Some loose info on the development projects of the LEGO group:

LEGO announces (again) an extension for 2015 of its factory located in Kladno in the Czech Republic with an expansion of around 37.000 m2 and the gradual creation (depending on demand) of 800 new jobs, bringing the total number to 2000 of employees on the site. (See the press release)

The expansion of the plant will mainly focus on the area dedicated to the packaging and storage of products. This expansion is part of the manufacturer's strategy to produce as close as possible to its end customers in order to limit logistics costs and to respond more reactively to local demand, here the European market.

Concerning the Czech Republic, some indicators: The minimum wage is around 350 €, the average wage is 950/1000 € per month, the country is a member of the European community but is not in the euro zone and does not plan to return there before 2016 at the earliest. The local currency, the crown (1 € = 25CZK), is doing well and even serves as a safe haven in Central Europe, especially in times of crisis in the euro zone.

LEGO had already announced an extension of this factory for 2014 and the creation of a 120.000 m2 factory in Jiaxing, China, which should be fully operational in 2017 with 2000 jobs at stake. (See the press release)

The Chinese factory located a hundred kilometers from Shanghai will produce mainly for the Asian market, this is in any case what LEGO announces. For information, the average salary in China (according to data communicated by the Chinese authorities) is around 300 € per month, it has also increased sharply over the past two years. 

LEGO employs more than 10.000 people around the world, has opened an office in Singapore, the manufacturer is investing heavily in material and human resources, notably with a factory in Hungary and another in Mexico, and the group's growth prospects are bright. (See the press release)

As announced by LEGO, the set 10237 The Tower of Orthanc is available this morning for VIP customers of the LEGO Shop.

The price is 199.99 €, and LEGO is giving us the Splinter (850838), Jor-El polybag keychain (5001623) and a nice double-sided poster from the set (5002517).

Delivery is free at the moment and you will earn 199 VIP points with the purchase of this set.

Nice combination of all the promotional offers of the moment, it's up to you to see if you're ready to put 200 € in this set of 2359 pieces delivered with 5 minifigs, an eagle and an Ent to build.

And the format reassures me: This exclusive minifigure we had already talked about here a few days ago is packaged in a classic polybag (LEGO reference 5001709) which makes me think we will see it again soon in another LEGO promotional operation.

It was offered this weekend to volunteers and children participating in a competition during Star Wars Days held at LEGOLAND California Park.

With a little patience, it should be possible to get it for free in the coming weeks / months.

(Photo by BX Customs)

The war between the leaders of the online commerce continues and each one does not stop aligning its prices on those of the neighbor to attract the barge.
Amazon is currently offering the 10188 Death to Star set for € 299.99 (See the offer)? Cdiscount responds by aligning its price to the nearest cent (See the offer). And vice versa...

Cdiscount offers a possibility of payment in 4 installments which puts the set at an overall price of 306.92 € all inclusive. This option can be interesting for all those who do not want to pay 300 € at once and spread their payment over several months.

At the risk of repeating myself, the 10188 Death Star set, released in 2008, should soon be out of the LEGO range for good after an exceptional commercial career.

Don't miss one of the last opportunities to add it to your collection, this is a stunning 3800+ piece playset that comes with 24 minifigs that also handles display very well.

Both offers are accessible via the links below:

10188 Death Star at Cdiscount at 299.99 €

10188 Death Star at amazon at 299.99 €

The news went a little unnoticed and for good reason, it does not concern us: Shipping costs are now offered on the LEGO Shop US for any order over $ 75. The offer is presented as permanent, no deadline is indicated on the page detailing the application conditions of this new rule.

For our part, we are entitled to free shipping costs for any order exceeding 55 € until August 31, 2013 (See the page detailing the offer). Excluding promotion, we must pay the sum of € 5.95 per order for shipping in standard mode, and € 29.00 for express shipping with additional charges potentially applicable on orders exceeding € 675.

No question of returning here to the very aggressive commercial policy of LEGO in the USA due in particular to strong competition, but it is simply a question of pointing out an interesting offer that I hope to have arrived quickly in our regions at a time when other merchants like amazon have made free shipping a selling point that appeals to many customers.

I also hope that LEGO will extend the free delivery offer from € 55 on the French LEGO Shop from the end of August. We can always dream.