Stairbuilders and Manufacturers Association Blog.

The SMA attended the International Code Council's Expo and Conference in October 2023.  Dave Cooper, SMA Code Development Representative, and Renda Barr, SMA Vice President encouraged Early Adoption of the new Floor Framing Supporting Guards regulations to Code...

By Delon Shetler, SMA Member, Heartland Stairways Several weeks ago the International Code Council (ICC) held public comment hearings in Louisville, Kentucky. As most of you know, code is arguably the single most important action item of the SMA. Stair code concerns...

The Stairbuilders and Manufacturers Association Governance Committee is seeking candidates for nomination to join the Board of Directors. Make a positive impact in the stair industry! Thoughtfully nominate yourself or a respected peer as a candidate for election. More...

JOIN THE COMPETITION By John Wonderly, SMA Member, Owner - John Wonderly Architectural Woodworking John Wonderly Architectural Woodworking consists of one employee and myself. I have been in the stair building industry for over 34 years. I have been with the SMA close...

2015...2018...2021...What is Next? If you guessed 2024 you might understand that code development is a 3-year cycle. The 2024 IBC development cycle ended early this year with confirmation of the Online Governmental Consensus Vote, OGCV. The final hearing of the 2024...

Because of significant issues affecting our industry in the 2024 code cycle many of our members have answered the call to join myself at the ICC Public Comment Hearing to be held this week, September 14 – 18, in Louisville, KY. We will have a contingent of seven SMA...

Have you heard? A brand-new member benefit is available for SMA members. We know that you need resources that help your business run efficiently while lowering costs. With that in mind, we’re excited to announce that you, our SMA members, now have access to shipping...

by Bob Schutte, SMA Member, Schutte Stair Company “You've got to buy this place, it’s time for me to retire.” Those were the words spoken to me over 40 years ago by my friend Clarence Reeve and that is what started my adventure into the stair business. I didn’t buy...

IN THE BEGINNING, there were Stairs! In the beginning of the SMA that is, stairs were threatened by unfounded regulation of our industry through the building code. We went in numbers to the code hearings sometimes as many as 8 or 10 SMA Members in line at the...

For you who are to young to remember, this ad slogan for auto tires indicates where the true test of successful achievement would be determined. If we had been texting back then it might have simply been WRMR. We do like our abbreviations and acronyms. The Public...