Secop
Secop GmbH is a German engineering company headquartered in Flensburg that specializes in the development and production of hermetic compressors and electronic controls for refrigeration systems, serving stationary light commercial applications, mobile cooling solutions, and medical cold chains.[1][2]Originally established as part of Danfoss in the early 1950s, Secop traces its expertise in compressor technology back to pioneering developments in hermetic sealing and refrigerant compatibility, evolving from Danfoss Compressors GmbH before rebranding independently in 2010 and being acquired by Nidec Corporation in 2017.[3][4] The company maintains production facilities in Germany, Slovakia, China, and other locations, with research and development centered in sites like Gleisdorf, Austria, emphasizing energy-efficient designs compatible with low-global-warming-potential refrigerants to meet evolving environmental regulations.[5][6]
Secop's defining achievements include surpassing 60 million compressors produced across its plants by 2024, particularly at its Slovakian facility in Zlaté Moravce, and advancing variable-speed compressors that enhance efficiency in battery-powered mobile units for applications like vaccine transport.[7][8] In 2025, the firm marked 15 years of its brand identity with global initiatives highlighting its role in sustainable cooling innovations amid tightening efficiency standards.[9]
History
Origins and Founding (1951–1956)
In 1951, Danfoss initiated production of hermetic compressors in Nordborg, Denmark, marking the start of its compressor division that would later form the core of Secop's heritage.[3] This effort began with licensed manufacturing techniques for sealed units designed for household refrigeration, addressing post-World War II demands for efficient, compact cooling solutions in Europe.[4] Between 1951 and 1952, Danfoss introduced the P 101 model, dubbed the "Pancake" for its notably flat, pancake-like profile, which optimized space in refrigerators and set a precedent for modern hermetic compressor design.[3] This compressor enabled quieter, more reliable operation by enclosing the motor and piston within a welded steel casing, reducing refrigerant leaks and improving energy efficiency compared to earlier open-type systems.[4] The innovation quickly gained traction, influencing the standardization of domestic refrigeration appliances across the continent. By 1956, to capitalize on growing market demand and leverage Germany's industrial base, Danfoss founded its production facility and headquarters in Flensburg, Germany, establishing Danfoss Compressors GmbH as a dedicated subsidiary.[3] This site introduced the PW series compressor, expanding output capacity and focusing on high-volume manufacturing of hermetic units for commercial and residential applications.[4] The Flensburg operation became the epicenter for Secop's subsequent technological advancements, building on Danish prototypes to achieve economies of scale in postwar economic recovery.[3]Growth Under Danfoss Ownership (1956–2009)
In 1956, Danfoss established its compressor production facility and headquarters in Flensburg, Germany, marking the beginning of Danfoss Compressors GmbH as a dedicated subsidiary focused on hermetic compressors for household refrigeration. This relocation and expansion from earlier Danish prototypes enabled scaled manufacturing of the PW compressor model, which succeeded the initial Pancake design and facilitated widespread adoption in compact refrigerators across Europe. By 1958, full-scale production of hermetic compressors commenced in Flensburg, supporting Danfoss's integration of compressor technology with its existing valves and controls, thereby enhancing system efficiency in domestic appliances.[3] Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the company pursued technological advancements and geographic expansion to meet rising global demand for reliable, energy-efficient refrigeration. In 1970, the SC series compressors and PTC starters were introduced for light commercial applications, while production facilities were established in Zlaté Moravce, Slovakia (1970), and Crnomelj, Slovenia (1972), diversifying manufacturing beyond Germany. The 1977 launch of BD-series DC compressors pioneered battery-powered solutions for mobile refrigeration units, such as solar-powered systems in developing regions. By 1988, compressors compatible with R600a (isobutane) refrigerant were developed, aligning with emerging environmental regulations and reducing reliance on high-global-warming-potential fluids. In 1993, further R600a innovations earned the Umweltpreis award for energy-saving and eco-friendly design.