Manufacturing AUTOMATION’s future leaders: Meet Ryan Terpstra

The future of the manufacturing and automation technology sector looks bright.

Armed with a strong work ethic, initiative, curiosity and a commitment to innovation, the winners of our inaugural Top 10 Under 40 program are setting the bar for young professionals across the industry. 

Whether they work in leadership, operations, maintenance, sales, support or research, these industry professionals are highly regarded by their colleagues, clients and peers.

To highlight the achievements of each individual selected for the Top 10 Under 40 list, Manufacturing AUTOMATION will feature one of 2022’s winners every week for the next 10 weeks. Nominations for the 2023 contest open at the end of the year.

This week, we introduce Ryan Terpstra, intermediate controls integrator Systematix Inc. in Waterloo, Ont.

Ryan Terpstra graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Applied Science – Honours in Mechatronics Engineering. He joined his current company Systematix in 2017 after graduating and spending some time co-running a start-up. 

Ryan began as a junior controls integrator and immersed himself in learning from Systematix’s experienced controls team. He is now an intermediate controls integrator, providing the same guidance to new graduates and junior controls integrators that join the team. 

Ryan enjoys being involved in the building of a machine from start to finish. He primarily programs PLCs and robots but is very interested in complex data tracking and sequencing. 

His great attitude makes it easy for build team members and customers to work with him. His ability to solve problems and to come up with innovative solutions make him a key member of the controls team at Systematix, according to his colleagues Octavio Gonzalez and Erin Montag.

Ryan says, “I enjoy working on the floor where the action is, and seeing it all come together is exciting. Watching my offline logic come to life and developing unique solutions to unexpected issues is something I can immerse myself in and before I know it the day is gone.” 

He adds, “In the future, I would like to be in a position where I can make decisions that have a broader and more significant impact, perhaps outside of the scope of controls. New technology allows for innovative new solutions to existing problems and therefore can help the industry expand into markets it previously could not.”