Sterling Process Equipment and Services
Sterling Process Equipment and Services is a privately held Columbus, Ohio-based stainless steel fabricator founded in 1983 that designs, builds, and installs sanitary process equipment and modular skidded systems for food, beverage, dairy, and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the U.S.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersColumbus, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Sterling Process Equipment and Services does
Sterling Process Equipment and Services, Inc. is a privately held, Columbus, Ohio-based stainless steel fabricator founded in 1983 that designs, manufactures, and installs sanitary process equipment for food, beverage, dairy, and pharmaceutical manufacturers. The company operates a 35,000 sq. ft. fabrication facility with in-house welding (with documented certifications), water jet cutting, and finishing capabilities, and maintains a secondary sales/engineering office in Lakeland, Florida, to serve the Midwest and Southeast United States. Its offering spans manufactured components (sweep elbows, utility carts, utility stations, tee strainers, take-down spools, slot/trench drains, eductor tees, flow panels) and higher-value modular skidded systems (CIP/SIP skids, mixing and blending skids, hot water sets, valve clusters, COP tanks), supported by integrated design/engineering and field installation services from concept to commissioning.
The business model is project-based and quote-driven: customers submit specifications via a Request a Quote form, phone (614-868-5151), or email ([email protected]) and receive a response within 24 business hours, with no published pricing. Sterling is also an authorized distributor of complementary branded components from Alfa Laval (pumps, valves, heat exchangers), Rubber Fab (sanitary gaskets, O-rings, hoses), Fibergrate (FRP structures), and GripTread (non-slip decking), enabling bundled single-vendor system sales. It maintains a content-marketing presence through its corporate website and blog to support top-of-funnel discovery, while lead capture and deal closure run through direct sales.
The company employs 11–50 people and is led by founder and president Jerry Martin, with Tom Heinmiller ([email protected]) as a named point of contact. Ownership appears founder/management-controlled with no disclosed institutional investors, parent company, funding rounds, acquisitions, or M&A activity; financial metrics including revenue are not publicly disclosed. Strategic positioning emphasizes regulatory-aligned sanitary design (3-A, FDA, USP Class VI), long-term durability, and turnkey project execution for mid-market and enterprise manufacturers in regulated sanitary industries.
Sterling Process Equipment and Services firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sterling Process Equipment and Services
- Legal name
- Sterling Process Equipment and Services, Inc.
- Website
- https://sterlingpe.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Sterling Process Equipment and Services is a privately held Columbus, Ohio-based stainless steel fabricator founded in 1983 that designs, builds, and installs sanitary process equipment and modular skidded systems for food, beverage, dairy, and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the U.S.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sterling Process Equipment and Services industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sanitary Process Equipment Fabrication
- NAICS
- Food Product Machinery Manufacturing (333241), Packaging Machinery Manufacturing (333993)
- SIC
- Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Pump & Compressor Packages (Skids, Booster Sets) (IMAHANAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Process Automation Instrumentation & Control (DCS, Valves, Actuators, Analyzers) (IMAHAHAM)
Keywords
Where Sterling Process Equipment and Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Columbus
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Sterling Process Equipment and Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Custom Fabrication and Manufacturing: Sterling generates revenue through custom fabrication of stainless steel process equipment including sanitary tanks, valve clusters, utility carts, utility stations, tee strainers, sweep elbows, and other components. Products are configured to internal standards or customized to meet customer, industry, or project-specific requirements. Revenue is project-based with pricing determined by specifications and scope.
- Modular Systems (CIP/SIP Skids, Mixing/Blending Skids): Design, engineering, and fabrication of modular skid-mounted process systems including CIP (Clean-in-Place) and SIP (Steam-in-Place) skids, mixing and blending skids, hot water sets, valve clusters, and COP (Clean-Out-of-Place) tanks. Full-service solution from concept to installation.
- Engineering and Design Services: Integrated engineering services including design and engineering capabilities, software capabilities, and process engineering expertise for sanitary process systems.
- Field Installation Services: On-site field installation and repair services for process equipment, with field equipment capabilities to support installation projects.