[3][4] The late 1990s and 2000s saw accelerated growth through variable-speed technology and Asian market entry. The 1998 introduction of TLV variable-speed compressors improved energy efficiency by modulating operation to match cooling loads, a key advance for premium appliances. Production milestones underscored scale: 100 million units by 1989, 150 million by 1997, and 200 million by 2001. Facilities expanded with a site in Wuqing, China, in 2003, targeting Asia-Pacific demand, and further development in Slovakia in 2002. Innovations like the 2004 CO2 compressor, which won the AHR Refrigeration Innovation Award, and the 2006 PLUG & COOL™ system, another award recipient, positioned Danfoss Compressors as a leader in sustainable, hydrocarbon-based refrigeration technologies. By 2009, cumulative production exceeded 250 million units, with the Flensburg hub coordinating a network serving major OEMs worldwide.[3][4]Financial Crisis and Divestiture (2008–2010)
The global financial crisis of 2008–2009 reduced demand for household appliances worldwide, contributing to pressures on Danfoss's compressor division, which faced an overly high cost structure amid declining sales in refrigeration components.[10] Danfoss, seeking to refocus on core areas like industrial controls and commercial refrigeration following the economic downturn, initiated the divestiture of its non-core Household Compressors business.[11] [12] On July 12, 2010, Danfoss signed an agreement to sell the business to AURELIUS AG, a Munich-based private equity firm focused on restructuring underperforming industrial assets, for an undisclosed sum.[12] [13] The transaction encompassed all household compressor manufacturing and sales operations across Germany, China, Slovakia, and Slovenia, employing around 3,000 workers at sites including the headquarters in Flensburg, Germany.[12] Approval from competition authorities delayed closure until November 5, 2010.[14] Post-acquisition, the entity rebranded as Secop GmbH effective November 29, 2010, marking its independence from Danfoss after over five decades of ownership.[3] [14] The divestiture enabled Danfoss to streamline operations and contributed to a reported 35% drop in its overall sales from 2009 levels, primarily attributable to the loss of the compressor unit's revenue.[15] AURELIUS targeted cost reductions and efficiency improvements to restore profitability in the newly independent firm.[10]Brand Launch and Early Independence (2010–2018)
In November 2010, Danfoss Compressors GmbH was acquired by the German private equity firm Aurelius AG, leading to its rebranding as Secop GmbH effective November 29.[3][14] This marked the launch of the Secop brand as an independent entity focused on hermetic compressors for household and commercial refrigeration, distinct from its prior integration within the Danfoss Group.[3] The acquisition addressed Secop's inherited high cost structure from Danfoss ownership, enabling operational restructuring under private equity oversight.[10] During its early independence under Aurelius (2010–2017), Secop prioritized efficiency improvements and market expansion in eco-friendly refrigeration technologies. In 2012, it introduced the energy-optimized SCE series of propane (R290) compressors, enhancing performance for hydrocarbon refrigerants amid regulatory shifts toward low-global-warming-potential alternatives.[16] A key milestone occurred in 2013 with the acquisition of ACC Austria GmbH, a compressor manufacturer in Fürstenfeld, Austria; integration began on January 7, 2014, positioning Secop as Europe's largest independent producer of hermetic compressors and securing production continuity at the site.[3][17] Secop advanced variable-speed and DC-powered innovations to meet demands for energy efficiency in off-grid and mobile applications. In 2015, it launched a new generation of propane compressors and variable-speed platforms, alongside the BD50K DC-powered model optimized for isobutane (R600a) in solar-powered refrigeration.[3][16] The following year, 2016, saw the introduction of NLV-CN variable-speed propane compressors and celebrations of 60 years since the Flensburg facility's founding in 1956.[3][16] In 2017, expansions included the DLV variable-speed propane series, while Aurelius sold Secop to Japan's Nidec Corporation for €185 million on August 1, yielding an 11-fold return on the initial investment.[16][18] Into 2018, under nascent Nidec ownership, Secop debuted the SLVE18CN variable-speed propane compressor, continuing its trajectory in sustainable cooling solutions before subsequent restructurings.[16] This period solidified Secop's role as a specialized, standalone player in the compressor market, emphasizing R&D in natural refrigerants and electronic controls.[3]Acquisition and Restructuring (2019–Present)
