Humble Beginnings in the Mailroom
In 1983, Laura Greenwell joined Se-Kure Controls as a part-time high school student. Back then, the company was small, and everyone wore many hats. Laura started out running errands, stuffing envelopes, and delivering paperwork between departments. When the office work slowed down, she rolled up her sleeves and helped on the production floor—gluing sensors, soldering wires, and even taking inventory.
This wasn’t just a job. It became her second home. Laura quickly learned that at Se-Kure, hard work, teamwork, and curiosity were the keys to success. She never said “that’s not my job.” She took every chance to learn new things, and over the years, she worked in nearly every part of the business.
Though she started college with dreams of becoming a lawyer, her love for Se-Kure kept her close. She changed her major to psychology and minored in law—skills that would later help her lead people with empathy and insight.
“I just never stopped learning,” Laura says. “And I never stopped volunteering for what needed to be done.”
A Founder with a Vision for Loss Prevention
Before there was Se-Kure, there was Roger Layden, a man with a vision and a car full of mirrors. Roger once sold construction equipment, but during his lunch breaks, he noticed something that would change his life. When walking through drugstores, he’d often see empty candy wrappers or products missing from shelves. He realized these stores had blind spots. Shoplifters were taking advantage, and store owners had no way to stop it.
Roger knew there had to be a better way. So, he found a mirror supplier, loaded up his car, and drove store to store across the Midwest. He’d walk into a pharmacy, hold up a mirror, and say, “Now you can see what’s happening in that aisle.” Retailers quickly saw the value.
Roger didn’t stop at mirrors. He designed the first one-way viewer, and later the “court control,” a product that helped protect items from theft. In 1965, Se-Kure Controls was born. A year later, it became official.
Roger’s motto—“Quality through design”—still guides the company today.
From Candy Wrappers to Custom Security Solutions
Over the years, Se-Kure grew from a mirror company to a trusted name in retail loss prevention. In 1998, Se-Kure even bought the original mirror company Roger had worked with. That Michigan facility is still running today. It’s where Se-Kure makes its mirrors from start to finish, shaping raw acrylic, metallizing it, adding trim, and assembling every part in the USA.
Se-Kure’s product line has evolved, but the mission has remained the same. Today, the company offers custom security solutions like tethering devices and tamper-proof screws—designed and manufactured in-house.
“We don’t actually make locks,” Laura explains, “but we do make our own tamper-proof screws. That way, we can protect products better because they use custom parts that can’t be bought in a store.”
What makes Se-Kure unique is their ability to respond to real needs. When retailers change store layouts, Se-Kure adapts. When new products hit the shelves, Se-Kure finds new ways to protect them.
Leading with Integrity and Heart
Laura never planned to be President. In fact, early in her career, she thought she might become a stay-at-home mom. But she loved her work—and the people. So, she stayed. Decades later, she’s now leading the company she grew up in.
What makes her leadership special is her heart. Laura is part of a Christian leadership group that mentors business owners to lead with faith, character, and care. The lessons she’s learned there influence every part of her role.
“We’re not just a company that makes metal or plastic pieces,” she says. “We care about people. Our team knows they matter, and that their work matters too.”
At Se-Kure, people come first—whether it’s long-time employees, loyal customers, or new partners. Many staff have stayed with the company for decades. That kind of loyalty doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of a people-first culture built on trust and respect.
Continuing Se-Kure’s 60-Year Legacy
Now in its 60th year, Se-Kure is proud of its history—but even more excited for the future.
While the company has long served retail stores, it’s now expanding into institutions like schools, hospitals, and post offices. These places need safety and security too, and Se-Kure’s experience makes them the perfect partner.
“We’ve built this business on helping retailers,” Laura says. “But we also see big opportunities to help institutions. As long as we stay true to our values, I believe we’ll do well.”
From mirrors to tamper-proof screws, from corner stores to college campuses—Se-Kure continues to grow, innovate, and serve.
Advice to the Next Generation
As a proud mom and now grandmother, Laura has advice for young women—especially those dreaming of leadership roles in industries like manufacturing:
“Don’t be discouraged,” she says. “Learn everything you can. Take every opportunity. Even if a job seems small, do it well. That’s how you grow.”
She believes starting in the mailroom builds character. “When you know every part of the business, you care more. You make better decisions. And one day, you might surprise yourself and end up in the President’s chair.”
Final Thoughts
Laura’s story is more than a personal journey. It’s a reflection of Se-Kure Controls itself—a company built on values, grown through trust, and driven by a deep sense of purpose. In a world where flash fades fast, Se-Kure stands tall as a company that’s as real as its people. Continuing Se-Kure’s 60-Year Legacy, Laura and her team remain focused on delivering innovation with integrity, while always putting people first.
If you’re looking for a partner that combines long-term vision with everyday reliability, Se-Kure Controls is ready to help you protect what matters most.
