Category: Newsworthy

Security Engineered Machinery Gives Back to Worcester County Food Bank

November 23, 2021 at 3:48 pm by Amanda Canale

Security Engineered Machinery Co., Inc. (SEM) and Merchants Fabrication, Inc. recently rallied together to donate a staggering 628 lbs. of non-perishable food to the Worcester County Food Bank (WCFB). 

The Worcester County Food Bank is one of only three Feeding America member food banks in the entire state of Massachusetts. In 2018 alone, the WCFB was able to distribute nearly 6.1 million lbs. of food to approximately 75,000 people throughout the county. 

SEM Accounts Receivable Coordinator, Steve Watson, posing with a full car load of donations.

Every year, and especially during the current pandemic, SEM has been committed to WCFB’s mission of helping to serve and feed our fellow neighbors. It’s one of a handful of various philanthropic opportunities the entire company looks forward to every year.

“Whether it’s the Habitat for Humanity Operation Playhouse, the November food drive, or our Toys for Tots drive in the winter, everyone comes together to help our fellow neighbors in need,” says Kristin Olson, SEM Materials Supervisor. “It’s one of my favorite parts about being on the SEM team.”

SEM Director of Marketing, Heidi White, posing with the final food donation weight total.

In just over four years, SEM has been able to increase their annual donation from 151 lbs. to now 628 lbs. with the same staff headcount. 

“Every year, without fail, we have been able to donate more and more,” says Heidi White, SEM Director of Marketing. “We are honored to give back to our community and are already looking forward to our next opportunity.”

Security Engineered Machinery Gives Back to America’s VetDogs

October 7, 2021 at 7:21 pm by Amanda Canale

Security Engineered Machinery Co., Inc. (SEM), global leader in high security information end-of-life solutions, take teamwork, philanthropy — and dogs! — very seriously. Due to the company-wide love for these four-legged friends and utmost appreciation for those in the military, SEM employees banded together to select America’s VetDogs as their next charity opportunity.

The entire SEM and Merchants Fabrication, Inc. team spent the last two weeks of September rallying together to raise funds for America’s VetDogs, a 501©3 charity whose mission is to provide renewed independence to US Veterans, active-duty members, and first responders with disabilities. The dogs are trained and placed by the organization at no cost to the individual. 

SEM Employees with yellow labrador dog

Together, SEM and MFI were able to donate $1,450 to the organization. 

“Our company was founded by a veteran, and we work very closely with all branches of the military,” says Andrew Kelleher, SEM President. “And if you know anyone at SEM, you know that it is no secret that we love dogs here. This charity opportunity was a fun, inclusive, and unique way to honor and help those that have given so much to our country.”

To make things even more exciting, SEM team banded together to create a raffle to drive fundraising stakes. The raffle, by which employees “purchased” tickets through making donations to VetDogs, included such items as a dog gift basket, Bruins tickets, restaurant gift cards, and more.

“Everyone here loves a good competition so we decided to partner with SEM’s management team to create gift baskets that we could raffle off as a way to help drive more money to this great cause,” says Amanda Canale, Marketing Assistant. “And it worked! People were very engaged and we were able to donate a substantial amount to this great cause.”

To learn more about America’s VetDogs, visit www.vetdogs.org.

The Most Trusted Global Brands Have This One Thing In Common…

May 3, 2021 at 3:23 pm by Amanda Canale

A recent article by Morning Consult released a list of the world’s top fifteen most trusted brands as rated by consumers. Surveys were conducted amongst ten countries over a period of thirty days where consumers were asked their opinions on over 4,000 brands and products.

A common theme? Three out of the top five most trusted brands use SEM high security data destruction equipment for their end-of-life drives. A coincidence? We think not. In today’s world, trust between a company and consumers is crucial to a brand or product’s survival and to build positive relationships. At SEM, we focus on data security. We pride ourselves on our ability to work closely with our clients to find the solution that fits their compliance and budgetary requirements. It is this level of care and approach, combined with our quality and unwavering integrity, that has established SEM as the industry leader for high security data destruction equipment.

If three of the world’s top five most trusted brands trust SEM devices for their end-of-life data security – shouldn’t you?

A SEM Flashback from 1987

April 23, 2021 at 4:40 pm by Amanda Canale

Talk about a blast from the past!

Recently, our Director of Sales, Bryan Cunic, received quite the interesting email from a customer. The customer, who is based in Florida, was reaching out with a service question for their office paper shredder. The machine in question? A SEM Model 266.

To most people, this may not seem newsworthy; but to our team, this request was on par with finding an antique artefact or stumbling upon buried treasure. The Model 266 is a previous iteration of the current SEM Model 266/4 and was initially sold to the customer in 1987. (Yes, you read that right! A 34-year-old paper shredder!)