In September 2019, Nidec Corporation sold Secop to the ESSVP IV private equity fund, advised by Orlando Management AG, restoring its status as an independent company focused on refrigeration compressors.[3][19] This acquisition followed Nidec's 2017 purchase of Secop and aimed to refocus operations under new ownership emphasizing industrial efficiency and core competencies.[3] Following the acquisition, Secop initiated a comprehensive restructuring in late 2019, including the discontinuation of household refrigeration compressor production at its Secop Austria GmbH facility in Fürstenfeld to streamline operations and concentrate on high-value segments.[20] The reorganization realigned the company's strategic priorities toward stationary cooling for light commercial applications and mobile cooling solutions, divesting non-core activities to enhance competitiveness in specialized markets.[21][22] By 2020, the restructuring was largely completed, coinciding with Secop's 10-year brand anniversary, and involved operational simplifications such as transferring select production lines to Slovakia and establishing a new R&D center in Gleisdorf, Austria, which created approximately 45 jobs while absorbing staff from prior sites.[22][23] These measures improved efficiency and innovation capacity, with the company launching products like the SLVE18CN variable-speed propane compressor during this period.[3] In 2021, as part of ongoing facility modernization, Secop relocated its headquarters to a new building in Flensburg, Germany, at Lise-Meitner-Straße 21, featuring an integrated R&D annex for testing and a showroom for product demonstrations, enhancing collaboration across departments previously dispersed across multiple sites.[24][25] This move supported sustained growth, evidenced by subsequent milestones such as recognition as a TOP 100 Innovator in Germany in 2023 and production of the 60 millionth compressor in Slovakia in 2024.[3]Products and Technologies
Compressor Portfolio
Secop's compressor portfolio centers on hermetic reciprocating compressors designed for light commercial refrigeration, mobile cooling, and medical applications, emphasizing energy efficiency and compatibility with low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants such as R600a (isobutane) and R290 (propane).[26] These compressors support both fixed-speed and variable-speed operations, with displacements ranging from 1.41 cm³ to 33.8 cm³, enabling cooling capacities up to 3363 W in medium back pressure (MBP) configurations.[26] The portfolio includes AC-powered models for stationary systems and DC-powered variants for mobile use, all engineered for refrigerants including R134a, R404A, R407C, R513A, R452A, R170 (ethane), and R1234yf.[26] Key series encompass the S-Series for fixed-speed AC (displacements 10.29–25 cm³) and variable-speed AC models like SLV/SLVE (15.28–17.69 cm³, capacities 403–2149 W in MBP), suited for biomedical freezers and ultra-low temperature (ULT) storage.[26] The N-Series provides fixed-speed AC options (6.13–14.65 cm³) and variable-speed NLV variants for general commercial refrigeration.[26] MN and UV series target AC-powered biomedical and ULT freezers with displacements of 11.15–12.55 cm³.[26] For mobile applications, the BD series features variable-speed DC compressors, including BD Nano (1.42–2.6 cm³, 28–69 W in low back pressure) and BD Micro, optimized for automotive, marine, and portable units with reduced size and weight.[26][27] In stationary cooling, compressors serve light commercial segments such as glass door merchandisers, ice cream freezers, food retail cabinets, beverage dispensers, and ice makers, leveraging over 65 years of development in hydrocarbon-compatible designs for reduced environmental impact.[28] Mobile solutions focus on DC-powered efficiency for vehicles, boats, trucks, and solar applications, while medical uses include cold chain logistics and ULT freezers compatible with R170 for enhanced robustness at extreme temperatures.[26][27] Variable-speed technology, refined over 25 years, allows adaptive operation to match load demands, minimizing energy consumption across hydrocarbon (HC) and HFC systems.[27]| Series | Power Type | Key Displacements (cm³) | Primary Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| S-Series (incl. SLV/SLVE) | AC fixed/variable | 10.29–25 | Biomedical freezers, ULT storage |
| N-Series (incl. NLV) | AC fixed/variable | 6.13–14.65 | Commercial refrigeration cabinets |
| MN/UV | AC fixed | 11.15–12.55 | Biomedical/ULT freezers |
| BD (incl. Nano, Micro) | DC variable | 1.41–3 | Mobile (automotive, portable), medical |