MHI Industry Group Series: Insights from the Storage Manufacturers Association (SMA)

Written by Mike Huff on April 14, 2025. Posted in Material Handling, Safety.

This special episode, part of the MHI Industry Group Series on The New Warehouse Podcast, offers an in-depth look at storage solutions and industry standards with the Storage Manufacturers Association (SMA). Joining Kevin are Terry Young, owner of Steele Solutions, and Chris Pahls, NexCaliber product manager at Steel King. Together, they discuss the evolution of warehouse storage, the significance of SMA certification, and emerging trends shaping storage solutions today. The conversation highlights how SMA’s standards and certifications drive safety, efficiency, and industry-wide consistency while keeping up with automation and robotics innovations in warehouse storage.

The Role of the Storage Manufacturers Association in Warehouse Storage

MHI’s Storage Manufacturers Association (SMA) plays a crucial role in ensuring that shelving, work platforms, and metal lockers meet high safety and performance standards. Founded initially as the Shelving Manufacturers Association, the group evolved into SMA by merging with the Association of Mezzanine Manufacturers in 1998.

According to Young, “The main goal of the association is to promote the safe design and utilization of shelving, work platforms, and metal lockers.” By bringing together 14 member companies across North America, SMA works collectively to develop and uphold industry standards, ensuring uniform safety and structural integrity.

Beyond standards, membership in SMA allows manufacturers to stay ahead of trends and regulations. As Pahls explains, “If you’re not involved, you’re kind of getting left behind.” Collaboration within SMA ensures that even competing companies work towards common industry improvements that benefit manufacturers, integrators, and end-users alike.

Storage Manufacturers Association Certification

An SMA certification is more than just a label—it signifies compliance with industry-leading safety and structural standards. From a manufacturer’s perspective, certification ensures their products meet rigorous design, manufacturing, and installation guidelines. Pahls outlines the three key areas of SMA certification:

Design competency to meet industry standards
Manufacturing quality and materials compliance
Installation and inspection protocols

For customers, SMA certification guarantees that their storage solutions meet structural integrity, safety, and seismic code requirements. Young explains its significance: “To be certified means you have followed the new code that’s in the book… it makes sure that everybody’s playing on the same level field at a quality standard.”

The certification process is rigorous, requiring manufacturers to submit design calculations, structural testing, and inspection reports. Additionally, companies undergo third-party engineering reviews to validate their manufacturing and installation capabilities.

Emerging Storage Trends: The Rise of Automation and Robotics

Warehouse storage is rapidly evolving as automation, robotics, and AI-driven systems become standard in modern logistics operations. Pahls notes how platforms are now foundational to automation, allowing for better utilization of warehouse space:

“Today, platforms are really the foundation to automation… we want to support and get the automation up off the ground level.”

Companies are integrating Automated Mobile Robots (AMRs) and Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), which require structurally sound platforms to support operations like charging stations, robotic arms, and high-density storage units.

However, future-proofing storage solutions isn’t always straightforward. Young emphasizes that storage structures must align with current, not future, specifications:

“Pre-planning for a system five years down the road is tough. New equipment comes in with higher standards, different specifications, and changing load requirements.”

With growing warehouse heights and a shift toward multi-level storage, SMA-certified structures help businesses maximize space while maintaining safety and compliance.

Key Takeaways from the Storage Manufacturers Association

SMA certification ensures storage solutions meet industry-wide safety, performance, and structural standards.
SMA brings together 14 manufacturers to create uniform guidelines for shelving, work platforms, and metal lockers.
Automation and robotics drive changes in storage design, with platforms playing a critical role in optimizing space.
Warehouse storage has evolved beyond simple racking, now integrating robotics, automation, and multi-level structures.
Future-proofing storage is complex, as standards and technology evolve rapidly, making SMA standards more crucial than ever.

Listen to the episode and leave your thoughts in the comments.