The LEGO Group to become sole owner of LEGO® Education in North America as of January 1, 2014

21-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Since forming the venture in 1997 Pitsco and LEGO Education have forged a strong partnership and achieved remarkable growth. The decision to acquire the business in full reflects a desire by The LEGO Group to continue to prioritize securing that growth in education in the US.

The decision will also allow Pitsco to strengthen its domestic K-12 business while focusing on growth in international markets, retail environments, and new opportunities through expansion of its partner network.

LEGO Education President, Jacob Kragh explains: “North America is a very important market for us and has been defined as one of LEGO Education’s main growth areas in the coming years. By becoming a wholly owned LEGO subsidiary we will improve our opportunities for investing in the market. At the same time this reflects our strategy to be closer to customers in our core markets.”

LEGO Education took over its European business joint venture from RM Education in 2011.

Kragh is confident that customers will not see any differences in the experience they get from the company:  “LEGO Education will continue to offer the same excellent service as has been provided throughout the 15-year history of the joint venture,” he said. The company will also continue to be based in Pittsburg, Kansas, and many of the existing services will still be provided by Pitsco under a service agreement.

Stephan Turnipseed, who has successfully led LEGO Education North America’s growth for the past 15 years, will move into a new global role in January 2014 leading the further development of strategic partnerships for LEGO Education. All 28 sales and marketing employees in the joint venture will be offered employment with LEGO Education.

Further information:
Jinny Christiansen, PR & Communications, LEGO Education
jinny.christiansen@lego.com

About LEGO Education:
Since 1980, LEGO Education has delivered hands-on curriculum-based resources for teachers and students worldwide. LEGO Education believes a hands-on, minds-on approach helps students actively take ownership of the learning process and develop 21st-century skills such as creative thinking and problem-solving through real-life, engaging experiences.