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Arnold "Stu" Stewart, who started STB, worked for Western
Electro Mechanical Company in Oakland. For 23 years he was
their instrument technician who made and repaired their products,
such as phasing voltmeters, voltage detectors, ground faults,
clamp-ons, and phase sequence indicators. Arnold was well
known for making customized changes to products that the
customer specifically needed. Around 1976, the owners of
WEMCO made the decision to stop customizing and/or doing
any specialty items for their customers. As a result, Arnold,
still trying to please his customers, was doing the special
work at home, and eventually, in a small shop he rented.
He expanded into making custom split core current transformers,
because there was a great demand for them. He designed his
own split core (the ST Model), which he eventually patented
in March 1981. By the end of 1978, he decided that he was
working more hours than he had available.
Arnold A. Stewart, Russell L. Tavare, and Kenneth Belfer
incorporated STB Transformer Company, Inc., in 1979. For
the first two years, about 90% of the manufacturing business
consisted of making split core current transformers. Arnold
was the technical genius of the operation and designed many
of the products. In 1981, Ken Belfer was bought out and in
1989, Russell Tavare was bought out.
In mid-1988 when Russell decided to no longer work at the
company, Patricia A. Tavare, Arnold Stewart's daughter, took
over his place and began learning the inner workings of the
company - both the office and the manufacturing.
When Arnold passed away in August. 1990, Patricia decided
to continue to run STB. In 1996 Jeff "Stu" Stewart actively
joined his sister, Pat, as Vice President of Sales for STB.
Together they continue to be known in the industry for having
a top-of-the-line product, personalized service, and a flawless
safety record. They are working very hard to grow STB, not
only locally and nationwide, but internationally.
Any time you are in Auburn, CA stop by and see STB Electrical
Test Equipment's manufacturing and testing facilities.
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