stu

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.