Wixom, Michigan - NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.), Inc. announced today a plan to consolidate its spark plug manufacturing capacity in the United States to its Sissonville, West Virginia location.  This decision is based on a global manufacturing strategy and to meet the demands of the North American market.

The transfer of production equipment from the current location in Irvine, California to Sissonville will begin in October of this year.  NGK Spark Plugs (USA), Inc. will cease product manufacturing in Irvine in May of 2011.  The Irvine location will continue to operate as a West coast distribution center and depot.

“The consolidation of manufacturing into one location enables us to manage our process with a single team and facilitates better economies of scale” explained Bob Pepper, Vice President of Manufacturing / Operations.  The company opened the Sissonville spark plug plant in May of 2008 with intentions of expanding capacity to meet market demands.  The condition of the auto industry and forecasts for recovery created the need for consolidation, and accelerated the timing for utilizing the West Virginia expansion.  “An expanded WV Campus will further strengthen our global network and better position the company to service its North American manufacturing customers” added Pepper.

In North America, NGK Spark Plugs (USA), Inc. is headquartered in Wixom, MI and maintains manufacturing, inventory, and distribution facilities in Irvine, CA, Sissonville, WV, and Chicago, IL.