A SEM Model 266 from 1987

The fix? All that was needed was some fresh oil on the shredder blades, and after a restart, it was running like it was 1987 again!

The 34-year-old paper shredder is a perfect testament to the durability of SEM’s destruction devices. Our machines are built to last with state-of-the-art technology and materials and have been doing so for over the past 50 years. It is this reason why we at SEM know that the best practice is to conduct all data destruction in-house with NSA listed equipment. We pride ourselves on working together with our clients to find the solution that makes the most sense for their needs while meeting destruction regulations that are meant to last.

SEM Team Joins Forces for Operation Playhouse

October 9, 2020 at 6:52 pm by Amanda Canale

WESTBOROUGH, MA, October 9, 2020 – Security Engineered Machinery Co., Inc. (SEM), global leader in high security information end-of-life solutions, spent the day of Thursday, October 8, 2020 partnering with Habitat for Humanity for Operation Playhouse. The operation allows the opportunity for local Worcester County businesses to partner with veteran and military families to build and donate a playhouse to the family’s children. Each year, participating local businesses receive construction plans, paint, and a deconstructed house to build, and are given free reign to decorate the playhouses based on the children’s interests.

This year, SEM decorated the playhouse for Marine veteran Allen Proctor’s family and their three-year-old daughter Charlotte. Proctor served in the U.S. Marines from 2003 to 2007.

After weeks of planning, the team arrived onsite at SEM headquarters bright and early to start building Charlotte’s playhouse. Operation Playhouse’s 2020 theme was “barnyard,” so the SEM team decided to get creative and adopted a Charlotte’s Web aesthetic as a play on the three-year-old’s name.

“SEM was founded by a Korean War veteran and we work very closely with all branches of the military, so this cause is always very dear to our hearts,” said Andrew Kelleher, SEM President. “It is always an absolute honor to come together and give back to a family that has given so much to our country.”

The SEM team all gathered safely outside to welcome the Proctor family with a round of applause as Charlotte excitedly ran towards her all-pink playhouse, her favorite color. The house was adorned with a hand painted sign reading, “Charlotte’s Barn” with a monogrammed pink rocking chair on the front porch. Inside, Charlotte’s Barn was filled with stuffed farm animals, a white and pink polka dotted bean bag chair, Little People farm set, and copies of Charlotte’s Web on DVD and novel written by E.B. White. Charlotte’s favorite feature was the brown hobbyhorse that patiently awaited her arrival outside the playhouse.

“As a team, we had so many great ideas for how we could make this the best playhouse for Charlotte, so to see her ecstatic reaction to everything was incredibly heartwarming,” said Amanda Canale, Marketing Assistant at SEM.

This is SEM’s third year taking part in Operation Playhouse and certainly won’t be the last. “We look forward to this every year and are already excitedly planning for next year,” added Canale.

Watch a recap of the day in the video below.

About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in approximately 70 countries. Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

International Women’s Day

March 6, 2020 at 7:00 am by Flora Knolton
From left to right: Cindy Haskell (Customer Care Representative), Eva Marie DiVirgilo (Corporate Controller), Heidi White (Director of Marketing), Kristin Olson (Materials Supervisor), Haley McGrath (Purchasing/Planning Clerk), Jen Bodnar (GSA Contract Administrator), Jenn Doyle (Service Coordinator), and Flora Knolton (Marketing & Sales Associate).

International women’s day is a time to reflect on the progress made by women who have played an astonishing role in the history of equality. Legal restrictions have kept 2.7 billion women from accessing the same choices of jobs as men. On average, women receive between 30 and 40 percent less pay than men for the same work. Much progress has been made in an effort to protect and promote equality in recent times. Days like International Women’s Day are a time to celebrate the gains that have been made and so we can measure how far we’ve come each year. SEM is committed to finding talent based on what they can offer to the company, rather than hiring based on gender stereotypes. We know that women can offer equally as much as men and promote gender equality in every department of our organization. At SEM we fully support our female employees and celebrate International Women’s Day alongside them. We wanted to extend our support and thanks to all the women in the world continuing to make a difference with equality. Happy International Women’s Day!

Gingerbread Smackdown!

December 23, 2019 at 8:26 pm by Heidi White

Here at SEM, we not only enjoy providing superior service and products to our clients, but also love having fun. This holiday season, we decided to have a gingerbread house competition and to allow our social media friends to vote on the winner. All seemed to be moving smoothly and easily at first: we asked for signups, made our teams, and scheduled the event for 20 December. Employees signed up to bring snacks and cider, the Culture Committee purchased gingerbread house kits for participants, and gingerbread builders were asked to bring in decorations for their houses.

That’s when things got a little heated.

Next thing we knew, employees were rushing into work with bags of candy  clandestinely tucked beneath their winter coats, water cooler conversations abruptly ended if a rival team member approached, and whispers about stained glass made out of Jolly Ranchers (!) could be heard.


