In just 12 years, Boeing (NYSE: BA) employees in Renton, Wash., built and delivered 3,133 Next-Generation 737 airplanes. It took 32 years to produce that same number of earlier-model 737s. Relentless employee and supplier focus on efficiency has resulted in 121 customer airlines receiving their airplanes more quickly.

On Dec. 23, GOL Airlines flew the record-making airplane, a 737-800, to its base in Brazil. Minutes later, a second GOL flight crew departed from Seattle on an identical 737-800.

Shortly after delivering the first Next-Generation 737 in 1997, Boeing employees and suppliers began a dual journey to continuously update the airplanes and produce them more efficiently. Employees now assemble the airplanes in just 10 days, compared to 22 days in the past. Boeing produces 31 Next-Generation 737s a month – better than an airplane a day, including weekends and holidays.

Next-Generation 737s are lighter, consume less fuel, release fewer emissions and are more economical to operate and maintain. Airplanes delivered between September 2008 and September 2009 had so few technical issues that passengers left the airport gate on time 99.8 percent of the time.

Next-Generation 737s are as versatile and flexible as they are efficient. The airplane serves as a platform for military transport and surveillance vehicles, as private jets and as commercial airplanes operated around the world by every type of carrier from low-cost to those offering premier service.

In the next few years, passengers will enjoy the new 737 Boeing Sky Interior and airlines will operate models that reduce fuel consumption and emissions by a further two percent.

Source and picture: Boeing