Business View Magazine l January 2023

47 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 12 STEEL TANK INST I TUTE STEEL PLATE FABRICATORS ASSOCIAT ION STI/SPFA is identified by federal and state governmental entities, the broader steel industry, third-party agencies, and consumers as the organization best representing the steel fabrication industry. With members from around the world that have a vast pool of collective knowledge in fabrication specialty steel structures. STI/SPFA is recognized for its leading tank technologies, storied history, advocacy, and prominent activities and programs. The organization has a clear mandate, according to Executive Vice President Tim O’Toole. That mandate is to move the organization forward and respond to the needs of STI/SPFA members, the steel fabrication industry, and their customers. Within that strategy are ways to champion steel storage tanks, water pipe, pressure vessels, and other steel plate fabricated products. The overall mission is to promote and unite the steel plate fabrication industry and related products through high-quality standards, development, education, and communications. Those also incorporate some of the association’s six core pillars along with operational support, marketing, building strong membership, and safety initiatives. “We focus a significant amount of our time on education and safety and have expanded in those areas, especially with webinars and other online tools” says O’Toole. One additional example was the hiring of a safety consultant on the STI/ SPFA staff to help provide answers to questions that members have on topics like purchasing, equipment, standards, and OHSA issues. On the education side, STI/SPFA offers at least one free online webinar per month, with others scheduled based on needs and demand. Topics are generated based on member feedback and surveys. While the online educational segment of STI/ SPFA’s efforts is critical, O’Toole is pleased that in- person events have ramped up in 2022, allowing the organization to host in-person training as well. Another topical area that STI/SPFA members have addressed is field-erected storage tanks which can feature information on