LEGO Group commits to invest more than 1 billion USD to build a factory in Vietnam, with the goal of creating 4,000 jobs in the next 15 years.
Billion USD FDI project from Denmark
On the afternoon of December 8 in Hanoi, LEGO Group (Denmark) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Vietnam - Singapore Industrial Parks Joint Venture Company Limited (VSIP) to build a new factory in Vietnam. Construction of the factory is expected to begin in the second half of 2022 and LEGO's new 44-hectare factory in Binh Duong will start operating in 2024.
The total investment of the project is more than 1 billion USD, investment period is 15 years, is the FDI project with the largest capital from Denmark implemented in Vietnam. This will be LEGO's sixth factory in the world and second in Asia. The factory in Vietnam will be LEGO's factory in charge of mold making and packaging for the Asian market, next to the factory in Jiangsu, China.
Especially, the factory in Vietnam will be LEGO's first carbon-neutral factory when using on-site battery power from solar cells invested by LEGO and green energy from nearby energy supply projects. Renewable energy will meet 100% of the plant's operating requirements.
The new factory expands LEGO's global supply chain network. As a result, LEGO can flexibly and quickly respond to changes in consumer demand in each region, shortening supply chains and reducing the impact on the environment when transporting long distances.
LEGO's goal is to bring 4,000 job opportunities to Vietnam in the next 15 years, recruitment will start in the second half of 2023, in sync with the factory construction process.
Carsten Rasmussen, LEGO Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are grateful for the support of the Vietnamese Government for enabling us to achieve our goal of building our first carbon neutral factory. . The Government's plans to invest in expanding renewable energy production infrastructure and promote cooperation with high-quality foreign investment companies are the motivation for us to decide to build a factory in Vietnam. this".
"The year 2021 is an important year for the Danish-Vietnamese relationship. During the past 50 years, the two countries have both benefited economically and culturally through strong cooperative relations - from development cooperation to trade and investment cooperation This is the project with the largest investment capital implemented by a Danish enterprise in Vietnam, which shows our confidence and optimism in the business. future of this important partnership" - Mr. Kim Højlund Christensen, Ambassador of Denmark to Vietnam and Laos.
“This investment will help us bring the LEGO play experience closer to future generations of children. We aim to inspire and develop potential civil engineers, and more importantly, we will do this in the most sustainable way possible."
“We are looking forward to working with VSIP to build this state-of-the-art factory, which will contribute to thousands of new job opportunities as well as indirectly support local businesses and communities.”
Mr. Nguyen Phu Thinh, General Director of VSIP said: “We are delighted to partner with the LEGO Group on this important investment project and are honored that they have chosen Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park III in Singapore. Binh Duong Province. We are committed to providing international businesses with high-quality investments and sustainable solutions to create long-term development opportunities.”
LEGO's first carbon neutral factory
The new LEGO factory will have rooftop solar panels installed and VSIP will build a solar project on LEGO's behalf. From there, this solar network will produce enough renewable energy to meet 100% of the plant's annual requirements.
The plant will be built with the goal of meeting LEED Gold minimum standards, covering all areas of sustainability from energy, water to waste. In addition, the plant will also be designed to operate electric vehicles and equipped with production equipment to improve energy efficiency.
LEGO together with VSIP will plant 50,000 trees in Vietnam to compensate for the vegetation that was cut down during the construction of the factory.
The new factory is committed to meeting the LEGO Group's distinctive high quality and safety standards. Skilled local workers will be trained to operate the high-tech manufacturing equipment used in every LEGO factory worldwide. This is to ensure that each product is made with near absolute precision, perfectly matching products made over the past 60 years.
“Every LEGO factory, wherever it is located, is designed to create the safest, highest quality products and provide a world-class work environment for our colleagues. So we always try to fulfill our promise, bring the best. So that when a customer buys a LEGO set from us, they know they are receiving a fun experience that will last for generations,” adds Carsten Rasmussen.
The LEGO Group was founded in Billund, Denmark in 1932 by Ole Ifirk Ifristiansen, whose name is derived from the two Danish words "Leg Godt", which means "Have fun".
LEGO's mission is to inspire and develop future architects with the power of toys. LEGO's game system, based on LEGO bricks, allows children and hobbyists to design and build anything they can imagine.
Minh Hai (baodautu.vn)