On the day of the event, spirits were high and everyone was excited to get to work. Team #1 made a classic gingerbread house with marshmallow snow, a candy cane sign, and even a brick walkway. Rival team members cried foul when they saw the brick walkway, crying out, “Paper isn’t edible! Disqualified!” However, after an intensive internal review, the Culture Committee clarified the rules stating that there were no rules, and the competition continued.

Team #2 decided to create a non-traditional gingerbread house, and we will just leave that one right there.
Team #3 went all out with a complete gingerbread train, gingerbread tree, and gingerbread man. They made train tracks out of black licorice and brought glittery snow to put under it all. Rival teams (of course) called foul on the gingerbread train since it wasn’t “regulation” size, but the Culture Committee reiterated the rules – there are no rules – and the competition continued.


Throughout all of the bantering about regulation gingerbread trees and unfair paper walkways, and while Team #2 made their… well, let’s call it a modern art creation, Team #4 quietly and diligently worked to create their masterpiece, a traditional candy house complete with stained glass windows (yes, they went there), custom frosted trees, a pretzel fence, and Santa on the roof.


At the completion of the competition, we turned to social media for votes, and did our clients, friends, and family ever show up! After a weekend of voting, Team #4 was crowned the winner of the gingerbread house competition. And while the prize is lunch out for the winning team, the real prize is bragging rights.

And there has been plenty of bragging, to which the rest of say, “Until next year…”

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays From SEM!

December 16, 2019 at 6:52 pm by Paul Falcone

As the end of the year approached, SEM employees from across the country came to headquarters in Westboro, MA for a look back at 2019 and to enjoy some festivities. The last week was filled with sneak peaks at new products, axe throwing, good food, and good company! 

First up, SEM’s best in class service team went to Half Axe for some axe throwing followed by dinner to celebrate the end of the year together as a team. 



The entire company then gathered at Civic Kitchen in Westboro for some great food, drinks, and entertainment! The night ended with a vicious game of trivia that split the company into five teams, with the winners getting some awesome prizes. 

Todd Busic and Jeff Lanoue caught up on sales discussions
During the evening, President Andrew Kelleher handed out service awards to team members
Tricia and Josh Burton enjoyed some amazing food
Heidi White talked Lee Bingham into a selfie
Aaron Lebo and Chuck O’Laughlin goofed for the camera on the last day

That’s a wrap on 2019. Special thanks to our team from all departments who work so hard to produce quality products that are delivered throughout the world. From everyone here at SEM, happy holidays and we will see you in the new year! Here’s to 2020. 

 

SEM Team Bowls Away the Night

October 25, 2019 at 3:04 pm by Paul Falcone

Last night, a group of the SEM family went out to APEX entertainment center in Marlborough, MA to celebrate recent successes and new additions to the team. Appetizers were eaten, competitions were started, and buckets were shared as the team bowled to see which three players could get the highest score of the night.

The team spent a few hours together through the night to see who would come out on top for the competition, and after the very serious competition we had our winners: Director of Customer Care Bryan Cunic, Inside Sales Representative Ted Jerdee, and Technical Support Specialist Chris Hunt. But the true winner was Donny, who had the best shirt of the night with his dedicated bowling attire. Check him out in action!

 

All in all it was a great time and it won’t be long before the culture committee at SEM has another awesome event planned. Many thanks to all who put the time and effort in to make this happen, and many thanks to everyone who puts their effort in everyday to make SEM the leader in this industry! Until next time.


 

SEM Teamwork Through Business and Fun

October 18, 2019 at 1:46 pm by Paul Falcone
At SEM, we take teamwork seriously. From sales to service to marketing to accounting to machining and shipping, our team members work together to make sure our clients are receiving the highest quality products with the highest level of service. We embrace the work hard play hard philosophy, and that means we have a LOT of fun around the office!
Yesterday was Thai Thursday, which means Paul, Ted, Mike, and Chris (and sometimes Matt…) headed down to Pan Thai in Hopkinton to get their weekly dose of deliciousness. Sometimes other coworkers join and they’re constantly bringing food back for others who couldn’t make the trip down with them! They have the best pad thai around, seriously.
Halloween is also right around the corner. This week, our customer care, traffic, sales, and marketing departments spent some time making the office a little more festive. Some might even call it more comforting! Some team members lent their creative eye to the decorating, while others lent their height to reach those high spaces.
As we head into the end of the year, all of us here at SEM hope you enjoy the many holidays and festivities left to come. Who knows what we’ll be decorating next, maybe this will just stay up all year! Now if you’ll excuse me I have to go relax and enjoy one of the tasty beverages we whipped up that is pictured below. Until next time!
Paul falcone
Marketing Coordinator
Security Engineered Machinery