The company’s founding goes back to the young master fitter A.C.C. Joachims. He acquired the relevant knowledge from monk Quintenz of Strasbourg, who invented the decimal balance in 1821. Back in Hamburg, A.C.C. Joachims founded a scales factory in 1840, was the first in Germany to produce decimal balances, and sold them all over the world. After his death, the young engine fitter Frederik Vogel acquired the company in 1888. Soon after, seca became famous for its innovative developments, repeatedly setting market-driving standards over the decades. seca is still a family business today.