LEGO products have attracted a multitude of admirers over the generations. The roots of this beloved toy brand can be traced back to a small Danish family business.
Faced with the craze for these little bricks and the ancestral myth that surrounds them, the question arises: Where are Lego toys made? Let's discover together the origin of Lego and explore the history of this company that took off in 1934 and became the world's 1st toy manufacturer.
History of Lego
Lego is a brand founded in 1916 by Ole Kirk Christiansen, a Danish builder and entrepreneur. It is one of the largest family-owned businesses in the world. It is currently run by the fourth generation of the founder's descendants, and it makes toys from small elementary bricks.
When in 1934 his company was renamed "Lego" ("Play Well" in Danish), it began producing plastic toys from recycled materials. Today, Lego products are available in more than 140 countries around the world and include more than 16,000 different items.
Expansion and growth
During the 1970s and 1980s, the Lego product line expanded significantly with the steady addition of new designs and collections. In 2004, the Lego Group became the fourth largest toy manufacturer in the world.
And seven years later, it became the world's leading toy manufacturer. These successes have been made possible by the company's ongoing commitment to quality, innovation and sustainability
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Where are Lego made?
Production plants
All Lego toys have been produced in a factory in Billund, Denmark since 1953. In 2016, the Lego Company invested $1.9 billion to expand this factory so that it can provide consumers with high-end, low-cost products quickly and on a large scale.
By 2017, the plant had created 15,000 direct and indirect jobs as well as $500 million financially to the local economy each year. Moreover, of the US$400 billion invested by the company in various international projects in 2019-2020, almost a third comes from Danish factories.
Geographical distribution
Although game parts are made exclusively in Denmark, some parts of the manufacturing process are carried out in other countries. Like what:
- United States : The company has a factory there where it assembles boxes for American markets.
- Mexico : The technologies used to dye plastic parts are updated and used by a Mexican factory.
- China : A Chinese factory produces backing pieces that complement Lego toy collections for specific markets, such as Japan.
In addition, the company has a presence in various other countries. For example, in the UK and Germany for the production and assembly of the LEGO® Discovery Centre exhibits and in Hong Kong for supply chain management and business operations.
What materials are used?
Raw materials
Lego bricks are made from various raw materials such as polypropylene (PP ), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), synthetic rubber, glass fibers and pigments. Popular fluorescent colors are created with a pigment known as "Dactylite," which also helps protect bricks from fire, mold, and moisture.
Manufacturing process
The pieces of ABS plastic are heated and injected into industrially shaped molds. The heat melts the liquid plastic, which then slowly fills the mold.
Once cooled, it is then extracted from the mold to form a flat square shape called a "piece." The small parts must then be tinted in several shades before being assembled to form the final models.
This manufacturing process is very environmentally friendly: in fact, 25% of the raw materials used come from recycling and practically all waste can be reused or recycled in the factory. In addition, the green energy supply is guaranteed thanks to 100% wind and solar power.
What are the advantages of Lego?
Quality and safety
Legi's main mission is "Inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow", which means that it focuses on the quality and safety of its products. To achieve this goal, the company constantly works with independent experts to ensure that all products meet international standards and are as fun as they are safe.
In addition, rigorous testing is carried out to check the tightness and flexural strength of the toys.
Sustainability and innovation
Since its inception, The LEGO Group has been dedicated to fostering sustainability. The company believes that there will be no lasting success without a positive contribution to the lives of thousands of children who have grown up playing with these games.
Therefore, when developing products, it focuses on several important points: strictly respecting the environment, training employees and maintaining a good social climate.
What are the most popular Lego products?
Building Toys
Classic elemental bricks have been The LEGO Group's flagship product since its inception in 1916. Every year, billions of pieces are made in various sizes and colors to create wonderfully innovative games.
From the Eiffel Towers to pirate ships, there is no limit to the number of possibilities opened up by this timeless article
Lego in the entertainment industry
In 1995, the Lego Group burst into the entertainment industry with the first LEGO® Video Game. Since that day, she continues to release video games and apps that explore popular themes such as Star Wars™, Batman™, Harry Potter™ and others.
This strategy has allowed the brand to increase its presence in the global market through a unique combination of interactive and exciting activities based on its products.