experience to the position after previously having success spells with other leading aftermarket companies.

Peter commented, “I am absolutely delighted to be taking on this new role which will see me support and co-ordinate the NGK aftermarket sales and marketing teams. The aftermarket is in my DNA and it is great to be back working in it.” He added, “Having been out of the hard parts market in my recent roles it is great to return with NGK which I have always viewed as a benchmark in the market-place.”

Peter first entered the aftermarket with Quinton Hazell in 1985, spending 13 years with the company in product management, national accounts and field sales management roles before joining Valeo Distribution, later Valeo Service, where he spent 12 years leading the sales and marketing teams for UK and Ireland.

More recently, Peter has had experience within the tyre industry with Micheldever Group and latterly as Group Sales & Marketing Director for Rhino Products, Europe's leading manufacturer of light commercial vehicle accessories.

Peter believes the experience gained in working outside of the hard parts business holds him in good stead for his new role at NGK. He said: “I think these broad experiences and skills I gained in these two different markets will prove to be beneficial to me and the team at NGK. Moving forward, we are continuing to focus on working with our distributors and their workshop customers to ensure that NGK continues to deliver the leading offer for ignition parts and the on-going expansion of our vehicle electronics offering. Our customers have huge affinity for the NGK-NTK brands, our support and the team that provides it. I am hugely excited by the prospect of contributing to this success.”