Portugal's Vangest ramps up titanium production for Saab Gripen jets

Vangest's Marinha Grande plant, covering 43,000 sqm with eight pavilions, employs about 350 workers, 70 of whom are in the aerospace division. The facility manufactures precision titanium components for the Saab Gripen fighter, featuring a challenging geometry of just 1.27 mm at one end. Production cycles currently take between six and nine hours per piece, and the company aims to double its output to 200 parts by the end of August.

The company is also pursuing qualification to join Airbus's supplier list while already supplying parts to Portuguese aerospace firm OGMA. Materials processed include aluminum, stainless steel, high‑hardness steel and treated alloys, reflecting the high‑stress requirements of jet aircraft. Vangest plans to optimise its CNC processes to meet tighter deadlines and expand its role in the aerospace supply chain.