A quarter of a century has passed since the inaugural meeting of Slovenian Asphalt Pavement Association (ZAS). The meeting was held in Gornja Radgona in 1996. In 25 years, among other activities, ZAS has organized 146 different events with more than 13,800 participants from Slovenia and abroad, 580 papers were prepared and presented, 25 trainings, 25 assemblies, 17 Colloquium on asphalt, bitumen and pavements and 7 asphalters days. These figures marked 25 years of ZAS. Therefore, this year, on 22 June 2021, as part of the 26th ZAS Assembly, we prepared the celebration of the round jubilee. The event took place at the MAROF in Mačkovci in Prekmurje. The meeting was attended by many domestic and foreign guests and representatives of the Ministry of Infrastructure.
The introductory speech was given by the President of ZAS, mag. Slovenko Henigman. He briefly presented ZAS in these 25 years. He pointed out that the good and bad times in construction did not affect the operations in ZAS. In all these years, the association has been working constantly and engaged. From our logs comes the Golden Investment Rule, which has become synonymous with the need to plan and build evenly. In the last year, ZAS was reorganized. We also prepared a strategy for the development of the Slovenian asphalt industry; ASPHALT 4.0. As we are future-oriented, we have set up a Committee of Young Professionals to represent the future of the industry. He thanked all the hard-working members and invited guests and the host of the meeting, POMGRAD, led by the President of the Management Board, Iztok Polanič, for today’s meeting and wished all those gathered for their long-term support and wished ZAS a bright future.
Secretary General of the European Asphalt Association EAPA, dr. Carsten Karcher brought greetings from Brussels to the participants on behalf of the EAPA President, Mr. Juan Jose Potti. He handed over congratulations for the successful operation of ZAS. He especially emphasized the importance of excellent long-term mutual cooperation, where the president of ZAS has been representing the voice of Central and Eastern Europe in the executive committee for many years. We are facing major challenges of climate change, so we need to make all industries even more committed to the circular economy and the lowest possible carbon footprint. The asphalt industry, which is able to completely recycle its asphalt product, committed itself to the described goals years ago.
The Minister of Infrastructure, Mr. Jernej Vrtovec, as the honorary speaker of the meeting: “I want to give you a key message and that is that I am here because we appreciate your work for 25 years, we are grateful that you are passing on the knowledge to the next generations.” He and his team are aware that there is no strong Slovenian economy without this sector. He pointed out that the team at the ministry supports intensive investments in infrastructure for all forms of transport, railways, cycle paths, air or shipping and of course roads. Roads are our most important means of transport. However, it is important to be aware that the European Commission does not support investment in roads and puts us alongside countries that have already built a road network. Therefore, it is more difficult to obtain European funds for these investments, which the Ministry will not discourage from making these necessary investments, either in new sections or extensions of motorways. This fact must also be taken into account in the construction industry, which must be prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.
After a short cultural program performed by singer Ana Frece with the band, a conversation with the guests followed. Leading representatives of the clients and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia gave their thoughts on the asphalt activity, ZAS and wishes for the future. The director of the Directorate for Infrastructure, Ljiljana Herga, emphasized the importance of the events organized by ZAS for the entire profession, as it is an exchange of opinions and experiences that they need in the industry. Contractors should also transfer all acquired knowledge and experience into practice. Pavle Hevka, director of 2TDK, expressed the opinion that the wish of all those present is that the work continues in the same way, as it is well defined. It is commendable that one segment of the construction profession has managed to connect so well and that it works well for the state. A member of the DARS Management Board, Boštjan Rigler, pointed out that it is key importance for DARS that this partnership between asphalt contractors and clients is maintained in the future, that they also grow together in quality and new technologies. Above all, it is important that they want stable contractors who will achieve the required quality of work. Director of ZGIGM at GZS, mag. Gregor Ficko pointed out that the Slovenian construction industry needs ZAS to teach young staff and transfer experience to the next generations, as roads will always be present and thus the asphalt industry.
