Sumitomo Cutting Tool Timeline

Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal Corp. was originally a division of Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. In 2003, it became an independent business entity after separating from Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Currently, Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal Corp. handles the development and manufacturing of products while Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Hardmetal Division handles all domestic and international planning and sales.The company’s milestones below include activities done while being a division of Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., up to its independence as a new company:

1927

Sumitomo Electric Wire & Cable Works (currently Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.) started study/research of cemented carbide

1929

Succeeded in producing cemented carbide wire and cable drawing dies for private use

1931

Started production of cemented carbide cutting tools as “IGETALLOY”

1941

Opened the Itami IGETALLOY Works

1964

Established KYUSHU SEIMITSU KOGYO CO., LTD (currently KYUSHU SUMIDEN SEIMITSU LTD.)

1972

Established Hokkaido Sumiden Precision Co., LTD (Mass production facility for throw-away inserts)

1977

Started production and marketing of CBN sintered tool “SumiBoron”

1978

Started production and marketing of diamond sintered tool “SumiDia”

1981

Started recycling business of tungsten from disposed cemented carbide using a zinc treatment method

1984

Established TOKAI PRECISION CO., LTD (currently TOKAI SUMIDEN PRECISION Co., Ltd.)

1985

Commercialized synthetic monocrystal diamond “Sumicrystal”

1994

Started production and marketing of laser-cut optical parts

2003

Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal Corp. started operation