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Stest Ltd, which is located in Cambridge, was formed
in July 2001 to take on the manufacture and marketing of technologies developed
by Mecon Ltd, which is also in Cambridge. Mecon Ltd was founded in 1991
to produce numerical modelling software based on the object-oriented approach.
After successfully producing a fast boundary-element modelling package,
Mecon extended its activities to include contract research and development.
Mecon has increased its "reach" by co-operating closely with other small
hi-tech companies and with University departments in Cambridge and elsewhere. It develops
technologies for customers such as Advantica, the UK water companies, and
the energy sector, which are mostly in the area of Non Destructive Testing, structural
monitoring, vibration and acoustics including active control. Much of its business is in the development of NDT techniques for pipelines and structures.
A spin-off from this has been a technology for detecting
leaks in buried pipes, using a plastic carpet containing embedded sensors
that is laid on the ground. It is known as the Magic Carpet. Its primary use is intended to be on water mains. A worldwide patent has been obtained and the Magic Carpet is the first product to be developed for production by stest Ltd.
Currently the company strategy has been to develop a user-friendly
version of the Magic Carpet and then test the UK market for potential sales. Ultimately it is intended to market worldwide.
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