Company Profile
Sumitomo Drive Technologies is a globally recognized leader in power transmission and controls, rooted in a 1939 partnership that followed the invention of the Cyclo® reducer in 1925. As a key division of Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd., whose origins trace back to 1691, it continues to grow through strategic acquisitions and global integration, delivering advanced technologies for evolving industrial needs.
Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. began in 1691 as Izumi-ya with copper mining and expanded into equipment manufacturing by 1888. After several name changes, it became Sumitomo Machinery Co., Ltd. in 1934. The 1969 merger with Uraga Heavy Industries formed Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd., which today focuses on innovation in manufacturing and advanced technologies such as power transmission, precision control, semiconductors, and plastics machinery.
Sumitomo Drive Technologies, a division of Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd., was shaped by the 1925 invention of the Cyclo® reducer by German inventor Lorenz Braren. This breakthrough led to a 1939 strategic alliance, establishing the company as a leader in power transmission technology.
Since unifying 30 subsidiaries under the Sumitomo Drive Technologies brand in 2003, the company has expanded globally. Key acquisitions like Lafert Group and Invertek Drives have broadened its portfolio to include electrical motors and advanced control systems. Committed to innovation and excellence, Sumitomo Drive Technologies delivers reliable, cutting-edge drive solutions to meet evolving industrial challenges worldwide.
Corporate Video
Watch our corporate video to learn more about what makes Sumitomo a global leader for power transmission and controls.
Company History
1888 - 1915
- November 1888: The company is launched as a machinery production and repair shop for the Besshi Copper Mine.
1888 - 1915
- September 1916: Established as Osaka Mfg. Co., Ltd. chain site.
- January 1928: Lorenz Braren granted a patent for his invention of the Cyclo gearbox.
- 1928: Name changed to Sumitomo Besshi Copper Mine, Ltd. - Niihama Works
- November 1934: Incorporated as Sumitomo Machinery Co., Ltd.
- January 1935: Changes the company name with Osaka Seiko Co., Ltd.
- January 1937: Acquired the joint company Mizoguchi Gear Factory and started production of gears and various transmissions.
- 1939: Manufactured the first Japanese Cyclo at Niihama Works.
- May 1949: Listed on the Osaka Securities Exchange.
1951 - 1980
- December 1951: Capital participation in Japan Machine Made Chain Co., Ltd.
- October 1956: Kobe Steel Co., Ltd. will become a Kobe Steel group company through capital participation.
- 1961: Nagoya Works was established in Obu City,which enabled mass production of Cyclo Drive units.
- 1966: Sumitomo established Sumitomo Machinery Corporation of America (SMA), the very first overseas manufacturing plant in Carlstadt, NJ (USA).
- October 1967: Started operation of the factory facilities of Shinko Mizoguchi Gear Co., Ltd. as our Takasago plant. Technology collaboration on SF Coupling with US FALK.
- May 1970: Become an international member of AGMA (American Gear Industry Association).
- May 1979: Manufacture and sale of anchor chain transferred subsidiary Nippon Mechanical Chain Co., Ltd.
1981 - 2000
- 1980: Hedcon introduced
- 1981: Compower introduced, AF100, AF100G (inverter) introduced
- July 1982: Headquarters and factories are consolidated in Kaizuka City Wakihama 4-16-1.
- 1985: SMA opened a regional office was opened in Rexdale, Ontario.
- 1988: Hyponic Drive introduced in Japan with patented hypoid technology.
- December 1988: Having outgrown the Teterboro facility, SMA relocated to Chesapeake, VA.
- December 1992: The Latin American territory established with 16 stocking distributors supported by direct sales engineers and manufacturing representatives.
- December 1993: Okayama Gearmotor plant established.
- September 1996: Acquired the certification of the international standard "ISO 9001" for quality assurance.
- May 1999: Becoming a Sumitomo Heavy Industries group company by Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. capital participation.
- February 2000: Toyo Precision Machinery Co., Ltd became a specified subsidiary.
- March 2000: Merger with Nippon Mechanical Chain Co., Ltd.
- July 2000: Merger of Toyo Precision Machinery Co., Ltd.
2001 - 2010
- October 2002: Changed company name to Seisa Co., Ltd.
- 2003: Introduced the global division brand of Sumitomo Drive Technologies to bind all Sumitomo Power Transmission and Controls divisions together.
- October 2006: Abolishment of listing due to stock exchange with Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. of the parent company, becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the company.
- October 2007: Merger with Ueda Gear Precision Machinery Industry Co., Ltd.
- 2008: Sumitomo Machinery Corporation of America Opens Fifth Facility in Louisville, KY
- August 2009: Acquired the international standard "ISO 14001" for the environment.
2011 - Present
- 2011: SHI Completes Acquisition of Shares of Hansen Industrial Transmission
- 2012: BBB4 and BBB5 launch
- April 2016: Changed company name to Sumitomo Heavy Industries Gearbox Co., Ltd. from Seisa
- April 2017: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. PTC Division, Gearbox Division (Okayama Plant) and business integration.
- January 2018: Corporation of America Announces their $10 Million Expansion to Chesapeake Headquarters.
- May 2018: Sumitomo Machinery Corporation of America opens GB Center of Excellence in Verona, VA.
- May 2018: Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd acquires Lafert Group.
- August 2019: Fortress Stainless Steel Reducer Launch
- September 2019: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. Acquires Invertek Drives Ltd..
- December 2019: Sumitomo Machinery Corporation of America completes acquisition of Luftex Gears.
- October 2020: New Hansen M5CT Industrial Gearbox Launch.
- January 2021: Bevel Buddybox® H-Series Reducer Launch.
- July 2021: Sumitomo Begins Expansion Project in Nuevo León, Mexico.
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