Salient Motion Opened Saginaw Manufacturing Facility
The Hawthorne-based company launched a division to produce precision parts for aerospace and industrial use.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Manufacturing
Live Poll
Is now the right time to prioritize domestic manufacturing over lower-cost international suppliers?
Salient Motion Inc. has launched a new precision parts division and opened a manufacturing facility in Saginaw, Michigan. The expansion aims to address domestic shortages by producing ball and roller screws.
Why it matters
The company intends to reduce wait times for custom actuators from years to roughly eight weeks. This move seeks to bypass current supply chain bottlenecks, as domestic suppliers are currently overwhelmed by demand.
Salient Motion expects the facility to produce 50,000 ball screws annually once it reaches full capacity by 2027. Individual ball screws can currently cost over $1,000 and take up to a year to manufacture.
The players
Salient Motion Inc.
This Hawthorne-based engineering firm focuses on advanced motion control technologies and aerospace hardware.
Garrett O'Brien
He is the division lead overseeing the company's new precision parts operations.
Boeing
This multinational aerospace corporation designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, and satellites.
Aviointeriors
This company is a leading manufacturer of aircraft cabin interiors and passenger seating solutions.
The details
The new division, led by Garrett O'Brien, utilizes a vertically integrated assembly line to streamline the production of ball and roller screws. This platform supports the company's existing partnerships with Boeing and Aviointeriors.
Timeline
Salient Motion was founded in 2022.
The company raised $12 million in venture capital in October 2024.
Boeing collaborations were secured in January 2026.
An Aviointeriors collaboration was secured in February 2026.
The Saginaw facility is expected to reach capacity by 2027.
Market Landscape
This facility represents a strategic effort to reclaim supply chain sovereignty in a market where China currently controls 90% of ball screw production. By vertically integrating, Salient Motion positions itself to compete with established global suppliers that struggle to meet current aerospace demand.
The establishment of local manufacturing may eventually lower costs and increase component availability for domestic aerospace manufacturers. Customers in the aviation sector should see reduced lead times for custom actuator projects as production scales over the next two years.
The takeaway
The move demonstrates how venture-backed firms are targeting critical supply chain gaps to capture market share. By shortening production cycles, the company provides a model for addressing industrial bottlenecks.
Further reading
Learn more about local industry trends in the Manufacturing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Los Angeles Business Journal.
Live Poll
Is now the right time to prioritize domestic manufacturing over lower-cost international suppliers?
