From a historical perspective,
Sumitomo Forestry
*Photo courtesy of Sumitomo Historical Archives
History of Sumitomo Forestry
Since our founding, we have expanded our business domains in line with the needs of the times, and have built our current global business structure.
We will continue to base the Corporate Philosophy on the foundation of our business and draw out the potential of wood.
We aim to achieve sustainable growth while responding to diversifying values and changes in society.
- 1691
- (Genroku 4th year)
The Sumitomo Forestry Group's origins in the management of forests surrounding the Besshi Copper Mines
"the Sumitomo family" The mine Besshi Copper Mine (Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan) was opened by the company. The origin of the Sumitomo Forestry group is the "management of forests surrounding the copper mines" business, which procures timber for fuelwood, which is essential for copper smelting, and for the construction of mine posts tunnels and houses for the people who lived here and were engaged in mining and smelting.
*Photo courtesy of Sumitomo Historical Archives
- 1894
- (Meiji 27th year)
The origin of the accounting rationale , the Great Forestry Plan and the beginning of the sustained forestry industry
In the late 19th century, the forests surrounding Besshi Copper Mine were in danger of being devastated by excessive logging and smoke pollution over a long period of time. Based on the idea of "Kokudo Ho'on (gratitude for nature's resources)," Iba Teigo, the manager of Besshi at the time, established the "the Great Reforestation Plan" to regenerate the lost forests in 1894. Advocating the idea of sustainable forestry, large-scale afforestation, which at its peak amounted to more than 2.5 million forestation per year, allowed the mountains to regain their lush greenery. After the Great Reforestation Plan came to an end, timber placed emphasis on maintaining and cultivating the forests, as well as on felling and sawing, thereby establishing sustainable forestry as a sustainable management method.
*Photo courtesy of Sumitomo Historical Archives
*Photo courtesy of Sumitomo Historical Archives
Forestry business expands nationwide,
And to the world
The company started forest management in Hokkaido by purchasing national forest in Monbetsu. The following year, in 1918, it was asked by Miyazaki Prefecture to establish a reforestation business in Kyushu, with Miyazaki as the center. In 1940, it was asked to manage a rubber plantation in Indonesia, and by accepting the request, it began to internationalize.
- 1948
- (Showa 23th year)
Establishment of Sumitomo Forestry
With the dissolution of the zaibatsu, Sumitomo's forestry division was split into six companies. After two mergers, Shikoku forestry and Toho forestry were formed, and in 1955, Shikoku forestry and Toho forestry merged to form Sumitomo Forestry.
Started lumber import business
When the company was first established, it mainly handle domestic timber, but with the liberalization of trade in 1950, it began handle tropical timber. Starting with handle Philippine timber in 1955, it expanded its business to Malaysia and Indonesia, and in 1958 began handle American and New Zealand timber.
Started manufacturing business overseas
In September 1970, PT. Kutai Timber Indonesia (KTI) was established to ensure a stable supply of logs for Japan. A processing plant was also built and plywood production began. This was also the starting point of our overseas manufacturing business.
- 1975
- (Showa 50th year)
Enteredcustom-built wooden housing business
Since its establishment, the company has expanded its trading business, focusing on timber and building materials, but driven by a desire to provide safe and secure wooden house to society, it entered the housing sales business in 1964. In 1975, based in Tokyo and Osaka, the company established a system that could handle everything from sales to design, construction, and after-sales support, and began full-scale operations in the custom custom-built wooden houses business.
- 1990
- (Heisei 2th year)
Placed
in the
first
section
of the
Tokyo
Ticket
Exchange
Office
.
Spurred by the
opening
of the
exhibition
In Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Established the Tsukuba Research Institute
By centralizing research into wood, building materials, housing, and resources, we have been able to maximize the potential of "wood." Furthermore, by taking advantage of our favorable location in the Science City, we have been able to improve our technical capabilities and the efficiency of our research and development through joint research and technology exchanges.
In Indonesia,
Launch of Tropical Forest Regeneration Project
In the Sebulu district of East Kalimantan Indonesia, where we have had a long-standing relationship, we started a project to restore rainforest that had been devastated by forest fire and illegal logging to their original ecosystem. As a result of planting a cumulative total of 738,000 forestation (covering an area of 503 ha) over a 13-year period up to 2004, the forests have been regenerated, fruit trees have borne fruit, and animals such as orangutans have returned, contributing to the improvement of the ecosystem.
