Across Europe, a wide range of industrial and advanced technology solutions depend on specialist technologies that most people never see directly. Motion systems, industrial drives, precision gears, forming technologies, cryogenic systems, and specialist materials solutions all operate within larger production, infrastructure and high-tech environments.
Many of these come from companies that are part of Sumitomo Heavy Industries.
SHI in Europe is not a single operating brand with one product line. It is a group of specialist companies whose technologies support broader solutions across manufacturing, energy, materials, semiconductors, infrastructure and scientific sectors. Each business focuses on its own domain, but together they cover a wide range of industrial capabilities.
Specialist companies with distinct roles
SHI Europe represents the European group of companies connected to Sumitomo Heavy Industries, covering drive technologies, motors, gear systems, plastics machinery, metal forming, cryogenics and advanced materials processing.
In motion, drives and power transmission, this includes companies such as Invertek Drives, Lafert Group and SCG Group, operating under the wider Sumitomo Drive Technologies brand.
Their technologies are used in automated systems, processing lines, materials handling, HVAC, water systems, and many other industrial applications where speed control, efficiency, and reliability are critical.
In plastics and manufacturing machinery, SHI Demag supplies injection moulding systems for high-precision, high-volume production environments.
In advanced metal forming and flow forming technologies, Leifeld Metal Spinning provides specialist machinery for demanding sectors including aerospace, energy and advanced materials.
In energy and environmental plant solutions, SHI FW works in large-scale energy, industrial plant and environmental systems where complex process and infrastructure solutions are required.
In low temperature and scientific systems, SHI Cryogenics Europe and SHI Cryogenics UK provide cryogenic and ultra-low temperature technologies used in research, medical and advanced technical environments.
More recently, SHI Material Solutions Europe, formerly LASSE in France, has strengthened the group’s position in specialist laser and materials processing technologies that support advanced electronics and semiconductor value chains. These are not overlapping businesses. They operate in different technical spaces and serve different solution environments.
Technologies that enable wider solutions
A common pattern across SHI Europe companies is that their products are rarely standalone end solutions. Instead, they sit inside larger systems.
Drive and motor technologies from Sumitomo Drive Technologies are used in conveyors, pumps, fans, production lines, and automated facilities.
Injection moulding machines from SHI Demag are integrated into complete plastics production systems. Flow forming and spinning machines from Leifeld are used in advanced manufacturing cells.
Cryogenic systems support research platforms and high-tech environments. Laser and materials technologies support semiconductor and advanced component production.
The value lies in what these technologies enable customers to do. Increase precision, improve efficiency, handle demanding materials, control processes more accurately, or operate under extreme conditions.
Breadth across industries
Because of this wide technology base, SHI companies in Europe support a broad range of industries rather than a single vertical market.
Their technologies are used across manufacturing, plastics, metals, energy, water, infrastructure, scientific research, advanced materials and semiconductor sectors. Some operate in high-volume industrial markets. Others focus on specialist, high-precision or advanced technology environments.
That diversity gives the overall European group both resilience and technical depth. It also allows experience and practical knowledge to transfer across sectors over time.
From efficiency to capability and performance
Another shared theme is that many SHI Europe technologies are used to improve system performance, not simply to meet specification.
Variable speed drives and control systems help match energy use to real demand. Precision gear and transmission systems support durability and load handling. Advanced forming systems enable the production of shapes and materials that are difficult to produce using other methods.
Cryogenic systems enable processes that are not possible at normal temperatures. Specialist materials processing supports next generation electronics and components. In each case, the technology supports a broader operational or production objective.
A connected but specialised European structure
SHI Europe serves as the regional hub, connecting these core subsidiaries and their wider networks of companies across the region - approximately nine core groups and dozens of operating businesses in total.
Customers typically engage directly with the specialist company that serves their sector or technology need. Behind that sits a broader group structure that supports long-term development, investment, and technical collaboration.
Taken together, this creates a broad European technology platform comprising focused specialist businesses. Each is different, but connected through shared industrial foundations and long-term technology development.