Our history

Founded in 1947 by Auguste GILLES

Founded in 1947 by Auguste GILLES, SECATOL was at the very beginning a small repair workshop for car radiators, situated in Poitiers urban area. A short while later, SECATOL worked on 2 development axes: the general steel metal and boiler-making industry and the design, manufacture and sale of handling equipment, especially towards the construction and civil engineering industry.

SECATOL concrete skip workshop

1950 : The first concrete skips

From the very start of the 50’s, the first CONCRETE SKIPS for cranes were born. Lots of skip designs were patented. From this time, SECATOL‘s strategy has been to focus on innovation in order to always be in the position to offer the products the customer requires. As a consequence, a large range of products has been created, meeting the requirements of actors from aross the industry: construction industry companies, civil engineering companies, prefabrication companies, wholesalers, etc.

SECATOL workshop in 1952 with 113 tipping skips and 114 bottom opening skips

1957 : The move

Because of an important and permanent development, in 1957, SECATOL moved to Saint-Benoît, near Poitiers, into a large and modern plant, where all the activity is still centralized. Over the years, new buildings have been added and new production machinery has been installed.

SECATOL moved to the outskirts of Poitiers in 1957

A large range of new products has been developed such as the concrete skips with discharge hose. The concrete or mortar agitating hoppers, have a recognizable design and are widely used on prestigious building sites all over the world, making SECATOL the leader for concrete handling equipment.

Historical aerial view of SECATOL

1988 : Taken over by the founder's children and modernization

In 1988, the founder’s children who had been employed for more than 15 years at SECATOL, took over the business. Steps were taken towards modernizing and investing into the company in order to improve the quality of our products and to make them even more competitive. The purchase of a laser-cut machine, a bending machine with digital remote control and a soldering machine, already in 1989 reflects perfectly our expectations and rationalizes our production.Those machines have been replaced by the latest ones, with a higher performance and more in adequacy with our production.

In 1988 the children of the founders took over SECATOL

At the end of the 90’s, we were developing our Research and Development means through the purchase of a new software, Solid Edge, and the hiring of a “products manager” in order to improve our products according to the information our customers give us and to follow the evolution of their needs and requirements. We are constantly focused on innovation. We develop our brand recognition through the offer of new products or through the improvement of existing products for more security, ergonomics, and cleanliness to take into account the environment prerogatives. This is why, for several years, we have been launching new products aimed at avoiding pollution risks on the building sites due to the use of oils, sludge…

Bespoke SECATOL agitating hoppers

2011, takeover of the company by the 3rd generation

SECATOL takeover in 2011 by the third generation

In 2007, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of SECATOL. Yves-Noël & Claude GILLES handed over the family business to the third generation in 2011.

The challenge continues and we are proud to carry on August GILLES’ ideals such as constant innovation, always listening to our customers, competitivity and always prioritising quality.

R&D department

For many years SECATOL has developed its own R&D department with human and technological means to suit our customer requirements.

Our R&D department is currently working with state-of-the-art computer assisted conception and production tools (software CAO DAO 3D, load and resistance computing system…).

Our R&D department has an all-rounder team concerned by our customer’s specific needs and always puts its whole experience into carrying out the projects.

We are constantly after our customers’ satisfaction and after our brand image development by offering new products or improvement on existing products, taking into account efficiency, safety and environmental issues.

SECATOL R&D department

Innovation is our daily concern 

Find SECATOL products around the world

SECATOL sales assistant

Let's talk about you

Do you have a question about one of our products? Do you need a quotation or a product especially designed for you? Our technical and sales teams would love to speak with you.

Please don't hesitate to contact us!