by Nick Drew | Tue 11 Nov 2025
The Return of the SUMO’s
Sumitomo’s hydraulic excavators have been present in the UK for many years, but largely in other brands colours as part of continuing collaborations, most notably in the early 1990’s when JCB-SCM Limited (JSL) was established as a joint venture with JCB. That JV ended in 1998.
A similar joint-venture was agreed with the Case Corporation in the US in 1992 and the same machines were marketed in Europe including the UK.
Sumitomo excavators are still sold in the colours of Case and Link-Belt today, and most recently Kubota introduced a 14-tonne zero tailswing model which is also from the Sumitomo stable. I’ve never been fortunate enough to visit the factory in Japan, but apparently you see the machines in the various brand colours making their way down the production line, and out into the holding yard ready for distribution.
In the 90’s many low-houred used or sometimes new Sumitomo excavators came into the UK during the grey market period. They had to be CE marked to be legally sold here and they were well liked machines, in fact, when I fist dipped my toe in the water to become an owner operator, I very nearly purchased an SH120 model, I really liked the machine, super smooth and powerful, but I got talked out of it by a dealer at the time.
The current big news is that these highly regarded macines are going to be back on sale in the UK under their own brand name, and the first consignment has already landed, at North East based dealers. C.J Leonard & Sons, and I hope to be taking a look around some of them in the not-too-distant future so stay tuned!