Company Snapshot
- Company: Se-Kure Controls
- Location: Illinois
- Industry: Retail Loss Prevention & Security Manufacturing
- Products: Anti-theft devices, retail security systems, convex mirrors, and safety products for retailers.
- MEP Partner: IMEC (Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center)
- Digital Marketing Partner: B2Btail
The Challenge
For more than 60 years, Se-Kure Controls has built a reputation for manufacturing innovative retail security products that improve both loss prevention and the customer shopping experience. While the company had decades of industry expertise, leadership recognized that its marketing capabilities needed to evolve to meet the expectations of today’s digital buyers.
Like many small manufacturers, Se-Kure faced a common challenge: balancing day-to-day operations with the need to modernize its marketing efforts. The company wanted to strengthen its online presence, improve search visibility, and better communicate the expertise that had made it successful for generations.
Although leadership had been aware of IMEC for years, it wasn’t until the Cook County Manufacturing Reinvented grant created an opportunity that Se-Kure decided to engage.
“We probably would have continued to be too busy to take a look, and when the grant came up, I decided to take a look and we’ve never looked back.” – Laura Greenwell, CEO of Se-Kure Controls
The IMEC Solution
Through the Cook County Manufacturing Reinvented, IMEC connected Se-Kure with the resources needed to modernize its marketing strategy while developing the skills of its internal team.
Working alongside IMEC and digital marketing partner B2Btail, Se-Kure received hands-on coaching in:
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- LinkedIn marketing
- Educational content development
- AI-assisted marketing workflows
- Interview-based content creation
- Digital thought leadership
Rather than outsourcing marketing, the IMEC approach emphasized building internal capability. The goal was to equip Se-Kure’s employees with practical skills they could continue using long after the project concluded.
According to CEO Laura Greenwell shared how the partnership transformed an inexperienced marketing team into a confident, capable one.
“IMEC has been a wonderful partnership with Se-Kure. It has trained some of my staff. It has just exploded our skill set.”
Building Internal Talent
One of the project’s greatest successes was the professional development of marketing team member Matthew.
Throughout the engagement, Matthew learned how to:
- Optimize content for search engines using SEO Yoast.
- Interview subject matter experts across the company.
- Develop engaging educational blogs and content.
- Use AI strategically to improve marketing efficiency.
- Build LinkedIn content that established industry authority.
Over the course of nearly a year, Matthew grew from a new marketer learning the fundamentals to confidently leading interviews, creating original content, and managing the company’s digital marketing initiatives independently. Team members noted not only his technical growth but also his increased confidence and ownership of the role. Laura believes those skills will continue paying dividends well into the future: “Matthew has really gained some lasting skills, a sense of confidence, a sense of pride and accomplishment. What he’s learned is going to benefit Se-Kure for years and years to come.”
Creating a Stronger Digital Presence
As Se-Kure’s internal capabilities expanded, so did the quality of its marketing.
Instead of relying on generic content, the team began producing authentic educational blogs featuring interviews with experienced employees. The new content showcased the company’s people, products, and expertise while improving search visibility and creating a more engaging experience for prospective customers.
The team also strengthened its LinkedIn strategy, explored executive thought leadership opportunities, leveraged AI to accelerate content creation, and successfully secured publication in Loss Prevention Magazine, expanding Se-Kure’s visibility within its industry.
Results
The partnership with IMEC delivered benefits that extended far beyond marketing assets.
Se-Kure now has:
- A more skilled and confident internal marketing team.
- A repeatable process for creating educational content.
- Improved SEO knowledge and digital marketing capabilities.
- Greater confidence using AI responsibly and effectively.
- Stronger LinkedIn and thought leadership strategies.
- A foundation for continued digital growth.
Perhaps most importantly, the company now possesses internal expertise that will continue generating value without relying solely on outside resources.
The IMEC Difference
For Se-Kure, IMEC provided much more than technical assistance.
The organization connected the company with trusted expertise, practical training, and experienced partners who invested in the long-term success of both the business and its employees.
Laura was particularly impressed by the personal commitment demonstrated throughout the engagement.
“Every person we dealt with was absolutely wonderful, and everybody’s goal was just to see us do well and to see us make a difference in our company.”
Looking Ahead
Today, Se-Kure is approaching marketing with renewed confidence.
The company has embraced modern digital strategies while staying true to the expertise and customer-focused values that have defined the business for decades. With a stronger team, improved digital capabilities, and a scalable marketing process, Se-Kure is well positioned for continued growth.
As Laura reflected, the transformation has changed not only how the company markets itself, but also how it thinks about technology and the future.
“I am super excited about the way that we are marketing now… Technology is actually exciting… We are able to move forward and represent ourselves and push forward some new things that are going to benefit the population we serve.”
