Neeltran Grant Promotes Growth In New Milford [Litchfield County Times]

June 23, 2014

By ALICE TESSIER | Litchfield County Times

NEW MILFORD — Neeltran Inc. has received state funding to further its expansion plans in town.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced earlier this month that the funding supports the manufacturing company’s purchase of machinery and equipment and renovation and expansion of its facility, located at 71 Pickett District Road.

Neeltran, a family-owned company, is a top manufacturer of transformers and power supplies.

“For nearly 40 years, Neeltran Inc. has been leading by example, both by setting the standard within the power supply industry and for its corporate citizenship in New Milford,” the governor stated. “Neeltran, one of the few family-owned and operated companies in its field, has been recognized for creating jobs, its civic engagement, its collaborative spirit, and for its leadership in improving and growing the region. I’m proud that we will support their continued growth.”

This is Neeltran’s third expansion in New Milford in recent years. It expanded in 2006 and again in 2010, said Antonio Capanna Jr., the company’s president and chief operating officer, in an interview Tuesday.

“The current project brings it to 95,000 square feet,” he said. “The high-bay building for heavy-duty manufacturing, with a 40-foot ceiling,” is nearly finished.

The total cost of the expansion project, which “will retain 119 jobs and create 10 new jobs,” according to the news release, is $1.75 million, including company funds and bank financing.

The state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) will provide a $750,000, 10-year loan at 2 percent interest and it will “forgive” $150,000 of that amount if Neeltran retains and creates jobs, as indicated above, according to the release.

“The state and local governments have been instrumental in assisting Neeltran in its growth,” Mr. Capanna Jr. stated in the release. “Neeltran employs a very talented Connecticut work force, and this loan will allow sales expansion in our North American territory and expand global exports.”

On its website, www.neeltran.com, the company states that “We are dedicated to our customers and employees. Our goal is to provide our customers with the best quality products and services offered in our industry and we are focused on continuously improving our products, employee skills, and facility. We have invested in engineering, technology, infrastructure, and human resources. In 2010, we completed a facility expansion that increased our manufacturing footprint and capacity to 85,000 square feet in support of our strong and consistent growth.”

In an interview this week, Mr. Cappana Jr. said of Neeltran’s decision to expand its facility in New Milford, “New Milford is a very friendly town to do business in. It’s very pro-business and has been for quite some time. The mayor’s [Patricia Murphy] has been great. She’s very positive, and the town boards have been good to us. Also, the Super 7 [highway] expansion makes it easier to attract talent.”

“This is a great example of the public-private partnership at work. DECD partners with a business and its bank, fills in the investment gap, and spurs economic development by getting a project off the ground,” said DECD commissioner Catherine Smith. “DECD is supporting the company’s 6,000-square-foot addition and purchase of new machinery and equipment and in the process helping the company grow high-quality jobs here at home and develop its competitive edge in the global market.”

Area legislators, who are local residents, also offered comment on the funding.

State Sen. Clark Chapin (R-30) stated, “Neeltran is a strong local business that supports hundreds of families in our region. By securing the support needed to further advance business, Neeltran can now focus on the creation of new jobs and opportunities that will benefit our entire community. I applaud the company on their successes, and I thank the state for recognizing the potential for continued growth.”

State Rep. Cecilia Buck-Taylor (R-67) stated, “We have always appreciated Neeltran, Inc. choosing New Milford as its home base. It has been a great partner in our community.

“This type of investment by the state in companies such as Neeltran spur larger and measurable advances in our local and regional economies,” she continued. “These investments help anchor employers like Neeltran push forward in their respective marketplaces thereby creating jobs that will help support families and the small businesses in New Milford and statewide.”

According to the news release, the company “with more than 200,000 units installed both domestically and internationally, … is one of the leading manufacturers of custom transformers, rectifiers, and DC power supplies.” It “offers complete power systems, parts, troubleshooting products, as well as services like studies, training, repair, and installation.”

The company states on its website that “we are uniquely positioned because we are one of the few companies in the world that designs and manufactures its own rectifier-transformers and rectifiers in the same facility under one management team. This unique capability allows for combined Full Current and Full Voltage factory testing of the transformer and rectifier in their actual configuration prior to shipment.”

Mr. Capanna Jr. explained in simpler terms that the company’s “main product is a DC product line. It’s a transformer on the front end, and the rectifier takes AC voltage to DC.”

“An experienced client requires combined testing to eliminate integration problems at the site and to assure the shortest commissioning time,” according to the company’s website. “This results in significant cost savings and produces the highest quality units. Most other Power Electronic System integrators purchase the Rectifier-Transformer from the least expensive sub-contractor, or they manufacture key system components in different geographic locations which operate under different management objectives.”

Neeltran’s clients are, “typically, mining companies, chemical producers and a bit of military,” said Mr. Capanna Jr.

The company was founded in 1973 and was bought by Antonio Capanna Sr. in 1983, when there were eight employees, said his son. The business moved from Brookfield to New Milford in 1992.

“We doubled our square footage right off the bat and had more property,” said Mr. Capanna Jr., who went to work at Neeltran full time in 1988. “My first job was throwing out the garbage, literally, and I’ve been there now ever since college,” he said.

The company now has about 120 employees, and his father, in addition to being owner, serves as chief executive officer and chairman of the board, according to Mr. Capanna Jr., who noted that they both are Brookfield residents.

Commenting on Neeltran’s growth, Mr. Capanna Jr. said, “It takes a lot of work.”