Category: Press Releases

SEM Gives Back to Community with Annual Food Drive

November 28, 2023 at 8:00 am by Amanda Canale

WESTBOROUGH, MA November 20, 2023 – Security Engineered Machinery Co., Inc. (SEM) has completed their annual mission of donating 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. 

In the true essence of Thanksgiving, SEM employees have united year after year to collect non-perishable food items to make a meaningful impact on their local community. The initiative is a testament to the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and fostering a sense of community.

The company-led food drive kicked off on November 6 and continued until November 17. Employees from various departments, both remote and local to the Westborough headquarters, enthusiastically embraced the opportunity and were able to gather 527 lbs. of food for the local food bank.

“As we approach Thanksgiving, we are reminded of the importance of gratitude and compassion,” says Amanda Canale, SEM Marketing Coordinator. “At SEM, we believe in the power of collective action and are so proud to be able to contribute to our local community, ensuring that no one goes hungry during the holiday season.”

The annual food drive is just one of a handful of philanthropic initiatives the company takes part in every year. 

“Our employees have always wholeheartedly embraced each opportunity to give back, which is something we have always been extremely proud of,” says Andrew Kelleher, SEM President. “Knowing that our efforts will make a difference in someone’s Thanksgiving celebration is truly heartwarming. We’re not just colleagues; we’re a family that cares about our community.”

SEM Celebrates Earth Day with Neighborhood Cleanup

May 16, 2023 at 7:30 am by Amanda Canale

WESTBOROUGH, MA May 5, 2023 – Security Engineered Machinery Co., Inc. (SEM), global leader in high security information end-of-life solutions, spent Thursday, April 27, 2023 walking up and down Walkup Drive in Westborough, MA, where their headquarters are located, picking up trash. 

The SEM Culture Committee, a group of voluntary employees that plan interactive philanthropic and team-building activities, partnered with the company’s ISO 14001 task force to collaborate on an event to honor Earth Day, an annually recognized day centered around environmental protection celebrated on April 22. 

“At SEM, we are committed to protecting our environment in a multitude of ways,” says Lara Rapport, SEM Director of Quality. “Our ISO 14001 certification as just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the continuous improvements we make in order to be as sustainable and environmentally conscious as possible.”

ISO 14001 is a familial set of standards developed in the mid-1990s to help organizations minimize how their operations negatively affect the environment (or cause adverse changes in air, water, or land), educating the organization on how to comply with applicable laws, regulations, and other environmental standards, and how they can sustain their efforts.

“Our cleanup initiative was something that our two groups had collaborated on as a way to not only educate our team on our ISO 14001 efforts, but also to really drive home the message that we can make serious change when it comes to our local environment,” says Amanda Canale, SEM Marketing Coordinator. 

The two teams worked closely with the Westborough Department of Public Works to coordinate the delivery of empty waste bags and the pickup of the collected trash. The cleanup event saw an attendance of over twenty employees, including company president, Andrew Kelleher. The cleanup activity is just the latest in the company’s detailed history of giving back to their local community, adding itself amongst the annual food bank and toy donations, and Operation Playhouse. 

“We have always prioritized events and activities that are both interactive and morale-boosting, and serve a philanthropic purpose, and this one was our most well-received yet. We will be making this an annual SEM tradition,” states Rapport.

For more information on Security Engineered Machinery’s environmental policy, visit here. 

SEM Introduces NSA EPL Listed High Security Solid State Disintegrator

January 24, 2023 at 8:00 am by Amanda Canale

Security Engineered Machinery Co., Inc. (SEM), global leader in high security information end-of-life solutions, is pleased to announce that its new Model SSD2-HS high security solid state disintegrator meets the requirements of NSA/CSS 9-12 Storage Device Declassification Policy Manual. This revolutionary device is now listed on the NSA/CSS EPL and was specifically designed for the destruction of classified and highly sensitive solid state media and devices, producing an NSA mandated 2mm squared final particle size. 

“The SEM Model SSD2-HS is an exciting new addition to our long line of disintegrator devices and fills a large void within the intelligence community when it comes to classified SSD destruction,” commented Todd Busic, SEM Vice President of Sales. “This NSA listed device incorporates technologies to mitigate jams and increase operator health and safety via HEPA filters, making the SSD2-HS an industry first.”

