The Spark Inside - Issue 06

Welcome to the latest edition of The Spark Inside - the monthly newsletter from NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd. This issue shares news of our Teamwork, Togetherness & Wellbeing Day, EGR valve range expansion, NGK Academy success in workshops, and NGK's new group and corporate branding.

Read on to find out more.

NTK EGR valve range expands

NGK has added to its EGR valve range with the introduction of two new part numbers for a number of popular vehicle applications.

The company – the world’s leading ignition and sensor specialist – introduced 45 references to its NTK brand last March in phase one of the UK launch of a wide range of EGR valves.

The valves – equivalent to their original equipment (OE) counterparts – have now been boosted by the addition of part number EGP0-N113 (stock number 93038) and part number EGP3-A111 (stock no. 97915).

Mark Hallam, Marketing Manager, NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, said: “We are pleased to announce two new to range EGR valves which are now available to the aftermarket. They will cater for thousands of popular cars and LCVs on the UK and Ireland’s roads and further improves the comprehensive coverage and convenience that we provide to our aftermarket customers.”

EGP0-N113 will fit a number of 3.0 light commercial vehicles (LCVs) including the Citroen Relay HDI 160 (2006-2014), Fiat Ducato 160 Multijet (2006-2012) and Iveco Daily models (1999-2006, 2006-2010 and 2009-2012) and Peugeot Boxer 250 (2006-2015).

While EGP3-A111 caters for BMW 2.0 models including 1 Series 116d, 118d, 120d and 123d E81, E82, E87 and E88 models (2004-2014), 3 Series 316d, 318d, 320d and Touring E90, E91, E92 and E93 (2005-2014), 5 Series 520d and Touring E60 and E61 (2003-2011) and X3 including xDrive 2.0d E83 (2004-2011).

Plus, EGP3-A111 will also fit MINI 2.0 models including Clubman R55 Cooper D and SD (2006-2015), Cooper R57 Cooper D and SD (2009-2016), Coupe R58 Cooper SD (2011-2016), Paceman R61 Cooper D and SD (2012-2017) and Roadster R59 Cooper SD (2012-2017). It is also applicable for the 1.6 Toyota Verso D-4D (2009-20`18)

The principal function of the exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR) is to reduce the amount of harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) that are produced during the combustion process. NOx is created when high combustion temperatures enable the nitrogen and oxygen present in the air-fuel mixture to combine. EGR valves operate by taking some of the exhaust gases from the exhaust manifold and then reintroducing these gases into the intake manifold, mixing them with fresh air.

Originally developed at the beginning of the 1970s, EGR valves first started to be used in Europe in the 1990s in order to meet the ‘Euro 1’ emission standards. Today, 100 percent of diesel cars are equipped with EGR valves and 30% of petrol cars. Many new models will be even equipped with two EGR types (low pressure and high pressure), which means that the replacement part market for these types of valves is likely to grow, corresponding to the level of demand.

Workshops welcome NGK Academy

Ignition and sensor specialist NGK’s new online training initiative is proving a big hit with workshops.

The company launched NGK Academy last November and it has already attracted scores of?leading independent garages eager to improve their vehicle knowledge 24/7, 365 days of the year.

NGK Academy is aimed at supplying essential training primarily to workshops, but with the content also of value to aftermarket distributors.

The portal includes 270+ technical training?videos across a myriad of technical subjects/components by automotive training experts Our Virtual Academy (OVA) who have also created a suite of bespoke industry leading training videos on spark plugs with further NGK/NTK product focused training being developed in the future.

Spark plug training videos, three of OVA’s core training videos and other existing NGK/NTK training content, are free to access for all once they have enrolled on the portal, but there will be a charge for accessing the full suite of 270+ videos etc.

OVA training videos are on topics such as:

* Vehicle electrics

* Petrol and diesel engine management

* Chassis

* Hybrid

* HVAC.

