Two major trade associations for the steel fabrication industry — the Steel Tank Institute and Steel Plate Fabricators Association — have reached agreement on a combination.
Members of the two groups, each of which has existed for more than 80 years, voted for the combination during a meeting in Bonita Springs FL. The new trade group will be known as STI/SPFA, and will be based in Lake Zurich IL.
The move culminates 18 months of study and discussion between the associations. Member companies of STI and SPFA are manufacturers of fabricated metal products such as underground storage tanks, aboveground storage tanks for water or fuel, large-diameter water piping, pressure vessels, oil-water separators and other marketable goods primarily serving commercial, industrial and government applications.
Wayne Geyer, STI's executive vice-president, will assume the responsibility of managing STI/SPFA after SPFA dissolves its current organization and closes its Cincinnati OH offices.
After dissolution, SPFA will transfer its assets, but no liabilities, to STI, and SPFA members will become members of STI/SPFA. The new organization will be organized with two divisions operating under the names of Steel Tank Institute and Steel Plate Fabricators Association.