Looking for ways to achieve storage rack safety compliance? Have questions about how to successfully integrate industrial racking with automation? ProMat 2025 attendees will find answers to both questions — and many others — in two separate on-floor education presentations.
Open to all ProMat participants as part of their free registration, the sessions are in Knowledge Center Theaters located throughout the show. Members of the Rack Manufacturers Institute (RMI) present each topic, covering the latest trends and developments. Attendees can also get their questions answered during the seminars.
Learn the Basics of Storage Rack Safety
The first seminar, “Storage Rack Safety 101” runs on Monday, March 17 from 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. Central time. The MHI Industry Groups Theater to the right of the ProMat Pier in Lakeside Center Hall D hosts this session.
The presentation features insights from:
- Brian Boals, Sales Manager for National Accounts at RMI member Ridg-U-Rak
- Marc Rousseau, Vice President of National Accounts and Strategic Partnerships at RMI member Damotech
Boals and Rousseau will introduce RMI’s design and utilization resources to help warehouse operators improve storage rack safety. These include:
- The ANSI MH16.1 Standard for Design, Testing, and Utilization of Industrial Steel Storage Racks
- The ANSI MH16.3 Standard for the Design, Testing, and Utilization of Industrial Steel Cantilevered Storage Racks
- The ANSI MH26.2 Standard for the Design, Testing, and Utilization of Industrial Storage Rack Decking
- Considerations for the Planning and Use of Industrial Steel Storage Racks
- Guideline for the Assessment and Repair or Replacement of Damaged Rack
The session will detail design features that improve storage rack safety. Further, it will describe the types of engineering documentation operations should keep on file. Additional safety topics include load capacity signage, rack inspections and maintenance, safety accessories and protective guarding, and fire protection requirements.
“Warehouse operators must take storage rack safety seriously, as it is their responsibility to safeguard the well-being of associates,” said Rousseau. “RMI members share a commitment to helping operations meet their safety compliance goals. Therefore, we’ll be sharing a lot of safety information, as well as answering questions from session participants.”
Further, noted Boals, today’s warehousing operations are in a constant state of flux. “In recognition of those continuous changes, we’ll highlight the areas where RMI members most often see safety issues arise,” he explained. “We’ll also explore how to assess rack system damage and make decisions about repairing or replacing damaged components.”
Prepare to Successfully Integrate Automation and Rack
The second seminar, “Pallet Racking Systems and Design for an Automated Future” occurs on Tuesday, March 18 from 3:45 – 4:30 p.m. Central time. Theater A in the far right-hand corner of the South Building Hall A hosts this presentation.
The session will detail the measures required to integrate conventional rack with the increasing amount of automation deployed in warehousing. Sharing insights into the topic are:
- Chris Aprile, Senior Structural Engineer at RMI member Steel King Industries
- Bill Edgy, Director of National Accounts at RMI member Automha Americas Automation Corp.
- Carlos Oliver, President of RMI member Frazier Industrial Co.
The presenters will highlight the different types of pallet rack and shelving systems. They will also cover the strengths, challenges, and smart rack design considerations that can make it easier to effectively incorporate automation in the future. Attendees will learn the rack requirements of specific automated solutions for successful deployments. Covered technologies covered will include automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), automatic guided vehicles (AGVs), and case handling systems.
“Most existing rack systems lack the tight tolerances required by most automated systems,” explained Oliver. “We’ll explain why it’s important to be thinking ahead when designing a new system if an automation deployment is on the horizon.”
“That said, many rack manufacturers today are increasingly incorporating design features that can accommodate future automation integrations more readily,” Aprile added. “We’ll discuss some of these trends and changes we’re seeing in the industry.”
Watch RMI’s Educational Sessions Post-ProMat
Unable to attend RMI’s ProMat presentations in person? The seminars and their accompanying audio recordings will be online after ProMat’s conclusion. Registration for the entire event — including all education seminars — is free.
Learn More About Storage Rack Safety and Automation Integration
Want to learn more about improving storage rack safety or integrating automation with rack before ProMat 2025? Visit RMI’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page. Further, many RMI members will be exhibiting at the show. Visit their booths for additional insights and guidance on these topics and more.
