Release: Oct 25, 2011
Company Name: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
Listing Code: 5333
Stock Exchange Listings: Tokyo and Nagoya
Representative: Taro Kato (Mr.)
PresidentContact: Susumu Sakabe (Mr.)
Director & Senior Vice President
(TEL: +81-52-872-7230)
Certain news media today carried reports concerning a fire
related to NAS batteries on September 21 citing the
Company's website (in Japanese). NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
did not make this news announcement.
NGK deeply regrets any worry or inconvenience to customers,
local authorities and residents caused by the fire
involving NAS batteries.
At present, the fire authorities are investigating the
cause of the fire. As the Company reported previously, NGK
formed an Accident Investigation Committee (chaired by
Takeyuki Mizuno, Director and Senior Vice President) on
September 21, which is looking into the cause of the fire
and measures to prevent a reoccurrence. However, this
investigation will take some time.
NAS batteries are a mega watt-class electricity storage
system and NGK was first in the world to commercialize
them. Featuring large capacity and high energy density, NAS
batteries help with load leveling at times of peak demand
and stabilizing intermittent renewable energy, contributing
to power-saving measures, reduced energy costs and lower
environmental loads. Customers have shown strong interest
in these products. However, until the Company identifies
the cause of the recent fire and formulates measures to
prevent a reoccurrence, NGK is placing top priority on
safety and therefore asks customers to temporarily stop
using NAS batteries in existing facilities as a
precautionary measure. At the same time, NGK will respond
to individual customer's circumstances regarding new
shipments. NGK apologizes for any inconvenience to
customers.
NGK is presently looking at the impact of the fire on its
operating results, and will promptly make another
announcement if there is the possibility of damages or if
it is necessary to revise business forecasts.
NGK Insulators, Ltd. specializes in the design, manufacturing and marketing of electric and electronic components and equipments. Net sales break down by family of products as follows:
- ceramic products (57.3%): for automotive and industrial applications;
- components and equipment for industrial manufacturing processes (24.2%): components for semiconductor manufacturing equipment, corrosion-resistant ceramic apparatuses for chemical industries, gas analyzer, industrial heating systems, refractory products and radioactive waste treatment systems;
- electronic components (10.5%): especially for semiconductors manufacturing and special metals processing;
- electric equipments (8%): insulators and electric devices, batteries for electric power storage, etc.
Net sales break down geographically as follows: Japan (24.5%), Asia (30.4%), North America (21.7%), Europe (21.3%) and other (2.1%).