There are also comprehensive training videos on electric vehicles (EVs) and access to OVA’s dedicated content associated to the formally recognised qualification IMI Level 3 Award in Electric/Hybrid Vehicle System Repair and Replacement QFQUAL I.D 60314680.

Mark Hallam, Marketing Manager, NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, said: “Many leading independent workshops have been quick to take advantage of our new training initiative.

“Automotive technology is changing rapidly and NGK Academy will help technicians deal with the complex challenges that they face and which can help enable them to continue to have a successful career in the automotive industry for many years.”

Since launch NGK has been funding a three-month full access trial for the most active members of its BoxClever independent garage loyalty scheme.

You can enrol for free limited access, for paid full access or use your Promo Code by logging on to ngkacademy.com To view the Academy promo video on YouTube go to https://youtu.be/F8gb5D6hh5s

NEW NITERRA LOGO UNVEILED

Following on from last year’s announcement regarding its upcoming English name change to ‘Niterra’, NGK SPARK PLUG is proud to reveal to the world its new Group and Corporate Logo. This will be officially adopted by the company in conjunction with the name change to ‘Niterra’, which will take place at the beginning of April 2023.

At the beginning of this decade, NGK SPARK PLUG released both its 2040 Vision, ‘Beyond ceramics, eXceeding imagination’ and its 2030 Long-Term Management Plan, ‘NITTOKU BX’. Both set out plans for the company to change drastically beyond the current way in order to secure its continued success well into the future. In the coming years, the company will transform its portfolio in more sustainability-driven directions. To this end, four new business fields have been identified – Mobility, Medical, Environment & Energy and Communications.

Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing automotive industry, which is expected to see a major decline in the use of the internal combustion engine (ICE), the company has concluded that the name NGK SPARK PLUG no longer accurately represents what the overall business stands for.

Indeed, particularly in Europe and the English-speaking countries, the name is strongly associated with the ICE segment. This name, moreover, can result in the overlooking of the positive contribution which the company already makes to the environment – especially with its various ranges of sensors, its technical ceramics business and its many new fields of activities.

To mark this important milestone, both a new name and logo have been unveiled. ‘Niterra’ is a coined word, which combines the Latin words ‘niteo’ meaning ‘shine’ and ‘terra/earth’. It expresses the 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.

For the new logo, the colours ‘Earth Green’ for the letters used in ‘Niterra’ and ‘Shine Yellow’ for the dot on the letter ‘i’ have been selected. ‘Earth Green’ was chosen because it creates the impression of the Earth being seen from space. It, moreover, is a colour that evokes a sense of tradition and trust. ‘Shine Yellow’, in addition, is used in order to resemble the image of a candle shining like a torch.

“With our new Group and Corporate Logo, we are one step further on our transformation journey,” says Damien Germès, President & CEO of NGK SPARK PLUG EUROPE GmbH, Regional President EMEA and Corporate Officer of the Global Headquarters in Japan. “Our new corporate name and logo will be great symbols of our path towards developing the sustainable solutions of tomorrow.”

While ‘Niterra’ will become the Group’s overall name, the iconic brands – NGK and NTK – will continue to exist for the company’s respective ignition and sensor businesses.

Teamwork, Togetherness & Wellbeing Day

Another successful Team Day at the NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd Head Office.

Some of the activities on the day included:

- A cake Bake for Macmillan Cancer Support

- Smoothie making bikes

- MO70 Racing Lawn Mower and Greg Hancock Speedway bike on display

- Goodie bags for all staff, including a limited edition Bobble Hat and a Golden Ticket in some bags for a bottle

- Freshly made pizzas for all staff

- Drinks, fruit and sweets for all staff throughout the day

- Special guest 'Mr Sparky' on-site all-day

- The grand reveal of ￡10K charity cheque for Macmillan Cancer Support

Overall the day was a huge success and we would like to thank everyone who contributed and made the day so memorable.

For more information about NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd and its products and services, please visit?www.ngkntk.com/uk