History

Known initially as Izumi-ya, Sumitomo began its operations in the fields of copper refining, trading, and mining. Its Shikoku Besshi Copper Mine first opened in 1691, and by 1888, mining operations had expanded enough to warrant the introduction of the "shop practices" concept as a way of manufacturing and repairing equipment and tools used at the mine. This marked the beginning of Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.

The company went through several name changes during the course of its history, first with the change to Kikaika (or "Machinery Division") in 1894, and then to Niihama Seisakusho (or "Niihama Works") in 1928. The company was established as an independent public corporation in 1934 under the name of Sumitomo Machinery Co., Ltd. In 1940, its name was again changed to Sumitomo Kikai Kogyo Co., Ltd. (or "Sumitomo Machinery Industries").

In 1969, the company joined forces with Uraga Heavy Industries, Ltd., a company first established as Uraga Dock Co., Ltd. in 1897 with the advocacy of Takeaki Enomoto. After the merger, the company, now operating under the name of Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd., opened up two large-scale plants, the Oppama Shipyard (currently known as the Yokosuka Works) and Toyo Works, establishing its foundations as a heavy industries company.

Sumitomo Heavy Industries has always strived for technological innovation and applies cutting-edge technologies wherever possible. The company operates in a broad range of business areas ranging from manufacturing equipment and infrastructure to fields making use of the latest advanced technology. Most recently, the company's research and development efforts have focused on fine, mechatronics, and systems technologies and by doing so it has been able to gain a foothold in the areas of precision control devices and key components. For example, the company has succeeded in developing equipment for the manufacturing of LCDs and semiconductors as well as digital home appliances. This new area of business is positioned to become the third core competency for the company after power transmission equipment and plastics machinery.

Significant Events for Sumitomo Machinery and Uraga Heavy Industries
Significant Events for Sumitomo Heavy Industries

Significant Events for Sumitomo Machinery	Significant Events for Uraga Heavy Industries

1888
November 20 - The company is launched as a machinery production and repair shop for the Besshi Copper Mine
1897
	June 21 - Incorporated as Uraga Dock Co., Ltd.
1902
	Acquires Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipyards Co., Ltd.'s Uraga Works
1928
Name changed to Sumitomo Besshi Copper Mine, Ltd. - Niihama Works
1934
November 1 - Incorporated as Sumitomo Machinery Co., Ltd.
1940
Name changed to Sumitomo Machinery Industries Co., Ltd.
1945
Name changed to Shikoku Machinery Industries Co, Ltd.
1948
	Tamashima Diesel Co., Ltd. is established
1949
May - Company stock is jointly listed on the Tokyo and Osaka Stock Exchanges
1952
Renamed Sumitomo Machinery Industries Co., Ltd.
1953
	Tamashima Diesel Co., Ltd. is renamed Uraga Tamashima Diesel Co., Ltd.
1957
	New York office is established (currently known as SHI (USA))
1958
June - Company stock is listed on the Nagoya Stock Exchange
1959
Hirozoki Co., Ltd. joins Sumitomo business alliance
1961
Establishment of Nagoya Works
1962
Hiratsuka Laboratory opens	Merges with Uraga Tamashima Diesel Co., Ltd. to form Uraga Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
1964
	London office is established (currently known as SHI (Europe))
1965
Establishment of Chiba Works Equity investment made into Nittoku Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
1966
Sumitomo Machinery Corporation of America (SMA) is established. Environmental Health Research Center opens in Hiratsuka

