Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/93285
Doors Opening Its In June, Silvi Group Companies hosted an open house at its Belle Mead Quarry. Its community relations efforts are designed to be long-term, grounded in reality, and innovative. Through a variety of community relations programs, Silvi Group strives to be an asset to the communities in which it operates. by Therese Dunphy, Editor-in-Chief N 12 AGGREGATES MANAGER October 2012 early 15 years ago, Fairless Hills, Pa.- based Silvi Group Companies began its foray into community engagement by sponsoring a Little League team near its Eagles Lake Reserve sand and gravel operation. "We wanted our mine and the community to have a mutually beneficial relationship," explains Larry Silvi who, with his brother John, co-owns the Silvi Group Companies. Since then, it has expanded its commu- nity relations efforts and its business — to the ben- efit of the communities in which it operates. Today, the company includes seven ready-mix plants (Silvi Concrete); four sand and gravel operations (Sahara Sand); a cement and aggregate import terminal (Riverside Construction Materials); and one hard rock quarry — with an additional greenfield site un- dergoing permitting (Gibraltar Rock). Building the diverse business requires both an excellent reputation and strong ties to local com- munities, particularly with regard to Silvi's mining operations in New Jersey, which is a home-rule state where local townships grant operating permits. "In my opinion, a good community relations program has to be grounded in reality, innovative, and the commitment has to be long term," says Uday Patankar, P.E., the company's vice president of environmental and public affairs. "One-and-done overtures tend not to be successful." Early ventures Rather than focusing on one-time events, Silvi Group has taken a systemic approach to working with its local communities. For example, one ini- tiative that began in 1998 and continues today is the annual donation of approximately 400 turkeys to volunteer firefighters near each of its locations. Timed for distribution around the winter holidays, Patankar says the idea stemmed from the company's