Site: North America

Social responsibility

Besides being beautiful, Secto Design lamps are also ethical and ecological. Please acquaint yourself with our values, production and impact on society.

Responsibility


Secto Design is committed to socially, economically and environmentally responsible production in Finland.

Trust


Secto Design appreciates the mutual longstanding trust relationship with its customers, retailers and other stakeholders.

Development


Secto Design is dedicated to continuous high-quality development of design, production and customer service.

A satellite image of Finland. Sweden, Estonia and parts of Norway, Russia are also visible.

Finland is a Nordic country in Northern Europe.

Roots firmly in Finland

In the turmoil of globalisation, Secto Design has decided to stay and develop its production in Finland. The profits would undoubtedly be higher somewhere else, but for Secto Design, manufacturing lamps in the small town of Heinola is a matter of values. With export to over 80 countries Secto Design is an inspiring example of an international business having its roots firmly in a small far-away country.

Secto Designs factory from the front with some trees, grass and small bushes in the foreground.

Sectomo, the factory, is located in Heinola.

Impact on the community

Since 2016, the Secto Design lamps have been made in our manufacturing subsidiary, Sectomo, which is also responsible for their packaging and shipping. The decision to establish our factory in Heinola village has had a considerable positive impact on the area both socially and economically. Sectomo’s 40 employees form a diverse group of professionals of different ages, genders and backgrounds. For them, finding work close to home has made staying in the town possible. In addition to our own personnel, the factory in Heinola utilises a network of local suppliers and subcontractors making Sectomo’s economic impact significant also on a larger scale.

A hand holding a nailing machine. The slats are nailed to the ring.

Each slat is nailed by hand one at a time.

Workplace safety

Our safety plan and work instructions are based on EU and national law and best practice. The safety and wellbeing of the workers are paramount. The premises are equipped with fire extinguishers and first aid kits and the escape routes are clearly marked, all in accordance with the company safety plan. All our carpenters have completed comprehensive fire safety and first aid training.

Although Secto Design lamps are mostly handmade, some parts of the manufacturing process require the utilisation of circular saws, planers, wide belt sanders and spindle moulders. The machinery is inspected, certified and maintained regularly and new carpenters are thoroughly trained in their use. All machines are provided with operating and safety instructions and the use of protective equipment such as earmuffs is supervised. Our modern, efficient dust extractor and optimally adjusted air humidity remove sawdust from the factory and keep the air fresh to breathe.

Factory work is demanding even at the best of times. The employees’ wellbeing is taken care of.  We offer physiotherapy for our personnel. At the factory, we have a well equipped onsite gym and at the head office, we provide pilates sessions once a week. Workstations at the factory are individually adjusted for each carpenter and the lighting is designed to accommodate the detailed work they do. All employees working for Secto Design and Sectomo are insured and all are part of the company health care plan.

A female factory employee holding and examining an Octo pendant lamp.

The carpenters use protective equipment.

 

At Sectomo, the employees are regarded as the best experts at their own work. The employees are encouraged to develop their own working methods and work environment. Suggestions are actively sought from the employees in order to further improve the working conditions. 

As for partners, Secto Design only uses suppliers and subcontractors who can prove that their working conditions comply with national legislation and the high ethical standards of the company.

Maintaining competency

Secto Design views its employees as its greatest assets: the high quality of the Secto Design lamps and the customer service provided by the head office all stem from the efforts of the competent personnel.

We provide continuous professional development for our personnel. In order to maintain and improve the employees’ high level of expertise, the company provides training opportunities both for carpenters and office personnel when needed or requested.

A hand sanding the top of a wooden lampshade.

The use of the high quality machinery is thoroughly instructed to the carpenters.

Safe products with high quality

Product safety, ease of use and high-quality handcraft are of great importance to Secto Design. All Secto Design products are CE marked and comply with the Declaration of Conformity. Likewise North American models comply with the C/ETL mark. Each product is labelled with an official rating plate.

The shades have been tested for fire resistance. Electrical parts are inspected by a certified electrician at the factory’s on-site test laboratory and all products with built-in LEDs are both assembled and tested by Sectomo.

A female factory employee holding a Victo pendant lamp.

Every shade is inspected several times during the manufacturing process.

 

Secto Design lamps are ready to use after attaching a country specific plug or connector. A few models require some assembly. All models come with an instruction manual and for the models that require assembly each step is clearly illustrated in the instruction manual.

The Secto Design shades are well known for their workmanship and beautiful details. Wood, being a natural material, means small variations are normal. The factory has established a list of parameters to distinct normal variation from sporadic defects. To ensure the highest quality all products are inspected 8-10 times during the manufacturing process.

A collection of lampstands with packed cables.

The electric parts are packed carefully.

A close-up of birch bark in summer. A Finnish forest in the background.

Secto Design lamps are made of Finnish birch.

Social responsibility ›

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