ASPHALT FROM 1930 TO 2020
Colas celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2020
Colas has paved the roads since 1930. In 2020 we celebrate our 90th birthday and in honor of this occasion, we have searched our archives for then-and-now photos that show how the world has changed since the beginning of Colas’ recorded history.
Meet some of our colleagues and learn from their perspective what it means to be a part of Colas.
Manual work at a suburban street, approx. 1930.
Photo: Colas Danmark A/S
Asphalt paving in Copenhagen, approx. 1930.
Photo: Colas Danmark A/S
“Manual work” facilitated with the co-bot Exopush, 2018.
Photo: Colas Danmark A/S
Asphalt paving, 2019.
Photo: Colas Danmark A/S
We would like to thank our clients and business partners
As we celebrate our 90th anniversary, we would like to express our gratitude to all our public as well as private clients and business partners who have accompanied us on this journey.
We look forward to continuing our work together in the future!
Extensive road construction projects took place all over the country in the 1960’s. Colas increased
its market share to 20%.
Photos from Colas’ book “They led the way 1930-2010”.
This year the Oresund Bridge and the Drogden Tunnel celebrate their 20th anniversary. The Oresund road and rail bridge and the 4-kilometre tunnel – for which Colas supplied the asphalt – connect two major metropolitan areas: Copenhagen in Denmark and Malmo in Sweden.
New highway, 1960.
Photo: Colas Danmark A/S.
Highway paving in Jutland, 1971.
Photo: Colas Danmark A/S.
Asphalt paving the E10 highway, 2017.
Photo: Colas Danmark A/S.
Asphalt 1950.
Drawing: Colas Danmark A/S.
HLAÐBÆR COLAS in Iceland is a subsidiary of Colas Danmark A/S. The company carries out all types of asphalt works in Iceland, from roads and airports to asphalt in Iceland’s many tunnels.
Colas inaugurated its first asphalt plant in 1942.
Today, Colas has plants all over Denmark.
Photo: Colas Danmark A/S.
Early morning at the plant in Horsens, 2020.
Photo: Kim Hisselholm, Colas.
From asphalt plant to road. The principle of modern asphalt paving.
Drawing: Colas Danmark A/S.
Colas’ plant by the harbor in Horsens, 1960s.
Photo: Copyright: City archives, Horsens.
Social gatherings
It is evident that they had a great sense of style at the Colas Christmas party of 1954.
Photo: Colas Danmark A/S.
Colas Sport CF, 1970.
Photo: Colas Danmark A/S.
Colas invited all employees to celebrate its 85th anniversary in 2015.
Photo: Colas Danmark A/S.
Marketing before and now
Advertisement from the 1960s.
Photo: Colas Danmark A/S.
Brochures from the 1950s and 60s.
Photo: Colas Danmark A/S.
Advertisement, 1990s.
“We are ready for the customers of the future”.
Photo: Colas Danmark A/S.
Advertisement, 1990s.
“Our roads bring out the joy of driving in everyone”.
Photo: Colas Danmark A/S.
Advertisement, 1990s.
“Our roads bring out the joy of driving in everyone”.
Photo: Colas Danmark A/S.
Commitment makes a difference
In unison, Colas’ employees have contributed to the establishment of the company’s common set of values.
These values shape our identity as a company; they guide us when assisting customers, they encourage innovation, they create unity and they increase work commitment.
Why we are proud of our workplace:
Ownership
We take responsibility and make a difference.
Trust
We build trust through transparency and bravery.
Communication
We encourage open and honest communication.
Cooperation
We work and pull together as a team and greet each other with a smile.
Because great colleagues brighten the day!
Morten Kæseler, Henrik Pedersen and Rasmus Riise, Colas’ asphalt workers in Nørresundby.
Because of the solidarity among my colleagues and my competent manager; and how no two days are alike. New and different challenges keep my workdays interesting.
Thomas Larsen, workshop Viborg.
Because there is time for family!
Marianne Wingreen, sales and project manager, Nørresundby.
Because my workday consists of tasks that take me across the company while a high level of independence make my days fun and exciting. What is most important to me though is the spirit of community at Colas.
Charlotte Nyeng, sales manager.
Because we have good colleagues, varying tasks, great contact with colleagues and customers – and there is space for humour and differences, even for the two of us 🙂
Lone Benzon Bonnèz, office clerk, and Helle Kjerulff, debt manager.
Because it is cool to make a difference “behind the scenes”. We are proud to be the best!
Liselotte Sørensen and Allan Thrane, laboratory.
Great colleagues, excellent working environment and freedom with responsibility are some of the main reasons why I have stayed with Colas for more than 36 years.
Lars Ladehoff, senior advisor.
COLAS DANMARK A/S TODAY
Various asphalt properties
A lot has changed since Colas paved the first road in the 1930s. Today, we provide many types of sustainable asphalt such as permeable asphalt, noise-reducing asphalt, and asphalt of low rolling resistance that has a fuel-saving effect.
Soustainable solutions
Sustainability and climate change are high on our agenda. In order to reduce our consumption of CO2 and virgin materials we have increased the recycling of old asphalt and used it for new asphalt in recent years.
Among some of the innovative solutions, Colas has developed the Waterway in collaboration with landscape architects and consulting engineers that efficiently drains storm water. Additionally the Colas Group has developed the Wattway solar road as well as the Flowell road marking system, both of which are being tested across Europe.
Colas has departments and offices all over Denmark. Furthermore, we carry out activites in Iceland, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands.
Our mission is to safely and sustainably create the roads of tomorrow for the benefit of society, and we perform our work with consideration for the environment, our employees, and the world around us.
Photo: In 2020 Colas won the challenge trophy for best working environment in the asphalt industry.
Colas also supply products and services
for the agriculture industry.
Photo: Colas Danmark A/S.
Gravel pits.
Wattway by Colas.
Aalborg Airport, 2012.
Car park in Borup ready for a visit from Danish Queen Margrethe II, 2019.
The Colas Group
58.000 employees ready to help customers build and maintain the world’s infrastructure
Colas Danmark A/S forms part of the Colas Group – a world leader in transport infrastructure.