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80 years of Lego celebrated with a short film
August 14, 2012

Everyone knows about Danish family business Lego, whose small and colourful toy bricks can be assembled to form almost anything. And now, the famous brand is celebrating its 80th birthday by releasing a short video tracing its foundation and growth over the years.
 

Everyone knows about Danish family business Lego, whose small and colourful toy bricks can be assembled to form almost anything. And now, the famous brand is celebrating its 80th birthday by releasing a short video tracing its foundation and growth over the years.

The 17-minute animated film, released on 10 August by the controlling Kirk Kristiansen family, tells the story of how Ole Kirk Christiansen founded a small toy company back in 1932 after his carpentry business failed.

The building blocks of history
July 4, 2012

Interestingly, for a company best known for its plastic bricks, Lego is also the biggest manufacturer of tyres in the world, albeit rather small ones.

When Ole Kirk Kristiansen started making wooden toys in 1932 after losing his job, he probably never imagined the company he founded would one day become one of the best-known brands in the world.

Lego wheels around for 50 years
April 22, 2012

Fifty years ago, children wanting to play with Lego cars had only two options – either play with a finished car or make wheels out of standard bricks. But then, the toy-making family business wheeled out its new creation – the Lego wheel – which is celebrating its 50th birthday this month.

Fifty years ago, children wanting to play with Lego cars had only two options – either play with a finished car or make wheels out of standard bricks. But then, the toy-making family business wheeled out its new creation – the Lego wheel – which is celebrating its 50th birthday this month.

Lego Group, owned by the founding Kristiansen family and famous for its small and colourful bricks that can be assembled to form anything, today produces 381 million wheels every year.

Coopers Brewery voted family business of 2011
December 21, 2011

Coopers Brewery, the Australian beer maker behind brands such as Dr Tim’s Traditional Ale, has been voted family business of the year by CampdenFB readers.

Coopers Brewery, the Australian beer maker behind brands such as Dr Tim’s Traditional Ale, has been voted family business of the year by CampdenFB readers.

Family businesses and 2011 – a look back
December 20, 2011

Two thousand and eleven won’t go down as a great year for the world economy. But there are pockets of hope, especially when it comes to family businesses. As the year draws to a close, CampdenFB reviews the events that defined 2011 for family businesses.

Lego bricks used to recreate significant 2011 events
December 14, 2011

What isn’t there to like about Lego bricks? They’re small and colourful and can be assembled to form anything – from a giant Christmas tree to a monster truck. But a testament to the popularity of the toy, made by Danish family business Lego Group, was recently shown when fans recreated some of the important news stories of the year using these plastic bricks.

What isn’t there to like about Lego bricks? They’re small and colourful and can be assembled to form anything – from a giant Christmas tree to a monster truck. But a testament to the popularity of the toy, made by Danish family business Lego Group, was recently shown when fans recreated some of the important news stories of the year using these plastic bricks.

Legendary toy company prospers
September 9, 2010

Danish toy manufacturer Lego recorded double-digit growth across all markets when the company reported its first-half results on 8 September.

Danish toy manufacturer Lego recorded double-digit growth across all markets when the company reported its first-half results on 8 September.

Boosted by unexpectedly high sales figures of the new Atlantis brand, revenues at the family-owned company increased 34% to DKK 5.88 billion (€789 million) compared to the same period last year. Net profits for the first half of 2010 were DKK 1.12 billion compared with DKK 684 million for the same period in 2009.

Toy story: How family companies are bucking the trend
August 20, 2009

Two iconic family companies explain to Katie Barker how they are thriving in a competitive industry despite the recession thanks to the introduction of professional management and the continuation family values.

When Lego turned to Jorgen Vig Knudstorp as CEO in 2004 he became only the second non-family member to lead the company in its 77-year history. Third-generation Kirk Kjeld Kristiansen had been running the iconic toy giant for 25 years but acknowledged he had lost his way. The business was suffering under a weight of debt and stagnating with management that believed the company was in better shape than it actually was.

The fixers
September 30, 2008

Mel Stern takes a look at two family-owned businesses that have reaped the rewards of bringing in a turnaround manager

Mel Stern takes a look at two family-owned businesses that have reaped the rewards of bringing in a turnaround manager

Rebuilding Lego
November 1, 2005

Jorgen Vig Knudstorp talks to Melanie Stern about his first year as CEO of the Danish family business and toy giant Lego, how he led the company out of a period of financial risk and his mandate to fix the national treasure

Melanie stern is section editor of Families in Business.

Jorgen Vig Knudstorp talks to Melanie Stern about his first year as CEO of the Danish family business and toy giant Lego, how he led the company out of a period of financial risk and his mandate to fix the national treasure

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