From a humble beginning as a migrant worker in the 1990s to becoming the chairman of a leading steel structure enterprise, Li Chengjun, chairman of Shandong Ningda Construction Group Co., Ltd. and its wholly-owned subsidiary Shandong Ningda Steel Structure Co., Ltd., has epitomized the resilience and innovation of Shandong’s private entrepreneurs. His journey reflects not only personal success but also a steadfast commitment to industry, innovation, and social responsibility.
From Worker to Industry Leader
In 1993, Li Chengjun left his hometown of Yangzhou and came to Jining with two fellow villagers to work at a steel structure plant. Within five years, his diligence and precision earned him the position of deputy general manager in charge of production. Seizing the momentum of China’s steel structure boom in 2001, Li set out on his own entrepreneurial journey with just a dozen employees.
Today, the group boasts a registered capital of RMB 360 million, an annual production capacity of 300,000 tons of steel structures, and an output value of RMB 3 billion, with products exported domestically and abroad. Shandong Ningda Steel Structure Co., Ltd., established in 2012 with a registered capital of RMB 180 million, integrates R&D, design, manufacturing, and construction, and holds top-grade qualifications in steel structure manufacturing, design, and construction. Its capacity now reaches 200,000 tons per year, serving projects from high-rise buildings to large-span bridges.
Engineering Landmark Projects
Under Li’s leadership, Ningda has participated in landmark projects such as the Jining Inner Ring Elevated Road, Lunan High-Speed Railway stations, Jining Airport relocation, and Jining–Zaozhuang Expressway bridges. The company has also contributed to Belt and Road Initiative projects, including the Arusha Stadium in Tanzania, overcoming engineering challenges with advanced 3D modeling and welding technologies.
Ningda’s innovations have won more than 120 patents, technical methods, and QC achievements, and over 20 provincial and ministerial awards. The China Steel Structure Association honored Li with the “Outstanding Talent Award in Steel Structure”, while the group received the Second Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress.
Driving Innovation and Digital Transformation
Li Chengjun emphasizes that “continuous innovation is the engine of sustainable growth.” Ningda has partnered with Tongji University, Shandong University, and Harbin Institute of Technology to build the Ningda Prefabricated Building Research Center, focusing on green building materials and intelligent steel structures.
In 2022, the company invested RMB 1 billion to build a 70,000 m² intelligent manufacturing workshop equipped with over 100 advanced automation devices, capable of producing 500,000 m² prefabricated components and 100,000 tons of steel box girders annually.
Digital twin systems, 5G robotics, and AI-driven MES platforms now enable Ningda to achieve near-zero error rates in steel component installation, with tolerances controlled within 2 millimeters—a hallmark of the firm’s transformation from traditional manufacturing to smart manufacturing.
Social Responsibility and Public Service
Despite his business success, Li has never forgotten his responsibility to society. Ningda has supported over 10 villages and 500 farmers, helping them transition into modern industrial workers. The company has consistently donated to charity and was recognized as a “Model Enterprise in Charity Contribution” by the Jining Charity Federation.
In times of crisis, Li has led from the front. During the 2003 SARS outbreak, the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, and the COVID-19 pandemic, he mobilized resources to produce emergency materials, construct makeshift hospitals, and donate millions of yuan. His contributions earned him titles such as “Jining Earthquake Relief Model” and “Advanced Individual in Charity Donation.”
Building the Future of Chinese Manufacturing
Looking ahead, Li Chengjun is steering Ningda toward low-carbon, high-quality development, aligning with China’s strategic goals. By strengthening its role as a “Shandong New-type Industrialization Base”, Ningda is not only shaping the skylines of cities with projects like the 330-meter Jinan CITIC Pacific CBD Tower, but also reinforcing China’s position as a global leader in steel structure technology.
“Jining is my second hometown,” Li says. “I will continue to grow Ningda stronger and contribute to making this land more prosperous and beautiful.”
With its dual strength in steel and intelligence, Ningda under Li’s leadership is writing a new chapter in Shandong’s industrial rise—one that combines technological innovation with social responsibility, embodying the true spirit of China’s private entrepreneurs in the new era.