Jan. 10, 2024
Sumitomo Corporation

Sale of UK Water Business

Sumitomo Corporation (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and CEO: Masayuki Hyodo), together with Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (Head office: Chuo-ku, Osaka; President: Masataka Fujiwara), has been engaged in water business in UK at Sutton and East Surrey Water plc ("SESW"), a UK water utility company, through Sumisho Osaka Gas Water UK Ltd. ("SOGWUK"), a joint venture with Osaka Gas since 2013. On January 10, 2024, Sumitomo Corporation and Osaka Gas have transferred all shares in SOGWUK, including Osaka Gas' 50 percent stake, to Pennon Group plc, a UK-based water utility company.

Sumitomo Corporation has set a goal and has been working to shift its business portfolio under its Medium-Term Management Plan “SHIFT 2023” and executing strategic asset replacement. Sumitomo Corporation will continue to reinforce and develop its primary earning pillars by leveraging its strengths utilizing management capital including operation know-how acquired from this UK water business. 

The impact of this sale on the consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024 has been included in the consolidated earnings forecasts published on November 2, 2023.
 

[Reference information]

 

Figure: UK water utility scheme and water supply area

【Profile of SESW】

Company name
 Sutton and East Surrey Water Ltd.
Year established
 1862 (privatized in 1989)
Location
 London Road, Redhill, Surrey, UK
Business activities
 Waterworks business
Service area
 835 square kilometers in southeast London 
Service population
 Approximately 750,000 (270,000 households)
Employees
 Approximately 340

Inquiries
Corporate Communications Department, Sumitomo Corporation
News Release Contact Form
Top