UL 508A industrial control panels. Designed, built, and shipped in 3 weeks from Greater Boston, Massachusetts.
Sterling Made is a UL 508A industrial control panel shop headquartered in Greater Boston, Massachusetts. We design, build, program, commission, and support custom control panels for manufacturers, system integrators, OEMs, and engineering firms across New England and nationwide. Our standard turnaround is 3 weeks from drawing approval — roughly one-third of the industry average lead time.
Sterling Made was founded in 2026 by two engineers who spent their careers in software before pivoting to industrial manufacturing. Through work adjacent to industrial automation, we saw the same problem repeat across companies and industries: panel procurement was broken. Quotes took a week or more. Lead times stretched to 8–12 weeks. Documentation was incomplete or nonexistent. Communication during the build was sparse.
We built Sterling Made to be the panel shop we wish existed when we were on the buying side. Modern processes applied to a traditional trade. Technology used to accelerate quoting and documentation, not to replace the skilled hands that build a quality panel. A business model where the founders are the builders — your panel is built by the people you spoke to on the phone, not assigned to an available crew member you will never meet.
We started this company with $940,000 in startup capital and zero debt. No venture capital. No investors to satisfy. No pressure to scale faster than quality allows. Sterling Made is built to last, not built to flip.
We are opening our panel shop in June 2026. Our quality system is built, our SOPs are documented, our test equipment is calibrated, and our UL 508A listing is in process. We are transparent about being a new company — and equally transparent about the standards we hold ourselves to from the very first panel.
Quality in panel building is not a marketing claim. It is a set of specific, measurable, auditable practices applied consistently to every panel that leaves the shop.
Every panel goes through a 48-point final QC inspection before it ships. The inspection covers mechanical assembly, electrical connections, wiring quality, labeling and marking, and functional verification. Every checkpoint is documented.
Every panel is hipot tested (dielectric voltage withstand test) per UL 508A Section 60. This test applies a high voltage between the power circuits and ground to verify that insulation and spacing are adequate. Test results are recorded and included in the document package.
The short-circuit current rating for every panel is calculated using the methodology in UL 508A Supplement SB. The SCCR worksheet is included in the document package so engineers and inspectors can review the methodology and component ratings.
All test instruments — hipot tester, megohmmeter, digital multimeters, insulated torque tools — are maintained on a documented calibration schedule with NIST-traceable calibration certificates.
Every panel ships with:
| Sterling Made | Industry Average | |
|---|---|---|
| Quote turnaround | 24 hours | 5–10 business days |
| Build time | 3 weeks from drawing approval | 8–12 weeks |
| QC inspection | 48-point documented checklist | Varies; often undocumented |
| Documentation | Full package standard on every panel | Often incomplete |
| Service model | Founders build your panel | Assigned to available crew |
| Design capability | Design-build, design-assist, and build-to-print | Usually build-to-print only |
| Communication | Milestone updates at 5 stages | Varies |
| SCCR calculation | Calculated per Supplement SB on every panel | Often only when requested |
| Calibration | NIST-traceable, documented schedule | Varies |
Both founders hold active Manufacturing Technical Representative (MTR) certifications under UL 508A. The MTR is the person designated by UL as responsible for ensuring that products bearing the UL Mark are manufactured in compliance with UL requirements.
Sterling Made is pursuing UL 508A listing with a target completion of June 2026. Our quality manual is complete, our SOPs are documented, and our facility and equipment are being prepared for the UL audit. Once listed, Sterling Made will be subject to quarterly unannounced UL audits.
Our quality manual includes 10+ controlled standard operating procedures covering receiving inspection, document control, panel build process, wiring and assembly, testing and verification, final QC inspection, labeling and marking, calibration management, and packaging and shipping.
Sterling Made is headquartered in Greater Boston, Massachusetts. Our location puts us within a 2–3 hour drive of most customer facilities in New England — from southern Maine and New Hampshire through Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Hand-delivery is available for customers within a 150-mile radius. We build and ship panels for customers across the United States.