Sumitomo Corporation was originally founded as The Osaka North Harbour Co., Ltd. in December 1919. The company engaged in real estate management, conducting land reclamation in the Hokko (North Port of Osaka) area and the development of the surrounding areas, along with other activities. In 1944, the company merged with The Sumitomo Building Co., Ltd. and was renamed Sumitomo Real Estate Building Co., Ltd. In November 1945, the company was renamed Nippon Engineering Co., Ltd. and advanced into the trading business, handling products from Japan's major manufacturers as well as products manufactured by its own group companies. From then on, the company focused on trade, looking to expand both the range of products it traded and the industrial segments it operated within. In 1949, the company listed its shares for public trading on the Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya stock exchanges.