"Rapid changes in technology and communication today are added to the pressure of globalization. If we are to meet these challenges, we must band together, starting at the regional level, and use everything at our disposal to present a united front as a single voice for our industry. I urge each of you to support your local spring association and to work with SMI to make this industry an exapmple of how, by working together, we can all prosper." - Dan Sebastian, president.

Become an SMI Member
SMI stands for serving, supporting and educating North American precision spring manufacturers in their pursuit of competitiveness in world markets.
As the spring industry continues to mature, it faces challenges from many sources.
As each and every springmaker improves, so do the strength and vitality of the industry.
Like a chain, an industry is only as strong as its weakest link.

President's Message by Reb Banas, Stanley Spring and Stamping

The SMI Executive Committee from left to right: Scott Rankin, Dan Sebastian, Reb Banas, Steve Moreland and Shane Johnson at the SMI Annual Convention in March.

The Spring Manufacturers Institute (SMI), founded in 1933, is an association of companies that manufacture springs, and their associate suppliers. The members of SMI work together to meet the key issues of the industry worldwide: quality, materials, technology, government regulations.

The objectives of SMI are:

  1. To promote and protect interests of springmakers in the United States and Canada.
  2. To serve as a clearinghouse and source of information on the many facets of business relating to the industry.
  3. To establish a cordial relationship among members, and between members and suppliers to the industry.
  4. To provide significant services to the membership.
  5. To inspire professional business standards among membership.
  6. The many services of SMI include:

Publications: Springs magazine is published by SMI four times a year. Guided by a committee of springmakers, the magazine includes technical and how-to information, as well as articles on management issues and industry news.

In addition to the Handbook of Spring Design, SMI publishes Mechanical Springs by A.M. Wahl, the Encyclopedia of Spring Design, the Americans With Disabilities Act Manual, the Slide Forming Concepts Manual, and the Springmaking Concepts Workbook.

Software: SMI's Advanced Spring Design Software (ASD) simplifies the spring design process. It calculates designs, and creates plots and drawings for extension, compression, torsion and other types of springs.

Industry Data: A number of surveys are conducted on a regular basis so that members can better understand the spring industry and the trends within it. The Market Summary measures the sales, purchases, financial ratios and other factors related to the spring industry. Each quarter, the Key Business Trends survey tracks the business activity in the industry. Members find the Employee Benefits, Wage, Salary and Safety surveys all to be useful guidelines for their own companies.

Seminars: SMI offers a number of regional and online seminars each year to assist members with springmaking and business management issues.

Safety and Regulatory Compliance: Safety Audits are offered to members as a means to prepare for Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)/Canadian Ministry of Labor inspections. Participating members have lowered incidents of lost-time injuries, lowered workers' compensation costs and avoided large fines from government regulatory agencies.

Seminars, In-House Safety Training sessions, "Be Aware" newsletters, safety posters and safety manuals also assist members with regulatory compliance.

Meetings: SMI Conventions and other meetings provide a forum for the exchange of information, as well as an opportunity to meet and network with fellow springmakers.

Technical Assistance: SMI's technical director is on hand to answer your technical questions relating to spring manufacture and materials. The Failure Analysis service also helps spring companies solve problems with specific spring applications.

Regular Membership in the Spring Manufacturers Institute is open to any North American company or North American branch of an international company that manufactures precision mechanical springs for general sale.

Internal Producer Membership is open to any North American company or North American branch of an international company that produces springs primarily for related companies.

Associate Membership is offered to firms that supply materials, equipment or services on a continuing basis to the spring manufacturer.


SMI Executive Committe:

  • President: Reb Banas, president of Stanley Spring & Stamping
  • Vice President: Scott Rankin, president of Vulcan Spring & Mfg. Co.
  • Secretary/Treasurer: Steve Moreland, president of Automatic Spring Products
  • Immediate Past President: Dan Sebastian, president of MW Industries Inc.
  • SMI Director-at-Large: Russ Bryer, president of Spring Team

In addition to the elected officers, SMI is governed by the board of directors listed below along with their committee chair assignments:

  • Regional
  • Illinois - Dan Bishop (Automatic - IL) (1 year)
  • Mid-Atlantic - Mark Habicht (Kirk Habicht - MD) (2 year)
  • Connecticut - Ted White (Membership) (Hardware Products - MA) (2 year)
  • Canada - Chris Wharin (Bohne Spring - Can) (1 year)
  • Southwest - Ron Curry (Gifford Spring - TX) (1 year)
  • Michigan - Tim Zwit (Technical) (American Coil - MI) (2 year)
  • California - Mike Betts (National/Legal Affairs) (Betts Spring - CA) (2 year)
  • Ohio - Gary Dickerhoff (Yost Superior - OH) (1 year)
  • Southeast - Tom Armstrong (Duer - SC) (2 year)

  • At-Large
  • Bob Iorio (Associate) (Gibbs - CT) (1 year)
  • Dennis Backhaus (Benchmarking) (Spiros Industries - WI) (2 year)
  • Tim Bianco (Iowa Spring - IA)
  • Ann Davey (Spouses) (John Evans Sons - PA) (2 year)
  • Richard Rubenstein (Magazine) (Plymouth Spring - CT) (2 year)
  • Chris Witham (Motion Dynamics - MI) (1 year)
  • Steve Kempf (Regulatory) (Lee Spring - NY) (1 year)
  • Bert Goering (Precision Spring Coil - CA) (1 year)
  • Linda Froehlich (Ace Wire Spring & Form - PA) (1 year)

To contact Directors or Committee Chairs, please e-mail the SMI office at lynne@smihq.org, and we will forward your message to them.


Today's economic challenges require a proactive response. Strengthen your company by joining SMI today. Click here to learn more.

__You are eligible to become a Regular Member of SMI if you are a North American company or North American branch of an international company that manufactures precision mechanical springs for general sale. Dues are based on total number of employees.
Regular Member Application

__You are eligible to become an Internal Producer Member if you are a North American company or North American branch of an international company that produces springs primarily for related companies. Dues are $2,860.
Internal Producer Application

__You are eligible to become an Associate Member of SMI if your company supplies products or services to North American manufacturers of precision mechanical springs. Dues are based on sales volume.
Associate Member Application

SMI Staff:
Lynne Carr, Member Services Director, Advertising Sales Manager
Dina Sanchez, Administrative Coordinator
Luke Zubek, Technical Director

Spring Manufacturers Institute
2001 Midwest Road, Suite 106
Oak Brook, IL 60523-1335 USA
Phone: (630) 495-8588, Fax: (630) 495-8595
E-mail: lynne@smihq.org