LEGO Manufacturing Virginia, the LEGO Group’s upcoming factory in the United States, reached a major milestone in its construction, completing the building’s frame and allowing the next phase of construction to begin.
The LEGO Group has achieved a significant milestone in the construction of the factory in Virginia, completing the frame and making progress towards a scheduled 2027 opening.
Set to open in 2027 in Chesterfield County, Viriginia, USA, the new factory will be the LEGO Group’s seventh factory worldwide, though just the second one in the Americas — Mexico is home to the other. The Virginia factory will support North American supply chains as governments incentivise local manufacturing and disincentivise imports.
Its latest construction milestone was the placement of the final steel beam on the main production building’s frame. Known as ‘topping out,’ this symbolic moment marks the end of a major phase of construction and was celebrated with a traditional ceremony attended by Viriginia state officials, Chesterfield Country representatives, project leaders, local partners, LEGO employees and members of the construction crew. All 1,300 attendees had the opportunity to sign the final beam, then watch as it was hoisted atop the frame and set in place.
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In addition to the signatures, the beam was also decorated with a 2.5 foot tall LEGO pine tree, putting a brick twist on a construction tradition.
“This still topping out marks a significant moment in our journey to build and open our new U.S. factory, bringing creativity and LEGO play closer to fans across the region. This achievement reflects the dedication of our team, partners, and local community, all working together to bring this vision to life,” said LEGO Manufacturing Virginia General Manager Jesus Ibañez.
LEGO Manufacturing Virginia is currently on schedule to open in 2027. Once complete, the complex will house 13 buildings spanning 160,000 square metres and containing moulding, processing and packing facilities, an automated warehouse and office space. The factory is estimated to create 1,700 jobs over the course of 10 years.
For a facility so large, energy efficiency is a major point of consideration, with the LEGO Group’s general sustainability efforts taken into account. The factory will use both on- and off-site renewable energy sources, as well as fund the revitalisation of public parks and greenspaces in the region to offset the destruction of natural habit during construction. The LEGO Group’s overall goal is to reduce its global carbon emissions by 37% by 2032 when compared to 2019 levels.
The Virginia factory will be accompanied by a new Regional Distribution Centre, also opening in 2027 in the state, to provide additional support for markets in the Americas.
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