GREENFIELD — NE-XT Technologies, formerly known as Valley Steel Stamp, recently acquired Windsor, Connecticut-based Leipold Inc., a high-precision manufacturing company for turned parts.

“We are excited to welcome Leipold Inc. into the NE-XT family,” said Steve Capshaw, president and CEO of NE-XT Technologies, noting that Leipold Inc.’s existing employees will be retained under new ownership. “This acquisition aligns with our strategy to expand our market reach and diversify our offerings to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

Capshaw said the company is physically “at capacity” and, on account of limited space in Greenfield, was forced to look elsewhere in “Aerospace Alley,” which extends from northern Connecticut on Interstate 91 through the Pioneer Valley. However, the company’s headquarters will remain at 15 Greenfield St.

“We’ve been growing for a long time, and pretty much exclusively in Greenfield since 1971,” he said. “I was pretty disappointed by the town’s decision not to let us grow on our current property.”

Capshaw said the company’s previously proposed expansion, a 12,700-square-foot addition to connect two existing buildings, failed to receive approval from the Conservation Commission and was ultimately withdrawn. He did, however, proceed with plans to expand parking at the Greenfield Street property.

“We’d still love a local option to grow but with it not being available, we had to look elsewhere,” he said.

NE-XT Technologies was founded as Valley Steel Stamp 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.

Since 1971, the company has expanded on several occasions within Greenfield, most recently in 2018, he said. Whether NE-XT Technologies is able to grow within the city in the future will be “up to the town as a partner,” he said.

“The town is challenged with land, but there are other opportunities that we hope will come up in the future and we will absolutely take advantage,” Capshaw said.

One of those opportunities arose last summer, when 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, 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.

After a public hearing earlier this month, the Planning Board is expected to deliberate on the proposal at its June 1 meeting at the John Zon Community Center.

Capshaw said after more than five decades in the market, he hopes to see NE-XT Technologies continue for another 50 years.

“We’re excited to be Greenfield-based and continuing to grow,” Capshaw said, crediting his employees. “There’s no way we’d be in this position without our team.”

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.

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