State invests more than $2M to help international vacuum furnace manufacturer expand

Pennsylvania is investing more than $2 million to support the growth of a Poland-based vacuum furnace manufacturer in Crawford County.

SECO/VACUUM Technologies, the U.S. arm of the publicly traded SECO/WARWICK Group Co., is the North American sales, applications engineering, and service support team for world-class vacuum furnaces. The company’s Meadville, Pa., location provides stocking and delivery of all components, controls, and documentation to support customers.

Piotr Zawistowski, president and managing director at SECO/VACUUM Technologies, said the SECO/WARWICK Group has been producing heat treating equipment in Meadville for well over 100 years.

“Thanks to support from Gov. 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 Zawistowski. “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 company is undergoing a $4.1-million expansion project, which includes the relocation of the U.S. manufacturing headquarters from Poland to Meadville, creating at least 23 new, full-time jobs and retaining an additional 38 jobs.

“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,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said Monday. “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.”

SECO/VACUUM currently leases 10,000 square feet of space at the Crawford Business Park in Meadville, where it will relocate its U.S. vacuum furnaces manufacturing operations.

SECO/VACUUM has identified an additional 72,000 square feet at its current location that will be repurposed into manufacturing and assembly space, according to the governor’s office, which said the space will be leased for at least 10 years from the Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County.

“We worked across the aisle to secure major investments in economic development in the state budget this year,” Shapiro said, “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.”

State Sen. Michele Brooks (R-50), whose district includes Crawford County, said the area has always been known for its excellence in manufacturing.

“The SECO/VACUUM Technologies expansion will not only add additional jobs for local families but will also continue this legacy,” she added.

The company received a funding proposal from the State Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $2 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program 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. “Gov. 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.”

The expansion project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, while the DCED Office of International Business Development provided support and technical assistance to help the company relocate its headquarters.

Since taking office, the Shapiro administration has secured and announced nearly $2 billion in private-sector investments through the Governor’s Action Team and Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites investments.

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