Significant Events for Sumitomo Heavy Industries

1969
June Sumitomo Machinery Industries Co., Ltd. and Uraga Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. merge to form Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
1971
August Establishment of Sumitomo Heavy Industries Envirotech Co., Ltd.
1972
May Establishment of Sumitomo Yale Co., Ltd. (currently known as Sumitomo NACCO Material Handling Co., Ltd.) June Establishment of Oppama Shipyard (currently known as Yokosuka Works) December Delivers the Company's first cyclotron
1973
February Establishment of the Ohshima Shipyard November Establishment of Toyo Works Kogyo Co., Ltd. is merged to form Shin Nippon Machinery Co., Ltd.
1974
June Equity investment made into Cyclo Drive Germany (currently known as Sumitomo (SHI) Cyclo Drive Germany GmbH) October Sumitomo Eaton Hydraulics Co., Ltd. is established
1975
February Systems Research Center is established in Tanashi September Japan's first ULCC (420,000 ton tanker) is launched into sea. Thereafter, the ship is enlarged into the Sea Wise Giant, the world's largest tanker at 560,000 tons
1976
November Malaysia Shipyard & Engineering is established
1977
November Sumitomo Cyclo Redutores do Brasil Ltda. (SCB) is established
1978
May Dongguk Heavy Industries is established in South Korea
1979
March Receives orders for steel girders to be used on the Innoshima Bridge
1980
March SPM Corporation (currently known as SHI Plastic Machinery Inc. of America) is established Develops miniature cyclotron for use in medical diagnostics April Sumitomo Heavy Industries Casting and Forging Co., Ltd. (currently known as Sumitomo Heavy Industries Himatex Co, Ltd.) is established
1981
April Completes production of world's largest press at 16,000 tons
1982
March Delivers first gas turbine-equipped naval escort vessel, the Hatsuyuki October Merges with Nittoku Metal Industry Co., Ltd., and forms Precision Equipment Division (currently known as the Precision Equipment Group) December Shin Nippon Machinery Co., Ltd. is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Second Section
1983
April Sumitomo Eaton Nova Corporation is established Integration of the Hiratsuka Research Center and the Environmental Technologies Research Center
1984
September Delivers first all-Japanese made training ship, the Nihonmaru
1985
March Establishment of Hong Kong office June International Construction Machinery (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. is established in China
1986
October Sumitomo (SHI) Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. is established
1987
August SMA moves its factory from New Jersey to Virginia November Osaka University orders world's largest ring cyclotron
1988
April Enters the laser processing business Opening of the Great Seto Bridge October The Diesel Engine Group is separated to form Diesel United Ltd. jointly with IHI
1989
January SHI Resort Development Co., Ltd. is established on the former Kawama Factory site May Acquires Lumonix, a Canadian manufacturer of laser devices September Delivers training vessel, the Kaioumaru Completes construction of Yokohama Bay Bridge December Completes development of the world's smallest synchrotron radiation (SR) emitting device
1990
October SHI Plastic Machinery Co, Ltd. (formerly known as SPM) is established as a sales and service company for injection molding machines
1991
March Delivers world's first 95,000 ton, two-tiered tanker October Absorbs the operations of Sumitomo Heavy Industries Envirotech and strengthens environmental business
1992
January The KSX-815, an ultra high-precision flat surface grinding machine, is awarded the Great New Product Award by the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun June The Quantum Technology Research Center is established in Tanashi July Construction of the Laser Center is completed in Hiratsuka
1993
March Delivery of the Company's first double-hull VLCC April Establishment of a dedicated factory within the Tamashima Works (currently known as the Okayama works) site for the compact Cyclo Gear motor, Altax® June Delivery of the world's largest mud work system, the Hakuryo August Receipt of orders for stiffening girders for the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, the world's longest suspension bridge
1994
April Main Research and Development Center is established The Company's compact Cyclo^® Gear motor, Altax® , receives the Nikkei BP Technology Award August Eight offices in Tokyo are consolidated to form the Shinagawa Head Office December Establishment of a new Cyclo^® Drive company, Tianjin SM Cyclo Co., Ltd. in Tianjin, China
1995
January Construction completed for Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line Bridge May Delivers the Tosho, the world's largest grab bucket dredger August Delivers first boiler machine for power generation Delivers a large-scale experimental ship, the Asuka September Lumonix Corporation, a Canadian affiliate of the Company, is listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange New Cyclo^® Drive company is established in Singapore October The Company and IHI jointly form the naval venture Marine United
