LEGO Group to build factory in China

[GregoryBrick]

The press release says the following:

“The new factory will be built and run with the same technology, automation and standards for employee safety and product quality as our LEGO factories in Denmark, Hungary, Czech Republic and Mexico, and it will have a distinct LEGO look and feel.” says Michael McNulty, Senior Vice President, Procurement.

I believe that TLG is being honest about keeping quality consistent. Until there is further evidence, then, I believe that the product from this factory would not be different in any meaningful way from anything else TLG makes, just as the product from the left side of the Denmark factory isn't any different than that coming from the right side.

It seems any other interpretation is rather extravagant; moreover it is of little utility. I remained to be convinced otherwise.

[AndyC]

Now lets look at some simple numbers. Let us say TLG releases 100 sets per year. 70 of them come to Asia from "this" facility. And since "this facility" supplies only to Asia, where do the rest of the world get those 70 sets? Don't need to see through ABS curtain that there will be 2 tier production. Now till we get a clarity on the ABS used in "this facility" and its source, paint used, safety tests performed etc my point remains highly valid and my concern remains top priority.

Except that's probably already true and has been for years. If you buy set X in the States, parts may have come from the Mexico factories, whereas the same set X bought in Europe may well have taken those same pieces from the Denmark factory. Adding another factory for localized production into the mix doesn't really change that in any way.

[Aanchir]

Except that's probably already true and has been for years. If you buy set X in the States, parts may have come from the Mexico factories, whereas the same set X bought in Europe may well have taken those same pieces from the Denmark factory. Adding another factory for localized production into the mix doesn't really change that in any way.

Agreed. The only thing that is really not totally clear is whether highly-detailed painted parts that are currently made ONLY in China will be shifted to the new Chinese factory and continue to be made ONLY in China for global set releases. I imagine both are true; anything else seems needlessly complex. More basic bricks will probably be made wherever is closest to packaging for the region of intended sale.

[Legononymous]

"Are AFOLs and parents in EU/US displeased with Chinese made parts".

This sums it up for me perfectly. Speaking for myself, I fear anything made in China, and am very displeased with it. The reason factories move to China is because of the absolute lowest price to produce in the world. It is NOT because of superior quality. How can it be so cheap? Because of worker exploitation, extremely lax safety standards, etc. None of this contributes to quality; only the bottom line.

If LEGO made in China starts ending up in other markets, I will strongly consider buying old LEGO in the second hand market instead of new LEGO. LEGO can say all they want about strict quality control. I don't believe you will ever see that in China. And get ready for an absolute explosion in the bootleg market, LEGO.

I feel the same as said here. Game over!

[A2L]

I believe that TLG is being honest about keeping quality consistent. Until there is further evidence, then, I believe that the product from this factory would not be different in any meaningful way from anything else TLG makes, just as the product from the left side of the Denmark factory isn't any different than that coming from the right side.

It seems any other interpretation is rather extravagant; moreover it is of little utility. I remained to be convinced otherwise.

I have no doubt about TLG's honesty. However, reading many posts on this forum gives me evidence to the contrary regarding parts made in China. So I will believe it only when I see it actually happen. Edited April 2, 2013 by A2L

[melbs]

why do i suddenly see a lot of fakes in South east asia, fakes that are copied from recent lego releases? i suspect these came from china, maybe lego already has a small factory in china? the pictures above are just some of the fakes, there's really a lot of other copied sets, and with a really new factory there will be far more fakes or overruns for sure in the future.hope quality remains the same, and that prices go DOWN in south east asia since we pay double or triple USA prices, and variety goes UP since we don't get the full catalog

Edited April 7, 2013 by melbs