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Velo3D Triples Capacity With New Livermore Manufacturing Facility

Velo3D opens a 288,747-sq-ft Livermore campus to expand metal additive manufacturing for aerospace and defense.

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Metal additive manufacturing provider Velo3D is tripling its production capacity with a new 288,747-square-foot facility in Livermore, California, aiming to support the aerospace and defense sectors as they transition from prototyping to full-scale 3D-printed component production.

In a press release issued on June 30, 2026, the company detailed plans to bring the new production campus online later this year. The expansion creates one of the largest metal additive manufacturing footprints in North America, while Velo3D retains its existing Fremont, California, headquarters as a dedicated research and development hub.

Facility specifications and production scale

The Livermore site dedicates 270,000 square feet specifically to manufacturing operations. The building features 36-foot clear heights, providing nearly 10 million cubic feet of vertical volume required to house the company’s large-format additive manufacturing systems.

At launch, the facility is designed to support more than 40 large-format systems. The site infrastructure allows for future expansion to accommodate over 100 metal 3D printers. Combined with the Fremont location, Velo3D will have the capacity to support a total of 125 machines.

“We believe additive manufacturing should be accessible, scalable, and production-ready,” said Michelle Sidwell, Chief Revenue Officer at Velo3D.

Aerospace and defense market momentum

The physical expansion follows a period of revenue growth driven by defense and aerospace contractors adopting the company’s Rapid Production Solutions (RPS) and Sapphire metal 3D printers. In May 2026, Velo3D reported first-quarter revenue of $13.8 million, representing a 48 percent year-over-year increase.

Earlier in 2026, the company secured an $11.5 million multi-year production agreement with a major U.S. defense contractor. This followed a February 10, 2026, announcement that Velo3D was selected as the first qualified additive manufacturing provider for the U.S. Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center.

Financial analysts have noted the company’s alignment with domestic manufacturing initiatives. On June 25, 2026, Needham analyst Austin Bohlig initiated coverage of Velo3D with a Buy rating and a $33 price target, forecasting $65 million in revenue for 2026.

“We believe the company’s leading metal additive manufacturing platform is becoming a critical enabling technology for the reindustrialization of the U.S. aerospace and defense (A&D) industrial base,” Bohlig stated.

Market positioning and conflicting outlooks

On June 29, 2026, Velo3D was officially added to the Russell 3000 Index and the Russell Microcap Index. Chief Executive Officer Arun Jeldi indicated the inclusion is intended to broaden the company’s visibility among institutional investments.

AirPro News analysis

We observe a sharp divergence in market sentiment surrounding Velo3D’s growth trajectory. While the company is executing tangible physical expansions and securing multi-million dollar defense contracts, it faces aggressive skepticism from some market participants. The simultaneous June 25, 2026, release of Needham’s bullish forecast and a bearish short-seller report from Morpheus Research highlights this tension. Morpheus characterized the business as a “promotional grift,” contrasting starkly with the company’s reported 17.2 percent gross margin improvements and transition to full-scale production. The successful activation and utilization of the Livermore facility later in 2026 will likely serve as the primary indicator of whether the aerospace supply chain can sustain this expanded capacity.

Sources: Velo3D, Inc. / PR Newswire

Photo Credit: Velo3D

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MRO & Manufacturing

Safran Nacelles Delivers 5000th A320neo Nacelle

Safran Nacelles hits 5,000 A320neo nacelles with 100% on-time delivery and plans to scale output to 1,000 units per year.

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Safran Nacelles has delivered its 5,000th nacelle for the Airbus A320neo program, maintaining a 100 percent on-time delivery rate as the manufacturer prepares to scale production to 1,000 units annually.

The milestone was celebrated on June 30, 2026, at Safran’s Colomiers facility near the Airbus final assembly line in Toulouse, France. According to a company press release, the achievement highlights the rapid production ramp-up required to support Airbus amid ongoing global Supply-Chain pressures.

Scaling production and supply chain performance

Safran Nacelles, working in conjunction with Middle River Aerostructure Systems, has insulated its A320neo nacelle output from broader industry bottlenecks. The company reported a flawless on-time Delivery record for the program to date, a metric it intends to protect as output increases.

What we are experiencing with the A320neo is unprecedented. This 5,000th Nacelle marks an important milestone and demonstrates the exceptional momentum of the programme. As demand continues to grow, we are preparing to produce up to 1,000 nacelles per year to support Airbus and Airlines around the world.

The statement from Safran Nacelles CEO Vincent Caro underscores the pressure on Tier 1 suppliers to match the pace of aircraft original equipment OEMs as they work through historic backlogs.

Airbus delivery targets and backlog pressure

The push for 1,000 nacelles per year aligns directly with Airbus’s aggressive production schedules. The European airframer is targeting 870 Commercial-Aircraft deliveries in 2026. Through the end of May 2026, Airbus had handed over 262 aircraft to 68 customers, including 81 deliveries in May alone.

The Airbus A320 family recently surpassed 20,000 total orders, cementing its status as a primary revenue driver for both Airbus and its supply chain partners. Fulfilling this backlog requires synchronized output across all major component providers, making nacelle availability a critical factor in final assembly.

