Preben Elnef, general manager of Lego Manufacturing Vietnam and vice president of Lego Group, said, “Today is about celebrating Lego's positive environmental and community-focused momentum in Vietnam, as well as recognising the significant progress we’ve made in the construction of our state-of the-art factory – our most sustainable to date.”

“As construction is underway, we are grateful for the continued support from the authorities and our many partners, whose collaboration has ensured that we are on-track to begin production in the second half of 2024, allowing us to create long-term growth in the Asia-Pacific region,” Elnef added.

The planting of trees at the site began in September last year and the 50,000 amounts to twice the number that were removed for construction of the new factory, and includes seven different species native to Vietnam, fostering greater biodiversity in the long term. The planting is supported by Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park Joint Venture Co., Ltd.

The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai, national and provincial officials, as well as business and community partners.

The factory is designed to be Lego’s most sustainable to date, supporting the company’s sustainability ambitions to reduce absolute global carbon emissions by 37 per cent by 2032. It will feature rooftop solar panels, and a solar plant will be built on a neighbouring plot of land. The factory will use the latest energy-efficient production equipment, while the buildings and manufacturing processes are designed to minimise energy use.

Lego announced its plans to build the new $1 billion factory in December 2021. The investment is the largest by any Danish company in Vietnam and part of the company’s strategy to expand its supply chain network to support long-term growth and locate production facilities close to its major markets to respond to shifts in local demand, shorten the supply chain, and reduce its environmental impact.

According to Lego, its production and recruitment are on track and is expected to recruit 100 employees by the end of this year and up to 500 by the end of 2024, when production is also expected to be fully up and running.