In 2010, the SECO/WARWICK Group made a strategic decision to expand its operations in Asia by establishing the SECO/WARWICK company in China. Today, 15 years later, it is one of the key assets in the SECO/WARWICK Group. The Chinese company is now a leader in providing advanced technologies for the automotive and aerospace industries in Asia. During their tenure, the Asian branch has delivered over 200 devices in the metal heat treatment and metallurgy segment to partners around the world.
Since its inception, SECO/WARWICK China has significantly developed its operations – the plant area has doubled to 10,000 m², and the number of employees has increased from 29 to nearly 100. The Chinese company has already delivered 206 innovative solutions, including 133 CAB lines, 55 vacuum systems, and 18 solutions from other segments.
The Strength of SECO/WARWICK – Globalization through localization
Currently, the Asian branch of the Group provides solutions to customers around the world. The largest recipients of technologies, apart from the local market, includes Mexico (6%), India (4%), and Morocco (2%), as well as Poland, Spain, France, and Brazil.
“This is a particularly pleasing anniversary for me, as I had the honor of managing the Chinese company almost from the beginning. When I became its managing director in 2011, my goal was to create internal structures and a sales force that would operate with excellence in the Asian market. It was crucial to build a team and hire the right people who knew the business culture of this region. Today, in China, we have a factory with an assembly process, and the ability to work in many technologies. We have also conducted extensive training aimed at delivering unified SECO/WARWICK products regardless of the region of the world they are produced in,” said Sławomir Woźniak, CEO of the SECO/WARWICK Group.
The strength of SECO/WARWICK is, on one hand, globalization and a high level of know-how throughout the entire Group, and at the same time localization understood as the ability to adapt to the needs of the local market – needs that include the necessity for accurate business communication. Today, the Chinese branch can conduct commercial trials for CAB technology, and produce 20 CAB lines, 8-10 VAC vacuum furnaces, and 3-5 devices from the vacuum metallurgy segment annually.
Technologies produced by SECO/WARWICK China are used in industries such as automotive (53%), aerospace (27%), telecommunications, electronics, tools and molds, energy, rail transport, construction machinery, HVAC, and medical equipment.
Innovation and development
Over 15 years, the Chinese branch has grown organically. Since 2010, the company has consistently implemented modern technologies. Currently, SECO/WARWICK China is a leading provider of vacuum furnaces (2012) and plasma brazing technology (2013). The first device from the VME segment was built by the Chinese company in 2013, and in 2022 the company began producing Vacuum Induction Melting (VIM) devices.
“In 2024, we officially launched a comprehensive R&D CAB center in Asia, allowing for process research and the development of new technologies. We began producing Vector vacuum furnaces — SECO/WARWICK Group’s flagship solution, making our branch complete, playing a key role in the Group’s structure. I can’t count the awards we’ve received during these 15 years. Among others, we have received the title of «Qualified Supplier for the Aviation Industry,» «Chinese National High-Tech Enterprise,» «Brand appreciated by customers,» and the certificate, «Integration of information and industrialization management systems.» Over 15 years, we increased employment by nearly 250%. I am grateful to the employees who continue to build SECO/WARWICK’s success in China. Our capital is our people, their ideas, diligence, and reliability,» commented Liu Yedong, Managing Director of SECO/WARWICK China.
At the end of 2024, SECO/WARWICK China owned 31 patents, confirming its innovation and contribution to the development of advanced industrial technologies.
What does the future hold?
The 15th anniversary of SECO/WARWICK China is a milestone but also the impetus for further development. The company plans to continue its expansion in local markets, develop new technologies, and strengthen its position as a leader in heat treatment and brazing. The SECO/WARWICK Group estimates that the share of the Chinese company as a potential supplier of components and equipment to other Group entities will also increase gradually.
SECO/WARWICK China is a success story — from a local player to a global provider of advanced technological solutions.