The NSA states that in order for a solid state disintegrator to be NSA/CSS listed, it must be able to “reduce any solid state storage device to a maximum edge size of 2 millimeter or less” (NSA.Gov), making the SEM Model SSD2-HS a viable option for the destruction of end-of-life classified solid state material.

The Model SSD2-HS disintegrator has the power to cut through multiple steel plates, carriers, and other drives. The model’s dual stage cutting system features an auto unjam in both stages, robust safety features, and premium sound proofing. Together, the model’s dual stage cutting system combined with the solid steel rotor and cutting blades efficiently destroy multiple SSD-type devices.  

“The Model SSD2-HS is a state-of-the-art, clean, and revolutionary device that ensures the secure end-of-life destruction of any and all solid state devices,” commented Andrew Kelleher, SEM President and CEO. “Our engineers have been working tirelessly on this product and the device performance reflects that. Whether it’s laptop boards, thumb drives, or other memory modules, this machine can destroy it.”

In addition to powerful steel rotors, the device is equipped with premium sound dampening insulation, a waste evacuation system with high efficiency particulate filtration and external vacuum, and other features to ensure optimal operator and environmental health and safety.

“SEM has long been an innovator of high security information destruction technology and the new SSD2-HS continues that tradition of excellence,” noted Busic.

For more information on the Model SSD2-HS, visit https://www.semshred.com/explore-model-ssd2-hs/. 

Security Engineered Machinery Gives Back to Veteran Family with Operation Playhouse

March 7, 2022 at 7:25 pm by Amanda Canale

WESTBOROUGH, MA, February 23, 2022 – Security Engineered Machinery Co., Inc. (SEM), global leader in high security information end-of-life solutions, once again partnered with Metrowest 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 rein to decorate the playhouses based on the children’s interests.

The SEM team decorated the playhouse for U.S. Army veteran Sgt. Christopher Cutliffe’s family. Sgt. Cutliffe served in the U.S. Army from 1998 to 2006 with a 2003 tour in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. 

“SEM was founded by a Korean War veteran in 1967, and ever since then we have worked very closely with all branches of the military and intelligence community, so any opportunity we have to give back, we take it,” said Andrew Kelleher, SEM President. “This cause has always been so close to our hearts, and it is always an absolute honor to come together and give back to a family that has given so much to our country.”

SEM Marketing Assistant, Amanda Canale, and Customer Care Representative, Cindy Haskell, painting the playhouse’s window frames.

SEM Director of Marketing, Heidi White (left), and Marketing Assistant, Amanda Canale (right) intertwining ivy garland into the playhouse’s porch.

The SEM team took full creative control with Operation Playhouse 2022 and produced a jungle-themed playhouse for the Cutliffe family’s two small children. The playhouse, painted dark green, is adorned with bamboo, greenery, jungle-themed activity books and toys, a removable front porch with gate, and even a rope swing with jungle vines. 

“Every year, we try to take creative liberty and produce a truly unique and special playhouse,” said Amanda Canale, SEM Marketing Assistant. “Our team really outdid themselves with this year’s concept. It’s by far the most creative we have been and it was incredibly heartwarming to see it received so lovingly by the Cutliffe family.”

Members of the SEM Sales, Engineering, and Service teams working together to construct the playhouse’s roof.

 

SEM Director of Marketing, Heidi White, presenting Sgt. Christopher Cutliffe and his family with a certificate and the playhouse.

 

This is SEM’s fourth year taking part in Operation Playhouse and certainly won’t be the last. “Operation Playhouse has become a tradition here at SEM and we are eagerly awaiting next year’s opportunity,” added Kelleher.

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.

SEM Introduces New Line of Shredders for Commercial Data Center Market

September 1, 2021 at 9:00 am by Amanda Canale

Security Engineered Machinery Co., Inc. (SEM), global leader in high security information end-of-life solutions, is pleased to introduce a new line of hard drive and solid state shredder models: the SEM Model DC-S1-3 Series. This unique series of devices are specifically designed for the destruction of enterprise rotational hard drives and solid state media, such as those found in data centers. 

Designed at SEM’s Westborough, MA headquarters, the DC-S1-3 Series includes three models: the DC-S1-3 HDD for rotational hard drives, DC-S1-3 SSD for solid state drives, and DC-S1-3 HDD/SSD Combo for HDDs and SSDs. All are made in the USA and TAA compliant. 

