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

NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD., the world’s leading ignition and sensor specialist, is not only renowned for its excellent technology and innovative solutions in a variety of areas, but also for its business foresight. This has been demonstrated by its 2018 acquisition of CAIRE Inc., a global manufacturer of oxygen supply equipment, which is currently playing a key role in the global fight against coronavirus (Covid-19).

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

Notes to Editors

About NGK SPARK PLUG:

Worldwide: NGK SPARK PLUG is one of the leading automotive and technical ceramics suppliers, with its corporate headquarters in Nagoya, Japan and sales organisations and production facilities all over the world. The automotive side of the company specialises in the fields of ignition and sensor technology, supplying Original Equipment customers across the globe. For the Aftermarket, its product portfolio comprises spark plugs, glow plugs, ignition coils and leads under the NGK Ignition Parts brand. Under the brand NTK Vehicle Electronics the company offers oxygen sensors (including NOx sensors), exhaust gas temperature sensors (EGTS), mass air flow (MAF) and manifold absolute/boost pressure (MAP) sensors as well as engine speed and position sensors. With around 16,400 employees, the company’s automotive and technical ceramics activities generate a total annual turnover of around 3.7 billion Euros worldwide. NGK SPARK PLUG’s EMEA sales represent 32% of this global turnover. NGK SPARK PLUG operates on all continents and has 60 group companies, 35 production plants, five Technical Centres and three Venture Labs.

Aftermarket EMEA: NGK SPARK PLUG has seen significant growth across the Aftermarket since expanding beyond motorcycle parts into the automotive sector in the 1970s. With an outstanding commitment to quality, technology and research & development the company has become the world’s number one in spark plugs and oxygen sensors, and a leading provider of glow plugs, ignition coils and leads as well as further sensor technology. Organisationally NGK SPARK PLUG’s regional headquarters in Ratingen, Germany serves the Aftermarket across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In the EMEA region the company has six regional companies and more than 1,000 employees, as well as two production plants in France and South Africa and a Technical Centre in Germany.

For more information please visit: https://www.ngkntk.com/

For further information please contact:
Annika Lustig, Specialist PR & Communications, Aftermarket EMEA, NGK SPARK PLUG EUROPE GmbH
Harkortstr. 41, 40880 Ratingen, Germany, AG Duesseldorf HRB 43118
Tel: +49 (0)21 02 974 152 E-mail: a_lustig@ngkntk.de

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