On Monday, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced the Commonwealth is investing over $2 million to support the growth of SECO/VACUUM (SECO/VAC) a vacuum furnace manufacturer in Crawford County.

SECO/VACUUM’s $4.1 million expansion project includes the relocation of the company’s US manufacturing headquarters from Poland to Meadville, Pennsylvania, creating at least 23 new, full-time jobs and retaining an additional 38 jobs.

“I am proud that SECO/VAC has chosen to move their US manufacturing headquarters to Pennsylvania – with our skilled workforce, strategic location, and great quality of life, Pennsylvania is the best place in the country to grow your business and succeed,” said Shapiro. “Pennsylvania continues to be a national leader in manufacturing, and when companies like SECO/VAC set up headquarters here, it sends a clear message that Pennsylvania is open for business. We worked across the aisle to secure major investments in economic development in the state budget this year – and we’ll use those investments to continue to attract more companies like SECO/VAC that want to come to Pennsylvania, create jobs, and be part of what we’re building all across the Commonwealth.”

SECO/VACUUM currently leases 10,000-square-feet of space at the Crawford Business Park in Meadville for its vacuum furnace sales and service office. The company will relocate its U.S. vacuum furnaces manufacturing operations from its current headquarters site in Poland to the Crawford Business Park location. SECO/VACUUM has identified an additional 72,000-square-feet at its current location that will be repurposed into manufacturing and assembly space. The space will be leased for at least 10 years from the Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County (EPACC).

The company received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $2 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant and a $69,000 workforce development grant to train workers. “We’re proud to work with a strong, global company like SECO/VACUUM, who will bring more high-quality manufacturing jobs to Northwest Pennsylvania,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. “Governor Shapiro and I are working hard to attract business and industry to the Commonwealth and we look forward to seeing SECO/VACUUM’s continued growth and success here in Crawford County.”

Established in 2017, SECO/VACUUM, backed by parent company SECO/WARWICK, S.A., is a leading vacuum furnace manufacturer in the North American heat-treating market. Vacuum furnaces remove air from the heating chamber during operation. A lot of industries, laboratories, and manufacturers rely on these high-powered vacuum furnace systems to perform daily functions – from heat treatment to sanitation.

“Our area has always been known for its excellence in manufacturing,” said Sen. Michele Brooks. “The SECO/VACUUM Technologies expansion will not only add additional jobs for local families but will also continue this legacy.”

“The SECO/WARWICK Group has been producing heat treating equipment in Meadville for well over 100 years and, thanks to support from Governor Shapiro and his Administration, the people of the Commonwealth, the Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County, and our parent company; SECO/VACUUM will continue the legacy of providing innovative heat treating solutions to the North American market by expanding our manufacturing capabilities for equipment built right here in Pennsylvania,” said Piotr Zawistowski, President/Managing Director, SECO/VACUUM Technologies. “We’re very excited about this opportunity and what it means, not only for us but for the Commonwealth and our local Meadville community.”

The expansion project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the Governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania. Governor’s Action Team Executive Director Brent Vernon was on hand in Meadville today to help celebrate the announcement and tour the SECO/VACUUM facility.