At Meldgaard Group, you now have the chance—if you’re quick enough, of course—to challenge the boss to a game of padel. The environmental and transport company has invested in a brand-new multi-purpose sports hall, strengthening employee connections while making Meldgaard Group an even more attractive workplace for new talent.
At Meldgaard Group, employee well-being isn’t just something they talk about—it’s something they invest in. Last December, the company took its biggest step yet in this area, opening a modern sports hall at its headquarters in Aabenraa. Here, colleagues can meet across departments, whether they want to break a sweat playing padel, hit the weights in the fitness area, or relax over a game of backgammon in the lounge.
The new sports hall came about as part of the company’s expansion of its administration facilities—and a genuine desire to do something extra for their employees. All employees were invited to share their ideas and wishes. It started with simple suggestions like a new bike shed and more fruit in the canteen. But the ideas quickly grew, and so did the ambitions of management.
“When we do something, we do it properly. We could feel there was strong support for taking it a step further. So we took a deep breath—and we went for it,” says Line Meldgaard, CEO of Meldgaard Group.
Since the decision was made, there’s been no looking back. Three months after the grand opening, the sports hall has already exceeded expectations. It’s become a natural meeting point across departments and job functions—and is in daily use by employees.
The fitness area in the sports hall is state-of-the-art and fully equipped with everything from strength training machines to cardio equipment—providing employees with the perfect setting for an effective workout whenever it suits them.
An investment in well-being — and the future
Meldgaard Group’s new sports hall isn’t just about exercise and community. It’s also part of the company’s strategy to attract new talent.
“The whole idea behind the sports hall is that we’re incredibly grateful for our employees. We wanted to give something back to them. And we believe that when we offer our people something extra, it boosts both their job satisfaction and their desire to stay here—while also attracting the people we’d like to hire,” says Line Meldgaard.
She adds that the sports hall was also built to reflect the company’s values and vision:
“We built it because we like it ourselves, and because we want to strengthen the culture we have—and send the right signals about the kind of workplace we want to be.”
As soon as the clock strikes 4 PM, the sports hall fills up with employees, laughter, and a great sense of camaraderie.
It’s in our DNA
At Meldgaard Group, going the extra mile for employees is a natural part of the culture. As a family-owned company with a flat organizational structure, close relationships and personal connections are highly valued—whether you work in the canteen in Aabenraa or drive a truck in Varde.
“We come to work to earn a living, but we also come to have fun. And when we have fun together, it’s easier to go that extra mile,” says Line Meldgaard.
She emphasizes that the company’s commitment to employee care isn’t some textbook strategy:
“We say good morning to everyone in the building because it comes naturally—not because someone taught us to do it at a leadership course. We see ourselves as one big family,” she says.
More Than Just a Sports Hall
The new sports hall is even designed to accommodate a truck, making it versatile enough for events and trade shows.
And it’s just one piece of a larger puzzle. Meldgaard Group offers a wide range of employee benefits:
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Health ambassadors
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The sports hall is designed to accommodate a truck, making it versatile enough to be used for events and trade shows.
Canteen and fruit programs
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Participation in running events like DHL Relay and mountain marathons
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Staff events such as stand-up comedy nights and line dancing
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Vacation homes available for rent through the employee holiday fund
…and much more.
“We don’t do this because we have to—we do it because we believe it creates the work environment we’re passionate about. And because it helps us attract future talent,” concludes Line Meldgaard.
Open house on May 1
Businesses, partners, and other interested parties will have the opportunity to visit the new sports hall during an Open House event on May 1, 2025. Registration is required.
About Meldgaard Group
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Meldgaard Group has 14 independent divisions, primarily within the companies Meldgaard A/S, Meldgaard Miljø A/S, and Meldgaard Transport A/S.
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Headquarters are located at Askelund 10 in Aabenraa, Denmark.
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The group employs a total of 770 people.
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The companies within Meldgaard Group have a combined annual turnover of approx. DKK 1.5 billion.
Source: Meldgaard Group
