After breaking ground on the site in 2023, The LEGO Group has announced it has appointed a permanent program lead and general contractor as it advances work on its new billion-dollar manufacturing site in Chesterfield County, near Richmond, Virginia, US. Learn more below.
The LEGO Group announces program lead and appoints general contractor at its Virginia, USA site
Preben Elnef named permanent program lead.
Gray|Hourigan selected as general contractor.
Virginia, USA, February 2024: The LEGO Group today announced it has appointed a permanent program lead and general contractor as it advances work on its more than US $1 billion manufacturing site in Chesterfield County, near Richmond, Virginia.
Preben Elnef named permanent program leader
Preben Elnef will assume program leadership from April 2024, and will be responsible for all aspects of the project, including the factory’s construction and opening. He takes on this new role after three years with the company’s Vietnam business, where he established an operating unit and oversaw the construction of the company’s second new factory, which is scheduled to begin production in 2025.
Preben has worked for the LEGO Group for the past 10 years and brings extensive experience leading large-scale investment projects and expertise in engineering, supply chain, and facilities management in both the private and public sector.
Gray|Hourigan appointed general contractor
The company also announced it has engaged Gray|Hourigan, a joint venture between industry leader Gray and Richmond, Virginia-based Hourigan, for general contracting services. Gray|Hourigan will manage deep foundation and continued site preparation works this year to put the LEGO Group on the path toward its production start targets.
The appointment of a general contractor marks a significant milestone for the program. Since breaking ground in spring 2023, the company initiated site readiness, continued design work, and opened a temporary packing facility in Colonial Heights, Virginia in October 2023, where it employs over 200 people. The external packing site opened ahead of schedule and plays an important role in meeting consumer demand in the United States.
The company expects construction of the factory buildings to begin later this year and full production to commence in 2027, around 12 months later than originally planned. The company remains committed to creating over 1,760 jobs over the next ten years.
Carsten Rasmussen, Chief Operations Officer said: “We are pleased with the progress we’re making with our investment in Virginia and grateful for the continued support from the local community. We are excited Preben has agreed to become the program leader, where the team will benefit from his recent experience establishing our presence in Vietnam and building our second new factory. We are looking forward to partnering with Gray|Hourigan to commence construction work and retain the good momentum we’re seeing across the site.”
Preben Elnef, Vice President and LEGO Manufacturing Richmond Program Lead said: “I am excited to join the team. This is an important program in support of our mission to inspire and develop kids across the Americas region for generations to come. It is also a step towards operating more sustainably, as we’re building a site designed to minimize energy use. I look forward to continuing our important partnerships in the local community to bring play to more children in Virginia.”