- 2000
- (Heisei 12th year)
With the active
opening
of
the
Global
exhibition
With the
opening
of
the technique
,
Opening
up the
market
In Seattle, USA
Started overseas housing business
The company began selling detached homes in Seattle, Washington, which was a distribution center for lumber and building materials.
This is the starting point for our Overseas Housing and Real Estate Business.
First wooden beam win in Japan
Rahmen construction (Big-Frame Structure) Develop and sell houses
Big-Frame Structure is the first in Japan to be certified by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as a wooden rigid frame structure using only a pure wooden frame. Unlike traditional houses that were rebuild every 20 to 25 years, Big-Frame Structure allows freedom in design, large spaces, and large openings, and creates homes that can be passed down for two to three generations and serve as an asset.
Entered the nursing care business
With the advent of a super-aging society, we have entered the nursing care business in order to provide safe and secure living environments for the elderly, by utilizing the know-how we have cultivated over many years in the housing business in creating comfortable living spaces spaces.
In Australia
Entered the housing business
In the Australian housing market, where stable growth is expected due to population growth, we established a joint venture with leading home builder Henley Properties Group. At the time, we were the first Japanese home builder to enter the Australian single-family homes business.
- 2010
- (Heisei 22th year)
Sumitomo Forestry's ESG Management in Full Progress Toward a Sustainable and Prosperous Future
wood biomass power generation business
start
In February 2011, we entered the environmental energy business by operating the urban Kawasaki Biomass Power Generation Plant, which uses construction scrap wood and other materials as its main fuel. We are working to develop renewable, clean energy by utilizing construction scrap wood and unused materials, and are contributing to the prevention of global warming.
In the non-residential sector,
Started woodification and woodification business
With the enforcement of the Act on the Promotion of Wood Use in Public Buildings, etc. in 2010, it was decided that all low-rise buildings should be woodification, in principle. Sumitomo Forestry has begun using its knowledge of comprehensive forest management, as well as the technology and design capabilities it has cultivated in the housing business, to promote woodification woodification non-residential areas (stores, hospitals, cafes).
Started exporting domestic timber
In 2009, the Ministry of The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan announced the "the Forest and Forestry Revitalization Plan," which set a goal of increasing wood self-sufficiency rate. To expand the use of domestic timber, we have entrusted the procurement of domestic timber to our group company, Sumitomo Forestry Forest Services, and in cooperation with Sumitomo Forestry Forestry (Dalian) Trading and Sumitomo Forestry Vietnam, we have begun exporting to China, Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
In New Zealand
Acquisition of forest land
We acquired a forest in Nelson City that is planted forest of radiata pine. This wood is fast growing, workability and has excellent paintability, making it an ideal material for housing equipment, furniture, building materials and more. Due to its location advantage in proximity to our manufacturing facilities and the port, we expect to generate synergies with manufacturing business and distribution business and generate stable revenues over the long term.
Announcement of the "W350 Plan" with the aim of realizing Timberized Eco City
The company has announced W350 Plan, a research and technology development initiative aimed at building a 350m-tall wooden skyscraper by 2041, the 350th anniversary of its founding in 1691. By aiming woodification in high-rise buildings and woodification Timberized Eco City turns the city into a forest, the company will increase the amount of wood used and the amount of CO2 fixed, which will also lead to a reduction in the burden on the global environment.
Download Sumitomo Forestry Company History
" Sumitomo Forestry 75 Years of History"
- Full text (811 pages)
- Prologue: From the Founding to the 50th Anniversary
- Chapter 1 Business History
- Chapter 2 Business History
- Chapter 3 Theme
- References
"Sumitomo Forestry Company History"
Related Information
Sumitomo Group Public Relations Committee
Each Sumitomo company, with its own unique "corporate philosophy and culture," is conducting public relations activities as a corporate group. This page links to the website of the Sumitomo Group Public Relations Committee, whose purpose is to study advertising and public relations activities to gain trust and favorability for the corporate group that has its roots in "Sumitomo."