About Us
For over 50 years, Sterling Systems & Controls has helped manufacturers make better, safer products—on spec, on time. We design and build custom process automation and material handling systems, then stand behind them with control panels, software, and lifecycle support. From feed mills to baking and pet food, customers choose Sterling for measurable accuracy, traceability, and throughput—delivered by a hands-on engineering team.
Our Mission
Build practical automation that operators trust and managers can measure—accuracy, uptime, and audit-ready data—without overcomplicating your plant.
What We’re Known For
Custom engineering, not catalog widgets: Systems tailored to materials, rates, hygiene, and compliance.
One accountable partner: Equipment + controls + software + commissioning.
Operator-first design: Clear HMI, alarm discipline, and recipe governance.
Scalable platforms: Start semi-auto; expand plant-wide when ready.
Where We Operate
Feed mills, pet food, baking & food processing, agriculture, rubber compounding, and allied process industries—worldwide.
Outcomes We Target
±Tolerance accuracy with micro/minor/major additions
Higher OEE & throughput via recipe control and device coordination
Traceability & compliance (lot tracking, audit trails, e-records)
Lower waste & rework through repeatability and data feedback
How We Work With You
Discovery: process goals, materials, rates, regulations
Design: P&IDs, FDS, controls & data architecture
Build/FAT: mechanical, electrical, software, documentation
Commission: training, handover, performance tuning
Support: preventative maintenance plans and upgrades
People & Practices
Cross-discipline engineers: process, electrical, controls, and software under one roof
UL-labeled panels and robust documentation
SQL-backed data for reporting, KPIs, and audits
Safety-first integration with dust control, interlocks, and lockout support
FAQ
Q: What makes Sterling different from system integrators?
A: We engineer and manufacture: equipment, panels, PLC/HMI, and software—one accountable partner from design through support.
Q: Can you start small?
A: Yes. Many clients begin with semi-automatic hand-prompt batching and scale to plant-wide automation later.
Q: How do you ensure traceability?
A: Recipe governance, lot/ingredient tracking, event logs, and SQL-backed reporting.
Q: Do you integrate existing mixers/conveyors?
A: Routinely. We design around upstream/downstream equipment and site constraints.
How We Customize a System For You
Analyze
We interview your staff to determine the goals of your project.
Develop
With our application experience, we develop a custom-engineered solution to meet your goals and make your process more efficient.
Profit
You profit from our more than 50 years of experience in Animal Feed Milling, Baking, Food Processing, Pet Food, Agricultural and Industrial Processes, Process Equipment, Automation and Data Management.
Company History – Sterling Systems & Controls, Inc.
Founded by former National Manufacturing Controls engineers in 1972, Sterling Systems & Controls delivered its first continuous batching system in the early 1970s and expanded from feed mills into baking, pet food, chemicals, and broader industrial processes. Acquired by Prater Industries’ owners in 1987, the partnership enabled complete, integrated systems. In 2000, the company adopted the name Sterling Systems & Controls, Inc. In 2014, Industrial Magnetics, Inc. acquired both Sterling and Prater; today, both are part of the IPEC family.
Industrial Magnetics, Inc. purchased both Sterling Systems & Controls, Inc. and Prater Industries in 2014. Since 1961, Industrial Magnetics has been a leader in manufacturing innovative, engineered permanent magnet and electromagnetic solutions. Today Sterling Systems & Controls, Inc. is a proud part of the International Process Equipment Company (IPEC) family, which also includes Prater Industries and Industrial Magnetics (IMI).