- Distributed Products (Resale): Resale of distributed products from partner companies including Alfa Laval pumps and valves, Rubber Fab gaskets and hoses, Fibergrate FRP structures, and GripTread non-slip decking sheets. Sterling stocks many common products in-house for quick delivery.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Sterling Process Equipment and Services product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sterling Process Equipment and Services is a stainless steel fabricator and process engineering company that designs, manufactures, and installs sanitary process equipment for food, beverage, dairy, and pharmaceutical manufacturers. The company produces modular skidded systems (CIP/SIP, mixing and blending, hot water sets, valve clusters, COP tanks), custom stainless steel components (sweep elbows, utility carts, utility stations, tee strainers, slot drains, eductor tees, flow panels), and distributes complementary products from Alfa Laval, Rubber Fab, Fibergrate, and GripTread. Services span integrated design, in-house fabrication in a 35,000 sq. ft. facility, and field installation.
Product overview
Sterling Process Equipment and Services is a stainless steel fabrication and process engineering company offering a portfolio of manufactured products and distributed components for sanitary process applications. The core offering consists of modular skidded systems (CIP/SIP skids, mixing and blending skids, hot water sets, valve clusters, and COP tanks) and manufactured products (utility carts, utility stations, tee strainers, take-down spools, sweep elbows, slot drains, eductor tees, and flow panels). The company also distributes complementary products from partner manufacturers including Alfa Laval pumps and valves, Rubber Fab sanitary gaskets, Fibergrate composite structures, and GripTread non-slip surfaces. All products are designed for food, beverage, dairy, and pharmaceutical industries requiring sanitary stainless steel process equipment. Services include integrated engineering, stainless steel fabrication, and field installation from concept to completion.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Utility Carts
- Utility Stations
- Tee Strainers
- Take Down Spools
- Sweep Elbows
- Slot Drains
- Eductor Tees
- Flow Panels
- CIP/SIP Skids
- Mixing and Blending Skids
- Hot Water Sets
- Valve Clusters
- Clean-Out-of-Place (COP) Tanks
- Alfa Laval Products
- Rubber Fab Gaskets
- Fibergrate Composite Structures
- GripTread Non-Slip Decking Sheets
- Design & Engineering Services
- Fabrication Services
- Installation Services
Companies that use Sterling Process Equipment and Services
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Sterling Process Equipment and Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature10 records
Sterling Process Equipment and Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Alfa LavalcoreAlfa Laval is a leading global provider of heat transfer, separation, and fluid handling solutions including heat exchangers, separators, pumps, and valves. Sterling distributes Alfa Laval products, providing customers access to these complementary process equipment components as part of comprehensive system solutions.
- FibergratecoreFibergrate is the leading manufacturer of fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP), offering a lighter, corrosion-resistant, and non-conductive alternative to steel. Sterling distributes Fibergrate products, enabling customers to source FRP solutions for corrosive environments alongside Sterling's stainless steel offerings.
- GripTreadcoreGripTread is a slip-resistant product developed for the demanding conditions of food, beverage, and pharmaceutical production where chemical-resistant, sanitary surfaces are needed for both product and employee safety. Sterling distributes GripTread non-slip decking sheets and related products.
- Rubber FabcoreRubber Fab supplies quality sanitary seals, hoses, and rubber gaskets to the biopharmaceutical, food, beverage, and dairy industries. Sterling distributes Rubber Fab products including sanitary gaskets, O-rings, hose assemblies, screen gaskets, and other sealing solutions for hygienic process systems.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Sterling Process Equipment and Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- SPX Flow: Global supplier of process equipment including sanitary pumps, valves, mixers, and heat exchangers for food, beverage, and pharma. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose product portfolio overlaps with Sterling's process skid and valve cluster offerings.
- Alfa Laval: Global leader in heat transfer, separation, and fluid handling, including sanitary pumps and valves that Sterling distributes. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the same sanitary process equipment space where Sterling specializes as a smaller fabricator-distributor.
