NGK Announces Plans to Expand in Sissonville, W. Va.

NGK Spark Plugs (USA), Inc., announces future expansion plans at its present Sissonville, West Virginia, location.

Based on increased future customer requirements for spark plugs and the fact that we are at current manufacturing capacity at our California location with no expansion available, a new spark plug assembly facility will be constructed on space existing at the West Virginia location.

"NGK is a great partner with West Virginia," said Gov. Joe Manchin. "This expansion is further evidence of the results we can achieve with our quality work force and the cooperation of business and government."

Working in conjunction with Senator Jay Rockefeller, Governor Joe Manchin, the West Virginia Development Office and Economic Development Authority, the Charleston Area Alliance, Kanawha County and local officials, NGK is developing final plans for the construction and staffing of this new facility. It is anticipated that initial assembly and production will begin third quarter of 2008.

The decision to expand at this location was made after a national search of other locations.  Based on the 12-year positive history of a dedicated workforce and the cooperative efforts of governmental and private agencies, the commitment to West Virginia was an obvious choice.

Details of the plant and staffing requirements will be released at a later date.