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Who we are
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:
- To promote and protect interests of springmakers in the United States and Canada.
- To serve as a clearinghouse and source of information on the many facets of business relating to the industry.
- To establish a cordial relationship among members, and between members and suppliers to the industry.
- To provide significant services to the membership.
- To inspire professional business standards among membership.
- 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.
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