COLAS UK / ‘One’ magazine
A design-led magazine commissioned by a huge transport operator continues to add value for staff across the UK
Colas is an award-winning business, delivering sustainable solutions for the UK’s transport infrastructure. They design, construct, maintain and operate a wide variety of projects for public and private sector clients. Part of the International Colas Group, their world-class R&D facilities give clients access to innovative new products and processes.
In 2019, we were drafted in by Colas UK to improve their employee comms. As a national operator, they had a diverse and dispersed workforce, so reach was critical. Colas also wanted to recognise the quality and commitment of their people, build on a sense of shared mission, and create a sense of pride in both staff and clients.
A physical magazine was eventually chosen as the optimal channel of communication. Blessed with an aspirational name to reflect the company’s ‘One Colas’ approach, consumer-quality design standards, and carefully caibrated tone of voice, everything about ‘One’ magazine is curated, right down to the ecologically friendly papers chosen. This approach gives literal form to the company’s focus on people, quality and mission.
ONE magazine includes local features, international perspectives, success stories and innovations, along with operationally useful information and industry trends. With this mix of content it’s vital to enforce the highest editorial standards – in image selection, writing and editing.
And it’s worked: Beautifully designed and printed, the ‘One’ magazine is now in its second year of growth, distributed to 20 locations across the UK, and seen by over 1500 staff. It’s become a much-applauded and very effective tool for showcasing Colas’s investment in its people, benefiting the company both in attracting and retaining the best people, and in winning new clients.