1996
March Delivers world's largest continuous unloader with a iron ore and coal loading capacity of 3,300 T/H and 2,200 T/H, respectively April A new Cyclo^® Drive company, Tatung SM Cyclo Co., Ltd., is established in Taiwan October Sumitomo (SHI) Cyclo Drive Europe, Ltd. is established in the United Kingdom
1997
February Construction of the Chikunan Clean Center, a large-scale, fully continuous municipal incinerator for the city of Tsukuba, is completed April A new Cyclo^® Drive company, SM Cyclo of Korea Co., Ltd., is established in South Korea City Marina Velasis opens on the former Kawama Works site June Oppama Shipyard is renamed Yokosuka Works October Delivers training ship, the Seiunmaru
1998
January Sumitomo Plastic Machinery Manufacturing Company of America is established to manufacture injection molding machines in the US. March Finalizes a technology sharing agreement with Kruppe Uhde for gasification furnaces April Opening of the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, the world's longest suspension bridge May Begins sale of SE-S series electric injection molding machines Relocates gear box factory from Tanashi Works to Okayama Works June Receives order for a coal-fired power generation system for independent power producers (IPP)
1999
March Completes construction of a large-scale fully continuous municipal incinerator for the city of Akashi in Hyogo Prefecture April Opening of the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge (Shimanami Kaido) May Acquires Osaka Chain and Machinery, Ltd. (currently known as SEISA Gear, Ltd.) June Implements corporate officer performance system December Establishment of SHI Control Systems, Ltd.
2000
January Reorganizes the Main Research and Development Center to form the current Research and Development Center March Delivers the Tenryu, a training support ship July Separates the precision forging business from the Company and establishes Sumiju Precision Forging Co., Ltd. October Sumitomo Heavy Industries Finetech, Ltd. is established November Acquires CBC Tech Co., Ltd., a manufacturer of extrusion molding machines; the company is renamed Sumitomo Heavy Industries Modern, Ltd.
2001
March Joint establishment with NKK and Hitachi Zosen of JP Steel Plantech Co., Ltd., a sales company for steel manufacturing April Sumitomo Construction Machinery Co., Ltd, is split into two companies: Sumitomo Construction Machinery Co., Ltd., which focuses on roadwork equipment and excavators, and Sumiju Construction Crane Co., Ltd., which focuses on the crane business Establishes SHI Financial Services Co., Ltd. May Forms alliance with Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. and Tadano Ltd. for work in the crane business June Begins operation of Synex Co., Ltd. after acquisition of NEC's semiconductor encapsulator business September Transfer of the Research and Development Center from the Hiratsuka office to the Yokosuka Works site The Company's Proton Therapy System is the first one of its kind to be recognized as a medical treatment device in Japan December Finalizes technology sharing agreement with Foster Wheeler Energy on circulating fluidized bed boilers
2002
January Acquires US-based APD Cryogenics, Inc. and expands cryogenic refrigeration business April The related engineering divisions of NKK, Hitachi Zosen, and the Company join JP Steel Plantech Co., Ltd. Establishes Sumitomo Heavy Industries Advanced Machinery Co., Ltd. as a sales and service company focusing on laser products June The semiconductor encapsulation device business of Shibaura Mechatronics Co., Ltd. is transferred to Synex Co., Ltd. The Company's paper manufacturing machinery and press machine divisions are split up; establishment of Sumitomo Heavy Industries Techno-Fort Co., Ltd. July Finalizes technology sharing agreement with SOPRA on high energy excimer laser-emitting devices Establishes Hitachi Sumitomo Heavy Industries Construction Crane Co., Ltd. jointly with Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. November Completes construction of precision machinery factory within the Yokosuka Works site
2003
March Completes construction of a logistics center for power transmission equipment in Shanghai April Shin Nippon Machinery Co., Ltd. becomes a wholly owned subsidiary after a stock swap The shipbuilding division is split up and subsequently, Sumitomo Heavy Industries Marine & Engineering Co., Ltd. is established The Company's shares are delisted from the Nagoya Stock Exchange June Establishes Metso SHI Co., Ltd. to focus on paper making and pulp equipment Establishment of two new injection molding machine sales offices in Dalian, China and Detroit, USA August Establishes Sumitomo Heavy Industries Modern, Ltd. to focus on the film processing equipment business September The Company's shares are delisted from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange October Introduces a global group brand for the Power Transmission Equipment business Integrates the operations of Otsuka Tech Co., Ltd. into Sumitomo Heavy Industries Finetech Co., Ltd. November Completes construction of new Sumitomo Heavy Industries Forging Co., Ltd. factory within the Yokosuka Works site
