Storage Manufacturers Association: Raising the Bar for Safety, Standards and the Future of Industrial Platforms
Article from MHI Solutions Magazine
WITHIN MHI, THE Storage Manufacturers Association (SMA) serves as a steadying force in an industry undergoing rapid technological change. Its members design and manufacture the platforms, shelving and elevated work structures that form the literal foundation of modern warehouses and distribution centers.
What distinguishes SMA is its commitment to shared standards, engineering rigor and a long‑term approach to safety—priorities championed by its current leaders: Chris Pahls, chair and product manager for platforms at MHI member Steel King Industries, Inc.; Keith Shipman, vice chair and national sales manager at MHI member Cornerstone Specialty Wood Products; and Tyler Drouin, acting engineering chair and director of platform design at MHI member Steele Solutions, Inc.
A MISSION ROOTED IN SAFETY AND STANDARDS
Safety remains central to SMA’s mission. As Pahls puts it, “Safety standards are, in our charter, the main thing.” Over the past several years, the group has focused on the progression of standards development and the safety of products across the membership. That work includes maintaining ANSI standards, supporting International Code Council (ICC) code adoption and ensuring that the engineering subcommittee continues to refine and update guidance. “Our engineering chairs and membership delegates meet monthly to continue developing those standards and maintain them going forward,” Pahls said…
