Somta Tools was founded in 1954 by Samuel Osborn Ltd of Sheffield, England, through its subsidiaries Osborn Steels and Osborn Mushet Tools. The name Somta was chosen as the acronym for these companies operating in South Africa.

Somta continues to operate from its original site on Moses Mabhida Road (formerly Edendale Road) in Pietermaritzburg. Somta's expansion has been brought about by the acquisition of two cutting tool companies during the 1980's. Additional growth is realised by continual investment in new plant, with emphasis on state of the art CNC equipment such as Junker, Normac, Rollomatic, Walter, Reinecker and Reishauer machines.

From humble beginnings in 1954 with 20 employees, Somta has grown into one of the largest cutting tool manufacturers in the southern hemisphere, operating from offices and modern manufacturing facilities laid out over 7.5 acres with a complement of over 400 employees.

The factory in Pietermaritzburg manufactures 25 000 standard items and a further 6 000 made-to-order items to serve local markets and export markets in over 60 countries worldwide.

Somta Tools specialises in the design and manufacture of drills, reamers, milling cutters, toolbits, threading tools and custom tools for the industrial and "do it yourself" markets.

The company's vision of "To manufacture and supply superior cutting tools, driven by a culture of service excellence, to global and domestic markets" is supported by ISO 9001 which was achieved in 1991.

Product categories can be summarised as drills, cutters, and threading tools, which are made in a wide range of sizes, using various materials and coatings.