The LEGO Group, Danish toy manufacturer known for the iconic LEGO® brick, today inaugurated the latest expansion of their factory in Ciénega de Flores, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The factory supplies the entire American continent with LEGO products, and the new expansion will increase the capacity of the factory significantly. It will be fully operational by September 2014, and is expected to create approximately 1,000 new jobs.
The inauguration was celebrated at the factory site by Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, LEGO Group President and CEO, Jens Peter Clausen, LEGO Operations Vice-president and Jaime Fuentes, General Director of LEGO Mexico. Present at the site was also Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, the great grandson of the LEGO Group’s founder, Ole Kirk Kristiansen.
In addition, Rogelio Garza Garza Federal, Federal Subminister of Industry and Trade, Juan Ruben Escamilla Vargas, Cienega de Flores Municipal President, Ronaldo Zubiran Robert, State Minister of Economic Development and Susanne Rumohr Hækkerup, Ambassador of the Danish Embassy in Mexico, participated as distinguished guests of honor.
Long term presence in Mexico
The LEGO factory in Mexico is one of the largest plastic injection moulding facilities in Latin America. It is built and runs with the same technology, automation and standards for product quality and safety as other LEGO factories in Denmark, the Czech Republic and Hungary.
“Every LEGO brick we manufacture lives up to the strictest safety standards globally – no matter if it is made in Denmark, Hungary, the Czech Republic or at our factory here in Mexico,” says Jens Peter Clausen, LEGO Operations Vice-president adding:
“The significant investment sends a strong signal that Ciénega de Flores and Nuevo Leon is a long-term manufacturing base for the LEGO Group along with our other LEGO factories around the world.”
The LEGO Group has operated its own manufacturing facility in Ciénega de Flores since 2008, expanding the factory through the years. The just completed expansion of 48,000 square meters increases the production capacity of the factory significantly, enabling the LEGO Group to serve the North and South America even better in future.
“It is our strategy to have production close to our core markets in order to secure short lead-time and world class service to our customers and consumers, and it has proven a successful strategy for us globally. The expansion here in Mexico will enable us to continue delivering great products to even more children in all of North and South America in future, supporting our ambition to reach children all over the world with a great LEGO play experience,” says Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, CEO of the LEGO Group.
Intelligent lighting and green areas
During the expansion of the factory in Ciénega de Flores the LEGO Group has focused on integrating sustainable solutions where possible – from recycling and reusing waste and water to minimizing the energy consumption. As a result skylights, windows and panels as well as sensors are used to harness sunlight and save energy. Rainwater is recycled and used for irrigation and acoustic panels reduce the noise from production.
The new expansion also features an underground parking lot for the comfort of employees and allows for larger recreational green areas and soccer and basketball courts on site.
“We are very proud of our integration of sustainable solutions –which has ensured 11,500m2 of green areas on our site. It not only leaves a positive mark in terms of caring for nature – it also creates better surroundings for our neighbours and employees,” says Jens Peter Clausen.
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