LEXINGTON – The Mansfield Screw Machine Products Company has been acquired by the Swagelok Company of Solon.
Swagelok intends to retain all the longtime Lexington-based manufacturer’s nearly 30 employees in the transition and hopes to add more positions in the future, according to Swagelok director of global brand and communication strategy Theresa Polachek.
“Our intention was always to retain all employees. We hired all Mansfield Screw Company employees, and we are currently hiring CNC and Conventional Machine Operators to expand the team at Mansfield,” Polachek said Friday. “We are excited about expanding our highly-skilled workforce.”
Swagelok acquired Mansfield Screw Machine, 145 Industrial Dr., Monday, April 30, and the signage outside the building was updated June 16.
Founded in 1947 by Fred A. Lennon, Swagelok develops fluid system products for the oil and gas, chemical and petrochemical and semiconductor industries, among others.
“The addition of Mansfield Screw Machine will help strengthen Swagelok’s supply chain by providing increased production capacity for components used primarily in the company’s valves and quick-connect fittings,” Polachek said.
Mansfield Screw Machine was a longtime supplier for Swagelok, according to one of the company’s fourth-generation owners Rick Witchey III.
“They have been a significant customer of ours for a number of years, and as they continued to grow as a customer, they continued to ask for more,” he said.
The decision to sell the family-business wasn’t an easy decision or one that was taken lightly, Witchey said. He and his brother, Steve, made the move after six months of discussions about the sale and years of working with Swagelok as a customer.
“The timing was right, and it presented the best opportunity for our employees moving forward,” said Rick Witchey.
He felt at ease knowing all the employees were expected to be retained and further expansion would be possible for the now 50,000 square-foot facility.
“There’s room and space to expand,” Witchey said. “We own two lots. One is undeveloped.”
Mansfield Screw Machine was founded by Steve and Rick’s great-great uncle Joseph L. Witchey in 1945 on Orchard Street in Mansfield. It served as a supplier for Westinghouse and Tappan. Richard Witchey I and Richard Witchey II then led the business. They were Steve and Rick’s grandfather and father, respectively.
“It’s true family business,” Rick Witchey said.
The company moved to the Lexington Industrial Park in 1980, where it specialized in custom machined components like valves and fittings for the oil and gas and semiconductor and medical industries.
Rick and Steve both plan to stay with Swagelok during the transition.
For more information about Swagelok, visit our website at www.swagelok.com.
