High motivation for development

How product quality is ensured at the Minsk Motor Plant

In January, the President of Belarus signed Decree No. 31, which declared the years 2025–2029 a five-year quality period. It will cover all spheres of state and social activity. The priority goals of the five-year period are to further improve the quality of life of people, boost the competitiveness of the Belarusian economy, and enhance social relationships. Comprehensive transformations are envisaged aimed at achieving high standards of quality of life, increasing the welfare of the population, raising the efficiency of the economy and management activity, optimising production processes, and improving product characteristics. Among the priority tasks are the creation of new modern enterprises, digital transformation, and ensuring technological sovereignty. We have learnt how these tasks are being solved at machine-building enterprises using the example of the Minsk Motor Plant [MMZ].

Mastering new technologies and equipment is a stepping stone towards improving product quality           Ilya Shvedko 

Driving force 

Products of the Belarusian mechanical engineering are a brand with a worldwide reputation. This is one of the major industries, which ensures exports to the markets of 65 countries. The flagships of the Belarusian mechanical engineering industry produce high-quality, competitive and in-demand products all over the world. New sales markets are being developed, and modernisation is being carried out. Our products are loved and appreciated by foreign partners — all thanks to the supreme quality.  
The equipment created by the hands of Belarusian workers is in operation on all continents. The mechanical engineering industry is the backbone and driving force of the country’s economy. It plays an important role in the socio-economic and intellectual development of the state and is rightfully considered the foundation of the entire industrial complex.
Belarus remains one of the world’s top three manufacturers of quarry dump trucks. Moreover, in recent years, we have developed new machinery with all possible types of engines. By 2030, the product line of domestic enterprises will be replenished with a hybrid quarry dump truck and a 90-100-tonne hydrogen-powered dump truck with an electric traction drive, as well as a heavy quarry grader, a grain harvester with a hybrid threshing and separating device, and much more.

Minsk Motor Plant produces technologically advanced, science-intensive products               Ilya Shvedko 

Focus on quality 

The Minsk Motor Plant also has ambitious plans, realising that quality is at the heart of everything.
The goals for 2025 are to reduce the level of defects, increase the competitiveness and quality of products, and streamline production processes. “Our subdivision is engaged in quality assurance during engine assembly, testing, painting, and completing additional units. We ensure quality control at all production areas of the workshop, motivating personnel to effectively perform their job responsibilities,” noted Aleksandr Slabko, Head of Technical Control Bureau at the MMZ engine assembly and testing workshop. 
To efficiently perform work tasks, the MMZ production system is being implemented in the bureau. Thus, in 2024, the bureau employees were trained and certified in the application of the main methods underlying this system, including the 8D problem-solving method, quality goal management, visualisation, product approval process, and the basics of quality legislation. “The application of the methods studied in 2024 has made it possible to reduce the zero-kilometre defect rate (defects detected during assembly and testing at the consumer) by more than 30 percent, which is an excellent indicator. In 2025, we plan to focus on developing such production system tools as self-control, motivation for quality, teamwork, and the application of the 8D methodology together with enhanced control levels. We have huge goals ahead, because during the five-year quality period, we will bear a particular responsibility acting as the main line of defence in ensuring quality at the Minsk Motor Plant, standing between the product and the consumer. We have a serious task for 2025: to improve quality by 20 percent,” added Aleksandr Slabko.

No faulty product will pass 

The Minsk Motor Plant pays special attention to product quality at every stage of production, starting with incoming inspection, which is the first line of defence for production. Nikolai Luchenok, Head of Incoming Inspection Bureau, emphasised, “We carefully check incoming products from external suppliers for compliance with design documentation, technical specifications and standards, master new technologies and replace imported components with our own developments. This is critical for ensuring the quality of the final products at MMZ — after all it is the key factor for competitiveness.”
Notably, MMZ was the first in Belarus to begin implementing its own production system, which is based on STB [Belarus’ standard] ISO 9001, STB 16949 and the experience of Belarusian engine builders accumulated over more than 60 years.

Keeping up with the times

The Minsk Motor Plant is an enterprise that produces technologically advanced, science-intensive products, which requires knowledge from complex technical fields. They understand at the plant that in order to develop successfully, it is necessary to quickly pick up new technologies and implement them in production. This is the only way to achieve results in the competitive struggle. The MMZ technical control department monitors the quality of engine production, and has recently introduced a 3D scanner and a Hexagon measuring arm. Precision measurement controllers are engaged in mastering new technologies and equipment.
Alyona Dosina, a controller of installation and special work at MMZ, whose area of competence includes checking product parameters, noted, “Modern quality cannot be achieved without measurement technologies and the involvement of science. Our department is successfully doing this. A striking example of this is the introduction of a 3D scanner and a measuring arm, which replaced the old technologies of marking parts and measuring complex shapes, which had their limitations due to high labour intensity and the impossibility of controlling them. The technical control department is an important link in the product quality protection system. Our meticulous testing helps us minimise defects and guarantee the reliability of each unit we produce. We are proud to contribute to the common cause — after all each tested detail is a step towards the success of our enterprise.”

DIRECT SPEECH

Valery Tereshko, Deputy Director for Product Quality and Technical Service at MMZ,
“At the Minsk Motor Plant, we pay special attention to issues of discipline, quality, and responsibility of each employee for the final result. First of all, the motivation system related to product quality has been revised. Now, the emphasis is placed not only on punishments for shortcomings, but also on motivating personnel to continuously improve quality. A special instruction has been devised for testers performing acceptance tests, which clearly defines disciplinary responsibility and requirements for the testing process. This helps to boost the motivation of testers and ensure stricter control over manufactured products. Such measures are aimed at creating the most efficient production system, which is impossible without ensuring discipline, where each link in the chain — from the supplier to the tester — bears clearly defined responsibility. This is the only way to guarantee high product quality and seamless operation of the entire production.”

By Vladislav Sychevich