Ignition specialist NGK is expanding its worldwide spark plug production capability with the opening of a new production facility in Komaki, Japan.

By 2020 the supplier of original equipment spark plugs, glow plugs and NTK Lambda and other engine management sensors plans to have reached an annual production capacity of one billion spark plugs, 30% more than its capacity today.

Marko Wowczyna, Automotive Director, NGK Spark Plugs said, “The news demonstrates NGK’s commitment to stay at the forefront of spark plug technology in the coming years. As the world’s leading manufacturer of spark plugs we work tirelessly to provide the necessary technology and infrastructure to deliver the components that satisfy the demands of the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers.”

NGK has constructed an additional 26,000 square metres of production space for spark plug components at its site in Komaki. Work started in May 2015 and was completed in March 2016 at a cost of seven billion Yen, which is in excess of €50 million.

The factory is designed to be environmentally friendly, with low energy consumption and geothermal energy used for the air conditioning system. It will primarily manufacture centre electrodes and components for spark plug terminals.