The Steel Tank Institute/Steel Plate Fabricators Association (STI/SPFA) has released an updated strategic plan following approval by the Board of Directors in September. The refreshed plan establishes a clear roadmap for the association’s long-term direction, growth, and industry leadership.
The full strategic plan is now available at: https://stispfa.org/about/strategic-plan/
A Vision for the Industry’s Future
The updated plan reaffirms STI/SPFA’s long-standing commitment to advancing steel plate fabricated products and supporting the companies and individuals who design, build, install, and maintain them.
The strategic plan establishes a clear vision: Be the champion of steel storage tanks, pipe, pressure vessels, and other steel plate fabricated products.
The association’s mission continues to guide the work: To promote and unite the steel plate fabricated products industry through standards development, education, and communication.
Long-Term Goals
At the highest level, the strategic plan outlines a 30-year “Big Hairy Audacious Goal”: Be the voice and go-to resource of the steel fabrication industry.
Looking ahead five to ten years, the Board identified several major objectives such as expanding membership, increasing digital content, and strengthening STI/SPFA’s position as a trusted technical and educational authority.
Six Strategic Pillars
The plan’s actionable priorities for the next three years are organized around six strategic pillars that will guide programs, resources, and investments:
Operations
Enhancing the member experience through improved systems, financial stability, governance, and staff development.
Education
Expanding training, certifications, webinars, and professional development opportunities — including new programs such as the Emerging Leaders certificate program and Pipe Installer Certification.
Marketing
Increasing visibility for STI/SPFA and its members by strengthening communications, content creation, branding, and messaging about the advantages of steel.
Membership
Growing the member community, increasing engagement, enhancing benefits, and developing new benchmarking and research initiatives.
Safety
Promoting safe and healthy workplaces by expanding safety resources, training, participation in safety programs, and collaboration with the Safety & Health Committee.
Advocacy
Strengthening STI/SPFA’s voice on legislative and regulatory issues while building relationships with policymakers, supporting workforce development efforts, and representing members’ interests in Washington and beyond.
Why the Update Matters
The steel fabrication industry continues to evolve as infrastructure needs grow, workforce challenges persist, and sustainability becomes increasingly important. The updated strategic plan provides clarity and direction for addressing these changes while ensuring STI/SPFA remains a strong, member-driven organization.
It also creates a shared framework that members, committees, and staff can use to align priorities, grow engagement, and deliver greater value across all sections of the association.
“With this updated roadmap, STI/SPFA is well-positioned to continue its leadership in steel fabrication standards, education, safety, and advocacy,” said Robby Hagemann, President/CEO of Boardman LLC and President of the STI/SPFA Board of Directors.
What’s Next for Members
Members are encouraged to visit the STI/SPFA website to review the full strategic plan and identify ways to support or participate in new initiatives.
The plan serves as a practical guide for organizational growth, member engagement, content development, and advocacy efforts—helping member companies and the association move forward together. Members are invited to engage with committees to help advance these priorities.
A Strong Path Forward
The Board of Directors’ work provides a continued foundation to support members, strengthen the industry, and promote the benefits of steel for decades to come.
STI/SPFA invites all members and industry stakeholders to join in the strategic journey — to champion steel-fabricated products, elevate standards, expand education, and collaboratively drive industry excellence.