“The DC-S1-3 series is an exciting new addition to our already extensive line of data destruction devices that was designed as a result of feedback gathered over the years from our data center clients,” commented Nicholas Cakounes, SEM CTO. “In addition to robust health and safety features, the DC-S1-3 incorporates very high torque and solid steel cutting heads to easily destroy the toughest, most dense hard drives and devices.”

The S1-3 series of devices are designed with a 3HP motor, high torque, and 3-phase power, ensuring the machines’ longevity and consistency. The S1-3 HDD and SSD both come with a single feed opening while the S1-3 HDD/SSD combo unit includes two separate feed openings and cutting chambers, one for rotational, platter-based hard drives and the other for solid state hard drives and devices. 

“Our new DC-S1-3 Series fills a gap for our data center clients when it comes to end-of-life hard drive destruction,” said Ben Figueroa, SEM Strategic Account Manager. “These devices not only offer consistent and efficient drive destruction, but also feature a compact footprint, which is so critical to our data center clients.”

In addition to rotational and solid state hard drives, the DC-S1-3 Series is ideal for the shredding of data tapes, cell phones, smartphones, optical media, memory sticks, thumb drives, PCBs, and other related electronic storage media.

For more information on the DC-S1-3 series, visit https://www.semshred.com/product/model-dc-s1-3-hdd-ssd/ and watch our YouTube video.

Announcing New Merchants Fabrication Production Supervisor

June 28, 2021 at 5:51 pm by Amanda Canale

SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass., Merchants Fabrication, Inc. (MFI), a full-service metal plate and structural shape manufacturer specializing in the machine building industry, is pleased to announce that Voytek Knara has been promoted within the company as Production Supervisor.

“Voytek has been an integral member of the MFI team for over a decade and has played a key role in our success thus far,” comments John Bernier, MFI General Manager. “This promotion could not be more deserving.”

Mr. Knara, who has been with the company for 17 years, has nearly 30 years total of manufacturing experience. His new role at MFI will allow Mr. Knara to bring his expansive knowledge of metal fabrication theory and procedure as well as mechanical troubleshooting to the production floor.

“I am both honored and thrilled to be able to continue my work at MFI in this new role, and am excited to help bring the company to the next level,” commented Mr. Knara.

MFI has extensive history and experience in sub-contract manufacturing work, specializing in the aerospace, paper, food and beverage, medical, and specialty equipment industries. Their capabilities range from custom fabrication work, prototyping, and custom design to waterjet cutting, CNC bending, welding, and more.

SEM Introduces Two Solid State Media Crushers for Commercial Data Center Market

April 13, 2021 at 8:15 am by Amanda Canale

Security Engineered Machinery Co., Inc. (SEM), global leader in high security information end-of-life solutions, is pleased to introduce two new shredder models: the SEM Model 0205NANO and the SEM Model 0205MICRO. These two unique devices are specifically designed for the destruction of solid state media, including small chips; the 0205NANO crushes the smallest of solid state media while the 0205MICRO is equipped to crush other larger solid state material.  Designed and manufactured at SEM’s Westborough, MA headquarters, both devices are TAA compliant and meet NIST 800-88 regulations.

“These are both exciting new additions to our line of destruction devices for data centers,” commented Nicholas Cakounes, SEM CTO. “The 0205 line fills what has been a very real industry need for solid state destruction devices designed specifically to destroy microchips.”

The Model 0205NANO is a mobile crusher designed to destroy the smallest forms of solid state media and microchips. The first of its kind, this revolutionary device destroys Compact Flash Type 1, SD Cards, SIM chips, SOIC-8, PLCC-32, SOIC-16, and TSOP48. Once the end-of-life data has been inserted into the device, it is crushed beyond recovery by the specially crafted and designed internal rotors, even the tiniest chips.

Similarly, the SEM Model 0205MICRO is constructed with custom-engineered solid steel rotors, an LCD touch screen interface, and portability. The 0205MICRO is a low volume, solid state crusher that crushes a wide array of various solid state media, including SSDs, thumb drives, flash and optical media, cell phones, and more.

“These revolutionary devices are the perfect additions to the commercial market, particularly data centers, when it comes to end-of-life data destruction,” said Ben Figueroa, SEM Strategic Account Manager. “The 0205NANO and 0205MICRO are two state-of-the-art, compact, clean, and portable devices that make them ideal for safeguarding sensitive information stored on microchips.”

For more information on the Model 0205NANO, visit https://www.semshred.com/product/model-0205nano/. For more information on the Model 0205MICRO, visit https://www.semshred.com/product/model-0205micro/.

