As part of the SECO/WARWICK Group's strategy for 2023–2026, the Group is merging its two American companies: SECO/VACUUM Technologies (SVT) and SECO/WARWICK (SWC). Both entities, located in Meadville, will now operate under one brand – SECO/WARWICK. Piotr Zawistowski, the current president of SECO/VACUUM, will remain at the helm of the merged organization in the USA.
The decision to consolidate responds to the growing market needs, the changing geopolitical conditions, and the aim to further strengthen the global SECO/WARWICK brand as the partner of choice in heat treatment technology in North America.
The merger of the companies eliminates duplicate administrative, management, and IT structures, reducing operational costs. Additional savings will come from joint production planning, better utilization of human and material resources, and the impact of scale in purchasing. Annual savings are estimated to reach several hundred thousand dollars.
“With this change, we will gain brand clarity, a simplified structure, and higher operational efficiency. We are combining engineering potential, team experience, and service and sales capabilities to better meet the needs of our customers. Operating under one brand (SECO/WARWICK) is an important step in implementing our product strategy in the North American market. The consolidation will strengthen brand recognition, optimize operational processes, and simplify administrative formalities. I want to emphasize that while the formal structure and name change, the values, mission, and vision of the SECO/WARWICK Group remain unchanged. The goal of the entire undertaking is growth on all fronts,” says Sławomir Woźniak, CEO of the SECO/WARWICK Group Management Board. After years of the development of both companies and the success of SECO/VACUUM in the vacuum technology segment, the time has come for the next step – integration.
“We believe that integration opens up new growth opportunities and further strengthens our position in the demanding American market. It is also a reflection of organizational maturity and the conscious development of the entire Group. I would also like to emphasize that all existing product lines of both entities will continue. Moreover, we plan to expand the offer with new solutions from the Group’s portfolio, including breakthrough technologies the market for aluminum products and proven solutions in the atmospheric furnace segment. All previously manufactured devices will still be covered by full technical support. The merger of the companies will increase the speed of service response, the availability of spare parts, and access to highly qualified specialists,” commented Piotr Zawistowski, Managing Director of the American SECO/WARWICK branch.
SECO/WARWICK Combines Forces
The decision to merge was motivated by several factors. A strong, unified brand guarantees clear communication with the market and strengthens the SECO/WARWICK Group’s position as a leader in the metal heat treatment segment. Operational integration will ensure greater efficiency – streamlined processes, lower fixed costs, and greater operational flexibility. This decision also results in better utilization of engineering, sales, and service potential. The simplified organization and structure facilitate all kinds of legal and financial audits and settlements.
“ The American market is crucial for us – this region made a significant contribution to the Group’s sales in 2024. We are making progress in terms of efficiency, and this consolidation will enable even more effective operations,” added S. Woźniak.
Development of the US market – merger and expansion
The SECO/WARWICK Group boasts customers in 70 countries. In the US market, the Group has hundreds of customers, with SECO/VACUUM serving over 125 customers during its 8 years of market presence. The headquarters of SECO/WARWICK America remains unchanged and is located in the business park on Technology Drive in Meadville.
Recently, the SECO/WARWICK Group invested $4 million in the development and expansion of its American plant in Meadville. This investment is part of the “Made in USA” strategy that the SECO/WARWICK Group has been implementing since 2024. This upgrade significantly increases the Group’s production capabilities for the American market, and is one of the factors leading to the consolidation of the companies. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania supported this expansion by granting the then two American branches of the Group a package of grants worth $2 million from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) under the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP).
SECO/WARWICK has been continuously present in the American market since 1984. One of the short-term goals following the merger will be the transfer of technology and the expansion of the product portfolio in the American market. This will provide a logistical advantage and improve competitiveness in the region. The remaining branch of the Group in the USA – RETECH in Buffalo, New York – will maintain its existing production, product segment, and separate brand.
The merger of the two companies results from an analysis of the market, financial, and organizational situation. The new structure will also allow for a more effective response to customer needs and a quick reaction to dynamic changes in the business environment.