AirPro News analysis

We view Safran’s 100 percent on-time delivery rate as a notable outlier in an aerospace supply chain otherwise defined by chronic delays and material shortages. Achieving a production rate of 1,000 nacelles annually will test the resilience of Safran’s sub-tier suppliers. If the company can maintain its delivery metrics at that volume, it will remove a critical potential chokepoint for Airbus as the airframer chases its 870-aircraft target for 2026.

Sources: Safran Group

Photo Credit: Safran Group

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MRO & Manufacturing

FTG Opens First India Facility in Hyderabad Aerospace Park

Firan Technology Group opened its Hyderabad facility on June 29, 2026, producing avionics and cockpit electronics for global OEMs.

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Firan Technology Group Corporation (FTG) officially opened its first Indian manufacturing facility on June 29, 2026, establishing a new production hub for cockpit and avionics components within the GMR Aerospace and Industrial Park in Hyderabad.

Announced via a company press release, the FTG Aerospace Hyderabad facility culminates a three-year strategic effort to expand the Canadian manufacturer’s global footprint. The new site provides low-cost capacity to support Western demand for commercial and defense aerospace products while mitigating risks associated with restrictive trade policies in other global markets.

Strategic expansion and local integration

The customized Built-to-Suit unit was developed by GMR Hyderabad Aviation SEZ Limited (GHASL). It is situated within a 277-acre aerospace and industrial park, integrating FTG into an established airport-led ecosystem. The facility will focus on designing and manufacturing high-reliability printed circuit boards (PCBs), illuminated cockpit products, electronic assemblies, and cockpit interface electronics for global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

In the press release, FTG President and CEO Brad Bourne described the opening as a strategic milestone for the company.

“GMR’s world-class Built-to-Suit infrastructure and integrated, airport-led ecosystem give us an ideal platform to deliver the high-reliability avionics and cockpit interface electronics our global OEM customers depend on,” Bourne stated.

Bourne also noted that significant work remains to fully operationalize the site. The company is currently focused on adding and training staff, securing necessary industry certifications, obtaining customer approvals, and ramping up production.

Aligning with domestic manufacturing initiatives

The Hyderabad operation brings FTG’s manufacturing presence to four countries, joining existing facilities in Canada, the United States, and China. The expansion aligns directly with the Indian government’s “Make in India” policy, positioning the company to serve both domestic defense requirements and international export markets.

Aman Kapoor, CEO of GMR Airport Land Development, stated that the launch marks a significant step in building a globally competitive aerospace manufacturing ecosystem in the region. Kapoor emphasized that FTG’s presence will strengthen domestic supply chains and advance indigenization efforts, further cementing Hyderabad as a primary hub for aerospace and industrial innovation.

AirPro News analysis

We view FTG’s expansion into India as a calculated hedge against ongoing geopolitical and trade friction. By establishing a secondary low-cost manufacturing base outside of China, FTG provides its Western aerospace and defense customers with a more resilient supply chain. The choice of Hyderabad specifically leverages an existing aerospace cluster, which should help accelerate the complex certification and approval processes required for aviation electronics production.

Sources: Firan Technology Group Corporation

Photo Credit: The Hindu

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MRO & Manufacturing

Embraer Acquires Full Ownership of EZ Air Interior

Embraer buys remaining 50% of EZ Air from Safran Cabin to secure E-Jet cabin supply ahead of a major production ramp-up.

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Embraer has taken full ownership of its interior components supplier, EZ Air Interior Limited, acquiring the remaining 50 percent stake from Safran Cabin on July 1, 2026, to secure its supply chain amid a major production ramp-up.

The transaction, announced in a company press release, gives the Brazilian aerospace manufacturers complete control over the production of critical cabin elements for its E-Jets family. The agreement also includes the integration of specific Safran Cabin operations located in Jacareí, Brazil, into Embraer’s manufacturing footprint.

Consolidating the cabin supply chain

Established in 2012 in Chihuahua, Mexico, EZ Air was originally formed as a joint venture between Embraer and C&D, a company that was later absorbed into Safran Cabin. The Chihuahua facility specializes in manufacturing essential interior components, including luggage bins, galleys, lavatories, and floor panels for commercial-aircraft.

Embraer President and Chief Executive Officer Francisco Gomes Neto stated the acquisition aligns with the company’s strategy to expand operations in both the short and long term, while continuously evaluating opportunities to create value for stakeholders.

“I would like to thank Safran Cabin for this successful long-term partnership and warmly welcome the new colleagues joining Embraer. Together, we will continue to deliver excellence driven by safety, quality, efficiency and sustainability,” Gomes Neto said.

Production targets and backlog pressures

Embraer is actively working to stabilize its supply-chain to meet a record firm order backlog, which reached $32.1 billion in the first quarter of 2026. The manufacturer is targeting an annual production rate of approximately 100 E-Jet aircraft by 2027 or 2028.

Securing full ownership of EZ Air mitigates execution risks as Embraer increases the output of its E175 and E2 family aircraft. By bringing the production of critical interior components entirely in-house, the company aims to insulate its final assembly lines from external supplier delays.

AirPro News analysis

We view this acquisition as a defensive vertical integration move typical of the current aerospace manufacturing environment. With global supply chains remaining fragile, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are increasingly bringing critical component production in-house to prevent bottlenecks. By taking full control of EZ Air, Embraer eliminates a potential single point of failure in its E-Jet assembly line, ensuring that cabin interior shortages do not derail its ambitious delivery targets over the next two years.

Sources: Embraer

Photo Credit: Embraer

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