LEGO starts construction on $1B eco-friendly factory in Virginia

Published September 20, 2024

The LEGO Group’s new $1 billion carbon-neutral factory in Chesterfield County, near Richmond, Virginia, is well underway. This facility is the Danish company’s first U.S. manufacturing plant and is set to be one of Virginia’s most significant economic development projects. Gray Inc. and Viriginia-based Hourigan will serve as general contractors for the manufacturing plant project.

The 340-acre site, expected to be completed by 2025, will feature 13 buildings, including production and office spaces and a high-bay warehouse.

The factory is designed with sustainability in mind. It features ground and rooftop solar panels capable of generating 35-40 MW of energy, which is enough to power around 10,000 American homes. This aligns with LEGO’s goal of meeting its annual energy needs through renewable sources and reducing its global carbon emissions by 37% by 2032.

The new factory is expected to create 1,760 jobs over the next decade. Initially, LEGO will hire up to 500 people for a temporary packing facility set to open in the first half of 2024. This project will boost the local economy and reinforce LEGO’s commitment to community engagement. As part of the groundbreaking celebrations, LEGO announced over $1 million in donations to support local children’s programs in the Richmond area.

*Preben Elnef reviews the model for the manufacturing campus (made of LEGO® bricks) with the Gray|Hourigan team.* *Photo courtesy of Lego.*

“We are working hard to reduce emissions at the LEGO Group and are really excited about our plans to build this solar plant as we push towards a better world for our children to inherit,” said Carsten Rasmussen, Chief Operations Officer of the LEGO Group. “Our new site will allow us to inspire millions of children across the Americas through play, and we can’t wait to get started.”

LEGO has also involved local children in the project, inviting them to contribute ideas for the site’s landscaping. This initiative aims to make the area welcoming to wildlife and visitors and create a sense of community ownership and involvement.

The Chesterfield factory will expand LEGO Group’s global manufacturing network, allowing the company to respond quickly to market demands and reduce its supply chain’s environmental impact. This facility is part of LEGO’s broader strategy, including new sites in Vietnam and expansions in Mexico, Hungary, and China.
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