President and CEO Steve Capshaw poses for a photo at NE-XT Technologies, formerly known as Valley Steel Stamp, in Greenfield. STAFF PHOTO/MARY BYRNE
President and CEO Steve Capshaw and Vice President of Human Relations Katie Szelewicki pose for a photo at Valley Steel Stamp, which recently rebranded as NE-XT Technologies. STAFF PHOTO/MARY BYRNE Fixture Gauge
GREENFIELD — After being known for more than 50 years as Valley Steel Stamp, the manufacturing company on Greenfield Street has rebranded itself with a new name, NE-XT Technologies.
“We felt that NE-XT Technologies really spoke to … our employees, the next iteration of the company and that we’re advancing,” said President and CEO Steve Capshaw. “We feel like a lot of people in aerospace are dissatisfied with their vendors. It speaks to how ‘We can be the next solution for you.’”
“We’re always looking at what we can do next,” added Katie Szelewicki, vice president of human relations.
Szelewicki said as part of the rebrand, the company plans to get out into the community more.
Valley Steel Stamp was founded in 1971 by Capshaw’s father, William Capshaw. In 52 years, the company — which manufactures components and assemblies for applications in aerospace, defense and other industries — has grown from one employee to having more than 200 skilled engineers and machinists, with plans to grow further in the coming years.
“In 2010, we started investing heavily in new technologies to become a leader in high-production machining capabilities for all industries,” Capshaw said. “We intend to continue a very aggressive growth rate in the years to come, organically and through strategic acquisitions, so the time is right for a rebrand.”
Capshaw said the company is physically “at capacity” and, on account of limited space in Greenfield, future expansion will likely be outside the city.
“We plan to be at 500 employees within three years,” he said. “We continue to want it to be here, but it’s very difficult. … The town has not been productive at expanding the industrial park.”
Over the summer, Mayor Roxann Wedegartner proposed changing the zoning for 48 acres, or 11 parcels, located on the French King Highway from General Commercial, which provides for mixed retail, to Planned Industry (PI), which is meant for manufacturing and industrial development. The proposed expansion of the industrial development zone, however, was voted down in December 2022 after a lengthy discussion among city councilors.
A revised plan, presented by Planning and Development Director Eric Twarog on March 2, reduces the original proposal by five parcels, or 7.22 acres, for a total of six rezoned parcels over 40.98 acres on the French King Highway. The rezoned parcels would be changed from General Commercial to Planned Industry.
Changes to the proposal stemmed from City Council’s concerns regarding the city’s need for housing. The new plan would leave the five parcels across from Stop & Shop on King and Gill roads in the General Commercial zone, which allows both retail and residential uses.
Capshaw said his company, which recently withdrew the plans it had submitted to the Conservation Commission for a 12,700-square-foot addition to connect two existing buildings, still plans to continue efforts to add additional parking spaces to accommodate employee needs. Capshaw said while the company would prefer to stay in Greenfield as it looks to expand, he is considering other places in “Aerospace Alley,” which extends from northern Connecticut on Interstate 91 through Hampden County. Szelewicki clarified that the facility in Greenfield would remain home to NE-XT Technologies.
“If we can’t remain here, where our employee base is, we may as well open facilities in that direction,” Capshaw said. “We’re touring and looking at facilities basically in northern Connecticut.”
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.
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