SEMA Insights
The newsletter for SEMA Members
Issue 8 | September 2025
President's Welcome
And just like that, the summer holidays are winding down, and it’s safe to say it’s officially time to get back to the office and gear up for the busy Christmas period (apologies – we did say the C-word!)
But before you dive straight in, here’s a quick round-up to keep you ahead of the game.
From updates on our latest campaigns to the launch of the brand-new SARI Verification system (helping you prove your inspectors’ credentials), and a reminder about the upcoming SEMA Members Conference, you can find it all here.
New SARI Training Course
At SEMA, our SARIs meet the highest standards. Only those with exceptional engineering knowledge and inspection expertise can pass our rigorous training. To raise the bar further, we’ve launched a two-part SARI course, designed to deliver even higher-quality warehouse inspections.
Part One:
A two-day course covering the assembly of adjustably pallet racking, structural awareness, racking configuration, and risk assessment. Participants must pass an exam at the end to advance to part two of the course.
Part Two:
A two-day course plus an additional day for the practical assessment. This course focuses on warehouse environment factors, inspections to SEMA standards, recording rack damage, and client liaison. Delegates must pass both a written exam and practical assessment to earn their SARI qualification.
New SEIRS Video
We have recently completed the development of our SEIRS Diploma training video, filmed with our staring cast of SEIRS trainers. Its inclusion is to ensure that all delegates have a full appreciation and understanding of what the practical element of the course entails, and more importantly, exactly what they will be assessed upon. It enables delegates to ask any questions before they enter into the hands-on practical stage of the course.
The video is the final part of the theoretical element on the morning of Day 1, and with this fresh in their minds, the trainees are divided into two teams to commence the practical aspect of the course, progressing to the Assessment on Day 2.
Stay Racking Safe Campaign
As you may have seen across our socials, we’ve been shining a spotlight on our Stay Racking Safe campaign.
The campaign has been developed to educate warehouse owners and managers on the risks of ignoring damaged racking. Visitors to the campaign page can download a free warehouse racking safety guide that explains the steps they need to take to stay on top of their responsibilities and achieve safe racking.
The results so far:
So far, the response has been phenomenal, and we want to say a big thank you to every member who’s supported the campaign, reposted and shared such positive feedback.
Our very first LinkedIn post announcing the campaign’s feature in Logistics News achieved twice the average monthly impressions SEMA normally sees. It’s sparked a fantastic response across the industry, with new leads coming through from major players in logistics.
Thanks to tracked URLs, we’ve also been able to see engaged sessions coming directly from the press coverage, and downloads of the safety guide have remained consistently strong, which is no small feat in such a niche market.
Together, we’ve taken warehouse racking safety to a whole new level.
In case you missed it, you can check out the full campaign details right here.
The Dangers of Second-Hand Racking
Have you seen our recent social media posts raising awareness on the risks of using Second-Hand Racking?
While we know there are plenty of companies in the market selling second-hand racking, we felt it was a subject we had to speak out about.
As a leading voice on safety, we want warehouse owners to be aware that when buying second-hand racking, you cannot be sure of its safety. This is largely down to the fact that you cannot reliably know its history, how it was inspected and repaired, and how it was stored when it was dismantled.
We have already sent out a few posts on the subject and as you’d expect it’s already gaining a lot of attention!
SARI Verification
In our previous newsletter, we discussed how we’re seeing a rise in the number of inspectors falsely claiming to be SARI qualified or conducting SARI inspections without the proper credentials.
At SEMA, we have taken a tougher approach and been proactive with our actions. We are delighted to announce the launch of our brand-new SARI Verification Website, which enables warehouse owners and managers to quickly and easily check an inspector's credentials.
All it takes is a simple scan of the QR code found on the inspector’s card. This directs end users to the SARI Verification site and with a few details entered online, they can instantly confirm whether that person is currently qualified and approved by SEMA.
This new verification tools makes it easier for customers to confirm they are working with a qualified inspector and support the quality of inspections our SARIs deliver to the industry.
Referencing SEMA on your Website
Do you reference SEMA on your website? If not, it might be something worth considering.
Adding SEMA to your site is like a badge of credibility, which:
✔ Shows clients you have been independently audited for full quality assurance.
✔ Demonstrates that you work to SEMA and industry standards.
✔ Shows you meet health and safety requirements, and have the correct legal and insurance documentation in place.
✔ Acts as a symbol of trust that can help you win over potential clients.
Not sure what to say?
Don’t worry, we’ll soon be emailing all members with some wording you can simply copy and paste straight onto your site.
We’d also like to kindly ask that you add a link back to the SEMA website. You can do this by hyperlinking words like SEMA, SARI, or SEIRS, or any related terms. These links could direct visitors to our homepage, the Knowledge Hub, or any information page you feel your audience would find valuable.
“ We are proud to be SEMA Approved Members. This accreditation is proof we’re qualified to help you with the design, supply, installation, and maintenance of your storage equipment to the highest quality standards, ensuring safety and reliability throughout the lifetime of your racking system.”
SEMA Conference
Don’t forget we have our SEMA Members Conference coming up on Wednesday, 19th November, at Worsley Park Country Club!
It’s set to be a very insightful day, packed with updates from SEMA as well as wider news from across the storage equipment industry, all thanks to our fantastic line-up of speakers we have planned. It’s the perfect opportunity to get prepared and stay ahead as we look towards 2026.
And of course, it’s also a great chance to catch up with colleagues, swap ideas, and support your team’s professional development. It’s a win-win event you won’t want to miss.
Media Roundup
This summer, we’ve really stepped up our media coverage game, focusing on promoting our Stay Racking Safe campaign. Through our features and articles, we’ve been putting our message in front of key industry players, encouraging warehouse owners and managers across the UK to keep employees safe and protect their businesses. To give you a snapshot of where we’ve been, here’s a round-up of our summer features:
W&LN - July 1st 2025
We share the five simple steps warehouse owners should follow to Stay Racking Safe, as outlined in our downloadable guide.
Industrial Plant & Equipment - Maintenance Management 2025-26
We go through all the areas that warehouse owners need to protect their employees and business.
UKWA - August 2025
We tackle the common racking myths and set the record straight, highlighting the five key steps warehouse operators should follow.
PBM - Jul/Aug 2025
Nick Betteley runs through how to meet legal requirements and why racking training is important to keep employees safe.
Logistics Matters - Jul/Aug 2025
We pose some questions warehouse owners should consider and walk through the correct actions to take, as outlined in our guide.
FHS - July 2025
In the article, we highlight the practical steps to racking safety, as covered in our Stay Racking Safe downloadable guide.
