Happy birthday NGK Europe

I was lucky enough to be one of the UK delegation of journos invited out to Dusseldorf in Germany to celebrate NGK Europe’s 30th birthday last week.

Founded in 1979, four years after NGK UK, NGK Europe today:

• is technical partner for 52 OEMs
• supplies 526 aftermarket customers
• is represented in 38 European countries

They’ve got a lot to celebrate – and boy do they know how to throw a party!

There were journalists from all over the world, and as anyone who has ever spent time in the bar with a hack will know, everyone was up for a good night.

No one was disappointed.

We were fed mammoth joints of meat (not of the woolly variety, although they were big enough to be from one) in true Bavarian style – delicious. And watered with locally brewed beer, followed by probably one too many Maltesers (not the chocolate sort).

With NGK UK’s Brian Childs and Gez Irving on top form as our generous hosts, the British crew was well looked after – and well entertained!

Now what takes place in the bar stays in the bar, so I’m not going to elaborate. I will say, though, that there were a few sore heads the next day – and it wasn’t all down to the booze…

But before I give you the wrong impression that life as an aftermarket journalist is one long party – we did do some work!

It was an absolute pleasure to be given a tour of NGK’s fascinating technical centre in Ratingen by the charming Stefan, who is always very gracious in spelling out the complex science bits – even to a hungover rabble.

It really was a great trip, so happy birthday NGK Europe and thank you. A fantastic company with a great heritage and, I’m sure, another successful 30 years to come.