Lego A/S has named the master builder for its new plant in Virginia.
Preben Elnef will be permanent program lead to oversee the construction and development of the $1 billion plant near Richmond. While the Danish toymaker broke ground in April 2023 in Virginia for the facility that will have injection molding, processing and packaging, it has focused on site readiness and design since then. Full construction is set to begin later this year, with the joint venture Gray|Hourigan serving as general contractor.
Lego opened a 200-employee temporary packing facility in Colonial Heights, Va., in October 2023 to fill consumer demand in North America until the full site opens in 2027, about 12 months later than originally planned, Lego noted in a news release. It still expects to create 1,760 jobs over the next 10 years.
Lego first announced the expansion in 2022.
Elnef's official title is vice president and Lego manufacturing Richmond program lead. He previously oversaw construction of a Lego plant in Vietnam.