Lego builds higher profits as sales of new products soar Lego Friends sculpture "Stephanie" at the New York toy fair. The building bricks have become increasingly popular with girls. Photograph: Andrew Kelly/Reuters Lego continues to defy the downturn, reporting profits and sales up 25% after the successful launch of new products including its Lego City, Star Wars sets and Lego Friends. The Danish firm said revenues were $4bn in 2012, up from 25% in 2011 and nearly treble the sales of 2007. The chief executive, Jorgen Vig Knudstorp, said: "It is a highly satisfactory results and better than we expected at the beginning of the year. This is due, first and foremost, to the fact that we were able to develop and launch products that children all over the world have put at the top of their wish lists in 2012. He added that 60% of sales were from new products. The building brick toys, traditionally popular with boys, have also increased sales among girls, especially in the US with the launch of its Lego Friends brand. According to the company, the number of girls in the US with Lego has trebled in the past year, and there has been double-digit growth across North America, Asia and central and eastern Europe. Southern Europe has struggled, although there were single-digit boosts, the company said. Lego says it expects 2013 to be satisfactory. Photograph: Gorman & Gorman/Getty Operating profit rose to $1.4m from $1.1m in 2011, with net profit up to $969m against $776m in 2011. The company announced plans to shut one of its plants in Denmark during the year, with the loss of 380 jobs, as it streamlines production. It also expanded into the Czech Republic and built a factory in Hungary. Lego bosses hope to continue increasing sales in Asia and opened a head office in Singapore. The company said 2013 would be tough, but it had high hopes for the launch of Legends of Chima, based on a fantasy world populated by mythological animal tribes. Lego said it expected a "satisfactory" result for 2013, but cautioned: "The challenging global economic situation will result in lower growth rates in 2013."