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1929

The company navigates through the world economic crisis while Germany still struggles to recover from its incredible debt following the war.

1933

When the Nazis seize power, the company is forced to delete the name “Simon” from its company title for this time period due to Simon’s Jewish heritage.

1940

SECO helps managing director Heinrich Steinfeld when he is forced to emigrate to the United States because of his Jewish background.

1945

The Leybold building in Tokyo is destroyed by Allied bombs.

SECO’s trading activities come to a virtual stand still at the end of war.

1946

The company is dispossessed of its assets in Japan. German staff of SECO and Leybold are forced to leave the country

1948

Thanks to the currency reform and the German upswing, SECO can slowly resume trading with various Asian countries from its German base.