In early July, under the scorching sun of Shiyan, Li Guangyuan, the assembly team leader at Dongfeng Dragon Engine Co., Ltd., arrived early at the company to prepare for the day’s production.
For the past two months, Li has maintained this rhythm, especially since late June when Dongfeng Dragon Engine was tasked with completing the delivery of 1,058 Dragon Engine 3.0 gas engines in just 12 days. This “lightning war” highlighted the fighting spirit of the Dongfeng Dragon Engine team.
With the continuous optimization of the national energy structure and the significant increase in the price gap between oil and gas in recent years, the gas vehicle market has seen unprecedented development opportunities. On May 28, Dongfeng Commercial Vehicle Co., Ltd. launched the Dongfeng Tianlong KL Dragon Engine 3.0 gas vehicle, which quickly gained popularity among customers due to its excellent overall performance.
“In close coordination with the marketing team, we anticipated a strong market performance for this new vehicle. However, we didn’t expect the rapid acceptance and demand we’re seeing,” said Sheng Qiguang, Executive Vice President of Dongfeng Dragon Engine. While the team foresaw the vehicle’s potential success, the speed at which it happened was both a pleasant surprise and a challenge they were eager to meet.
A battle concerning honor and dreams was ignited at Dongfeng Dragon Engine. Company Secretary Ye Feng explained that upon receiving the task, despite challenges such as testing bench shortages, unstable supply chains, and short-term production capacity issues, the company immediately mobilized all staff. The party committee called on all party members and employees to enter a “combat” state, employing various methods to enhance production efficiency.
The production planning team meticulously organized the entire production process, identifying potential bottlenecks and optimizing the production schedule. On the production floor, all frontline assembly workers were on duty, and employees on leave returned voluntarily upon learning about the production demands. Equipment support entered a 24-hour continuous “service circle.” Leadership teams conducted daily safety inspections, strictly adhering to safety protocols and prioritizing quality while also monitoring employees’ physical and mental well-being. A strict daily meeting system was implemented to track and inspect every aspect of new product production, ensuring quick resource allocation and efficient problem-solving.
The sounds of people and machinery melded into a powerful symphony of production at Dongfeng Dragon Engine. Wei Chengjun, a 56-year-old frontline heavy-duty employee, shared that the intensity of this work was unlike anything he had experienced in a long time. “This order holds extraordinary significance for our company. Rising from dormancy to vigor happens at this moment, with everyone giving their all,” he said, echoing the sentiment of all Dongfeng Dragon Engine employees.
“This ‘lightning war’ isn’t fought by Dongfeng Dragon Engine alone, but by the unified efforts of our upstream and downstream partners,” said Vice President Wang Hanbing. High production volumes not only increased quantity but also heightened quality control requirements. Dongfeng Dragon Engine collaborated closely with various functional departments, showcasing strong adaptability and teamwork. To ensure the quality of the new products, they implemented new management techniques from part supply, established a rapid response mechanism, optimized relevant processes, and developed new work instructions, making comprehensive efforts to improve sales, quality, and efficiency.
When a supplier expressed concern about meeting production demands, Dongfeng Dragon Engine responded proactively. Chief Equipment Officer Li Changyun led a team to the supplier’s facility, reviewed their production processes, and developed targeted “one-to-one” solutions, helping increase the supplier’s production capacity by 62%.
In just 12 days, the team achieved the remarkable feat of producing 1,058 engines. This accomplishment was not just a numerical victory but a testament to the effort and hope of the Dongfeng Dragon Engine team. It highlighted the passionate drive of the employees and the upward momentum of the company.
Dongfeng Dragon Engine’s rapid response and collaborative spirit during this “lightning war” exemplify the company’s commitment to excellence and innovation. As they continue to face future challenges, the team remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of productivity and quality, ensuring their products meet the highest standards and customer expectations.