- Tetra Pak: Global incumbent in food processing and packaging equipment, including processing skids, mixing, and CIP systems. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose processing-segment equipment overlaps with Sterling's CIP/SIP and mixing skid portfolio.
- IDEX Corporation: Diversified industrial manufacturer with significant sanitary fluid handling exposure through brands like Viking Pump and Quadro. Comparable as a broad incumbent supplying pumps and process equipment into the same sanitary end markets Sterling serves.
Direct peers
- Paul Mueller Company: A long-established U.S. fabricator of stainless steel sanitary process equipment, tanks, and heat exchangers serving dairy, food, beverage, and pharmaceutical customers. Highly comparable to Sterling's custom sanitary fabrication and modular skid offerings.
- Apache Stainless Equipment Corporation: Custom stainless steel fabricator specializing in sanitary process equipment, custom tanks, and skid systems for food, beverage, dairy, and pharma. Direct competitor to Sterling in the custom sanitary fabrication niche.
- Enerquip: Designer and fabricator of sanitary heat exchangers and modular process skids for dairy, food, beverage, and pharmaceutical applications. Direct comparable as a small-to-mid specialty fabricator of modular sanitary process systems.
- Central States Industrial (CSI): Distributor and fabricator of sanitary stainless steel process equipment, fittings, and tubing serving food, beverage, dairy, and pharma. Comparable as a one-stop supplier combining proprietary products with distributed partner lines.
- Precision Stainless Inc. Custom stainless steel fabricator serving sanitary process industries with tanks, skids, and process piping. Direct competitor to Sterling in custom sanitary stainless fabrication for food, beverage, and pharma customers.
Emerging players
- HRS Heat Exchangers: Specialty manufacturer of heat exchangers and process equipment for hygienic applications in food, beverage, and pharma. Comparable as a focused, smaller specialist in hygienic process equipment serving the same regulatory-driven end markets.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Sterling Process Equipment and Services social profiles
Digital presenceSterling Process Equipment and Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sterling Process Equipment and Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Sterling Process Equipment and Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sterling Process Equipment and Services M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sterling Process Equipment and Services
What does Sterling Process Equipment and Services do?
Sterling Process Equipment and Services is a stainless steel fabricator and process engineering company that designs, manufactures, and installs sanitary process equipment for food, beverage, dairy, and pharmaceutical manufacturers. The company produces modular skidded systems (CIP/SIP, mixing and blending, hot water sets, valve clusters, COP tanks), custom stainless steel components (sweep elbows, utility carts, utility stations, tee strainers, slot drains, eductor tees, flow panels), and distributes complementary products from Alfa Laval, Rubber Fab, Fibergrate, and GripTread. Services span integrated design, in-house fabrication in a 35,000 sq. ft. facility, and field installation.
Is Sterling Process Equipment and Services a public or private company?
Sterling Process Equipment and Services is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Sterling Process Equipment and Services founded?
Sterling Process Equipment and Services was founded in 1983. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Sterling Process Equipment and Services based?
Sterling Process Equipment and Services is headquartered in Columbus, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sterling Process Equipment and Services make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Custom Fabrication and Manufacturing is the primary driver. The others are modular Systems (CIP/SIP Skids, Mixing/Blending Skids), engineering and Design Services, field Installation Services and distributed Products (Resale).
Who are Sterling Process Equipment and Services's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are SPX Flow, Alfa Laval, Tetra Pak and IDEX Corporation. Direct peers are Paul Mueller Company, Apache Stainless Equipment Corporation, Enerquip, Central States Industrial (CSI) and Precision Stainless Inc.. HRS Heat Exchangers is listed as an emerging player.
Does Sterling Process Equipment and Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sterling Process Equipment and Services.
What industry is Sterling Process Equipment and Services in?
Sterling Process Equipment and Services's product category is Sanitary Process Equipment Fabrication. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHANAG, Pump & Compressor Packages (Skids, Booster Sets), with a secondary code of IMAHAHAM, Process Automation Instrumentation & Control (DCS, Valves, Actuators, Analyzers). Its NAICS code is 333241 and its SIC code is 3550.