2004
February Establishes Sumitomo Heavy Industries (Shanghai), Limited A portion of the Tanashi Works site is sold July Begins sale of world's first automatic radiopharmaceutical administering device for use in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) October The total number of injection molding machines delivered surpasses 40,000 units Completes expansion of precision positioning equipment plant within the Okayama Works site
2005
January Establishes service office for injection molding machines in Hanoi, Vietnam February Issues JPY 10 billion worth of straight corporate bonds with a 5-year maturity period March Delivers belt-based moving walkways to Chubu International Airport and the Aichi World Expo as part of the clients' universal design plans Dissolves Sumiju Construction Co., Ltd. July The Company's cassette-based drug combining device for use in PET receives approval to be used as a medical device December Completes expansion of precision positioning equipment plant within the Okayama Works site
2006
January The Hanoi injection molding machine office is locally incorporated March Integrates the operations of the Research and Development Center (Niihama Factory) into Yokosuka Works April Absorbs the operations of Synex Co., Ltd. into the Company May Completes construction of a factory to manufacture motors for use in power transmission equipment in Hanoi, Vietnam Transfers the operations of sMobile to Lightwell Co., Ltd. October SEISA Gear, Ltd. becomes a wholly owned subsidiary December Dissolves Sumitomo (SHI) Cyclo Drive, Europe Ltd.
2007
January Establishes Sumitomo Heavy Industries Environment Co., Ltd. April Former president Yoshio Hinoh assumes the office of chairman of the board of directors, and former executive managing director Yoshinobu Nakamura becomes president May Nihon Spindle Mfg. Co., Ltd. became a subsidiary. December Establishment of Sumitomo Construction Machinery (Tangshan) Co., Ltd. Establishment of Sumitomo Heavy Industries (Tangshan), Ltd.
2008
March Acquired 100% ownership of Demag Plastics Group (Present Sumitomo(SHI)Demag Plastics Machinery Gmbh)
2009
March Acquired 100% ownership of SEN Corporation, an SHI and Axcelis Company Co., Ltd. (Present SEN Corporation) December Steel structure and equipment operations transferred to Sumitomo Heavy Industries Process Equipment Co., Ltd.
2010
April Establishment of Sumitomo Heavy Industries Business Associates Co., Ltd. July Base for reduction gear business established in Brazil
2011
March Acquired 100% ownership of Hansen Industrial Transmissions NV. April Medium-term management plan "Innovation 21" launched November Sumitomo Heavy Industries Gearmotors Co., Ltd. established
2012
April Base for water treatment business established in China Leasing company for construction machinery established in China Base for precision equipment business established in Taiwan
2013
April President Yoshinobu Nakamura became Chairman and Vice President Shunsuke Betsukawa became President. Sumitomo Heavy Industries Material Handling Systems Co., Ltd., established by integrating Logistics & Parking System Division and Sumitomo Heavy Industries Engineering & Services Co., Ltd. Industrial Equipment Division established by integrating Quantum Equipment Division and Sumitomo Heavy Industries Techno-Fort Co., Ltd.
2014
April "The Medium-Term Management Plan 2016" launched
2015
January Established the new technology research center building at the Ehime Works October Sumitomo Heavy Industries Material Handling Systems Co., Ltd. takes over the industrial crane business from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Machinery Technology Corporation Revised Business principles
2016
February Base for precision equipment business established in Shanghai August Sumitomo Heavy Industries Environment Co.,Ltd. merged Sumiju Environmental Engineering Co., Ltd.
2017
February Acquired 100% ownership of Persimmon Technologies March Hitachi Sumitomo Heavy Industries Construction Crane Co., Ltd. became a consolidated subsidiary April "The Medium-Term Management Plan 2019" launched Merged Sumitomo Heavy Industries Mechatronics,Ltd. June Acquired the CFB boiler business of Amec Foster Wheeler plc.
2018
April Merged Sumiju Tomida Machinery Co,Ltd. and Sumijyu Technos,Ltd. Name has changed from Hitachi Sumitomo Heavy Industries Construction Crane Co., Ltd. to Sumitomo Heavy Industries Construction Cranes Co., Ltd.
2022
April Senior Executive Vice President Tetsuya Okamura became Chairman. Merged Sumiju Business.,Ltd.