As the result of continuous growth over the last five years, Danish toy maker Lego (Billund; www.lego.com) plans to expand its production capacity at its Czech factory in Kladno by 30%. The decision will translate into potentially 800 new jobs and will come at a cost of a "large two-digit million euro" sum, according to the iconic plastic block producers. Currently about 1,200 employees work at the Kladno site, located 25 kms northwest of Prague.

The Czech site has undergone several upgrades over the last few years, the company says, with the most recent expansion just completed. Yet, it apparently was still not enough to meet demand.The company certainly has experienced good times since 2008, as it has grown roughly 15% each year since and thus believes the added capacity will help it respond more rapidly to the demand from its core markets in Europe and North America – see Plasteurope.com from 27.02.2013.

According to a media release, the new expansion features an additional 37,000 m² of space, which will house packing facilities, add a third high bay warehouse and include some administration buildings as well. Production in the new facilities is expected to begin in 2014 with the full expansion completed by 2015.

"Depending on actual growth rates we experience in the coming years, we will gradually invest in production equipment as well as increase the number of employees," commented Carsten Rasmussen, a senior vice president for Lego.