SEMA Insights
The newsletter for SEMA Members
Issue 6 | December 2024
President's Welcome
Welcome to our last newsletter of the year and my first as the new incoming President for SEMA!
I want to start this welcome with a big thank you to our outgoing President, Matt Grierson, who, over the last three years has led SEMA through some significant changes that have undoubtedly put the association in a strong position.
With a changing government and economic uncertainties, the last year has, at times, been tough not only for this industry but most businesses in the UK. However, with an ever-growing e-commerce audience and an evolving logistics market where warehouses become multi-functional spaces, next year will present many opportunities for our members. Of course, as demand for warehousing grows and, as an association that always puts safety at the heart of every decision we make, ensuring warehouse owners are aware of our processes, guidance and knowledge remains as important as ever. We have already seen a growing awareness of the work of SEMA within the industry and next year we aim to push this even further.
All it leaves me to say is that I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and we’ll see you all in 2025!
Mesh Deck Publication - Now Out!
Our new Code of Practice for the Specification, Design, Testing and Use of Wire Mesh Decks has now been approved. The code provides information and guidance on the correct methods of specification, design, testing and use of wire mesh decks.
You can get a copy of the code by heading over to the Publications page on our website.
Did you know....for anyone looking to become a SEMA Approved Racking Inspector (SARI), we have an Online Assessment Application Form on our website. If you’re thinking about applying for the training, fill in the online assessment and it provides an indicator of the likelihood of success in the SARI course.
The process works - our first delegate to take on SARI having first completed the online assessment has successfully passed the SARI course. Congratulations!
SEMA Logos
We need your help!
If any of our members see one of the SEMA family of logos misrepresented please contact the SEMA office by calling 01543 278 489 or emailing enquiry@sema.org.uk.
If you’re not sure where or when to use the SEMA logos take a look at our SEMA Brand Guidelines.
Put these dates in your diary
➤ SARI Conference - 6th March 2025
➤ SEMA Members Conference - 20th November 2025
SEMA Members Conference
On Thursday 14th November, we welcomed our SEMA Members to a fun day of learning. It was great to see so many of our members there for a day that covered the work of SEMA plus advice on improving safety in storage equipment. If you missed it, here’s a roundup of the day.
Membership Audit Update
Matt Grierson delivered an update on behalf of Martyn Heath about the SEMA Member audits. These audits are an important part of the SEMA association and demonstrates a company’s suitability to become one of our members.
The audit puts an emphasis on:
- SEMA specifics including Codes of Practice
- Use of competent installers and qualified racking inspectors
- Correct use of load notices
- Ensuring required insurances are in place
- Correct progress of projects from quotations to installation, signs offs, and all points in between
- The other requirements relate to Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality Management Systems
Fischer
Mirka Valovicova, Technical Manager at Fischer covered the importance of anchors, compliance with the latest legislations, design topics and a demonstration of their C-Fix software and how it can help racking designers and installers. The presentation also looked at bad practice examples and ways to avoid issues and how their products provide solutions.
SEMA Members
SEMA President, Nick Betteley gave an update on the new SEMA Membership structure which has changed to the following:
Old Membership Group
New Membership Group
Full Members
SEMA Approved Manufacturer - Full Members
SEMA Associate Members
SEMA Associate Company Members
SEMA Distributor Group Members
SEMA Approved Members (standard or advanced)
SEMA Approved Installation Company
SEMA Approved Members (standard or advanced)
Nick also gave an update on how and where members can use the SEMA family of logos.
Technical Committee
Alan Worrell and Mike Savage gave a talk on changes to SEMA and European codes:
New
Withdraw
Revised / Under Revision
Likely To Be Revised
Load Notice Code - aligned with new policy
Code of practice for wire mesh decks
Code of practice for the design of low-rise static steel shelving - Revised from 1986/1994 code
TB11 Sheet or Panel product storage
TB12 load data on load notices
FEM10.2.06-2 Design of Hand Loaded Steel Static Shelving - Based on EN15512 but more complicated and likely to need advanced FE software
FEM10.2.21 industrial steel platforms – principles for structure design
FEM9.832 – S/R machines – tolerances, deformations and clearances in automatic small parts warehouses - FEM R+S want to change FEM9.832 to increase deformation limits, extend application above 24m and thermal expansion exceeds down-aisle tolerances (co-ordinate positioning)
EN18121 – design and use of free-standing steel rack protection for adjustable pallet racking - expected September 2026
EN 15635:2008 Static Steel Storage Systems
EN 15629:2008 Static Steel Storage Systems – Specification of Storage equipment
EN 15512:2020 – Static Steel Storage Systems – Adjustable Pallet Racking – Principles of Structural Design
EN 16681:2016 – Static Steel Storage Systems – Adjustable Pallet Racking – Principles of Seismic Design
SARI
Chris Cook gave an update on the SARIs. There are currently 174 active SARIs worldwide which includes 93 SARIs who have successfully complete the cantilever qualification.
To check inspectors meet SEMA standards, there is a review underway to check that SARI reports comply with HSG76, SEMA Technical Bulletin No.05 and the SEMA Guide to the Conduct of Racking and Shelving Inspections. Chris also ran through the new SARI constitution, changes to CPD qualifying criteria and updating details to SARI listings on the SEMA website.
SEIRS
Chris Humphreys gave an update on the number of SEIRS courses held this year which has seen the following increases (percentage increase/decrease compared to 2023 shown in brackets):
Course
No. of Course
No. of Delegates
Foundation
20 (5%)
211 (17%)
Diploma
42 (56%)
325 (67%)
Higher Level Supervisors
3 (50%)
20 (150%)
Higher Level Managers
4 (33%)
24 (9%)
SEMA Marketing and PR
Becky Green from Aura PR gave an update on SEMA marketing and publicity activity in 2024. SEMA are still being covered in the main warehouse and logistics media titles and there will be a push in 2025 to extend the reach further. LinkedIn activity remains strong with three posts going out each week covering a range of topics.
A new social media strategy has been put in place to drive engagement further and identify which areas work and mixing up message formats.
This year also saw the launch of the new and improved SEMA website which has created distinct messaging for the different audiences who visit the site, improved navigation and increase clickable links and buttons.
Since the website launched it has seen:
A-Safe Group
Ben Allen from A-Safe Group gave a talk on their safety systems which they design to create safe workplaces. Their products include warehouse safety barriers, guards for racking, warehouse bollards and posts and warehouse barriers for pedestrians.
SEIRS Diploma
We’ve hit the significant milestone of 500 SEIRS Diplomas.
A big thank you to all our members who have supported this key training initiative.
Media Roundup
IPE - Maintenance Management Guide 2024
This article looked at the legislation and guidance for
storage equipment
Warehouse & Logistics News - September 15th
Every month the Is This Your Problem article helps warehouse owners with their storage equipment questions
Warehouse & Logistics News - October 15th
Did you know the work of SEMA is referenced in HSG76? We discussed the subject in our front cover piece for W&LN
Warehouse & Logistics News - October 15th
In the Warehouse Supplement our new President explored how to keep the racking in your warehouse safe
Logistics Matters Annual
In this annual guide, we explored the steps needed to ensure your racking remains a profitable investment
