Tue, 01 April, 2025
We are pleased to announce that Sumitomo Heavy Industries TRC have become Industrial Members of TWI.
Originally known as Izumi-ya, Sumitomo began operations working in copper, refining, trading and mining, with the Shikoku Besshi Copper Mine first opening in 1691. By 1888 their mining operations had expanded enough to need to manufacture and repair the equipment and tools used at the mine – marking the start of Sumitomo Heavy Industries TRC as a business.
A series of name changes over the ensuing years and a merger with Uraga Heavy Industries Ltd in 1969 saw the company, now operating under the name of Sumitomo Heavy Industries TRC, open up two large-scale plants; the Oppama Shipyard (currently known as the Yokosuka Works) and Toyo Works.
This established Sumitomo’s foundations as a heavy industries company that now operates in a broad range of business areas, covering manufacturing equipment and infrastructure through to the latest advanced technologies. Most recently, the company's research and development efforts have focused on fine, mechatronics, and systems technologies, providing a foothold in the areas of precision control devices and key components. This new competency, which included developing equipment for the manufacturing of LCDs and semiconductors as well as digital home appliances, has become the third core competency offered by Sumitomo alongside power transmission equipment and plastics machinery.
Speaking on their membership of TWI, Sumitomo Heavy Industries TRC said, "We joined TWI Industrial Membership to accelerate our research in welding and joining technologies. We believe TWI's experts will support our sustainable manufacturing efforts by helping us improve our current welding technology to achieve better quality welds and by introducing advanced joining methods that reduce the environmental impact of our manufacturing processes."
As Industrial Members of TWI, Sumitomo Heavy Industries TRC gain access to a unique package of benefits including impartial consultancy and technical support services, access to knowledge, information, technologies and innovation, plus opportunities to join a range of research programmes. We look forward to helping them achieve their membership goals.