At Silvi Materials, operational excellence depends on strong leadership across every function, including dispatch, one of the most demanding and influential roles in ready-mix concrete. That’s why we’re proud to share the latest Industry Insights column from Jake Ables, published in Concrete Products.

In this installment, Jake examines what it takes to be a great concrete dispatch professional, drawing on conversations with Kristen Lovins, Vice President of Logistics at Silvi Materials. With decades of experience overseeing complex, multi-plant logistics operations, Kristen offers a firsthand perspective on the realities of dispatch in today’s ready-mix environment.

Jake frames dispatch excellence through the lens of a “five-tool player,” highlighting the core traits that consistently define top-performing dispatch professionals:

  • Grit to work through pressure-filled days with no margin for error
  • Composure to stay calm and make clear decisions when plans change
  • Adaptability to rebuild schedules in real time as conditions shift
  • Technological sophistication to leverage modern dispatch and tracking tools effectively
  • Strong communication to align customers, drivers, plants, and internal teams

Together, these traits underscore the critical role dispatch plays in service reliability, operational efficiency, and customer trust.

Read Jake Ables’ full column, “The Concrete Dispatch Professional: A Five-Tool Player,” in the January edition of Concrete Products to explore these insights in depth.

Dispatch professionals play a critical role in ready-mix operations, and Silvi Materials continues to invest in the people and teams who keep our business moving. Learn more about career opportunities at Silvi Materials.