 

Security Engineered Machinery Supports Asheville Man’s Budding Paper Shredder Business

January 14, 2021 at 8:30 am by Amanda Canale

Security Engineered Machinery, Co., Inc. (SEM), global leader in high security information end-of-life solutions, donated a commercial-grade paper shredder to Asheville, NC resident Austin Ferrell after seeing a local news story featuring Ferrell and his years-long passion for shredding. Ferrell, who goes by the alter-ego “Austin Shreds,” has made a name for himself in his local community by spending his free time shredding paper documents for area businesses and organizations. Ferrell operates out of an office he shares with his mother, Janet Price-Ferrell.

“As a parent of a kid with a disability, you’re always looking for something that your kid enjoys,” said Price-Ferrell. “He will shred for three or four hours a day!” Price-Ferrell added that she was ecstatic for her son to receive his new shredder, adding that “The one he was using did not keep up with him!”

An advocate for others like Austin with intellectual disabilities, Janet Price-Ferrell is also Executive Director of FIRST, a non-profit organization that provides persons with disabilities and their families with programs and advocacy to support and foster healthy, inclusive, and self-determined lives.

“All of us at SEM were so touched by Austin’s story and our shared passion for paper shredding,” added Heidi White, SEM Director of Marketing. “SEM’s heritage is in paper shredders — our company founder actually innovated the world’s first paper disintegrator — and so we wanted to show our support for this incredible young man and his business venture by sending him an equipment upgrade.”

SEM arranged for white glove shipment of a brand-new paper shredder for Ferrell to utilize. The SEM Model 2125PSP is a robust, commercial grade shredder, making it faster, more durable, and far less prone to jams than Ferrell’s existing shredder. It also offers a DIN 66399 P-5 (2mm x 15mm cross-cut) final particle size, making it a more secure shredder option for Ferrell’s blooming business.

When he received his new shredder, Austin was ecstatic to say the least. “He kept saying, ‘awesome,’” said Price-Ferrell. “He shredded for three hours straight and it never overheated.”

Those living in the Asheville, NC area can bring their paper documents to Austin Shreds for destruction in exchange for a donation. To learn more, visit the Austin Shreds Facebook page. To see Austin and the paper shredder in action, visit our YouTube page here.

Austin Ferrell of Austin Shreds
Austin Ferrell of Austin Shreds

Security Engineered Machinery Destruction Devices Showcased in Google Data Center Security Video

September 21, 2020 at 5:17 pm by Amanda Canale

Security Engineered Machinery (SEM), global leader in high security end-of-life data destruction, was recently showcased in Google’s Data Center – Security Risk and Management video. The video, which was published to YouTube, showcases Google’s abundant commitment to data protection by virtually touring visitors through each step of the multi-layered security system.

The video details the six-layer security system the protects data within all Google data centers, ranging from smart fences and patrols that surround the edges of a data center property to the critical physical destruction of hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid state drives (SSDs) once they have reached the end of their useful life. Each additional measure adds a level of complexity and specificity, as even entering the building after initial security outside requires an extra identification check and an iris scan.

The sixth and final layer, which consists of erasing and physically destroying HDDs and SSDs, is showcased at the end of the video with SEM hard drive destruction equipment. Custom engineered to Google’s specifications, the devices shred high volumes of enterprise drives into tiny strips of metal, effectively destroying the platters of the drives, rendering them completely useless.

SEM hard drive destruction equipment can be seen in use in Google’s Data Center – Security Risk and Management video.

“SEM has always been about protecting information from those who wish us harm,” said Andrew Kelleher, CEO and President of SEM. “After 50 years of working with the US Government to protect classified information, it only makes sense for our business to extend to protect individual citizens’ information as well in areas like data centers that house private, sensitive information,” Kelleher added.

The physical destruction location is referred to as “the mysterious sixth layer” by Wong, the narrator of the video. The smallest number of building personnel are allowed in this data destruction room, where drives must be passed through a locker system to even reach the inside the room.

“We are honored to have our machines in use by one of tech’s greatest innovators,” commented Ben Figueroa, Strategic Account Manager at SEM. “We pride ourselves on having the most efficient, secure end-of-life solutions for sensitive data, and to be showcased in this video by one of the world’s largest data holders is a sign we are continuing to engineer our products with the future in mind.”

SEM additionally manufactures destruction devices that are capable of destroying paper, optical media, SSDs, and other electronic media devices for commercial and government clients around the world.