Groundbreaking Malvern company signs major deal to make Scotland safer

Technology born in the heart of Worcestershire is promising to make Britain’s streets safer after a major new contract with the Scottish Government was announced.

Metrasens, which spun out from world leading defence technology specialist QinetiQ six years ago, has just sealed a deal to supply seventeen of its FG1 Portable Security poles for use at train stations, nightclubs and even at sporting venues.

Backed by the Manufacturing Advisory Service –West Midlands, the company’s metal detection system uses passive sensing technology to provide full body scanning that picks up hidden knives and firearms.

Unlike conventional metal detectors, FG1 has been designed so there are no health issues, can be used covertly as it can work through walls and its lightweight pole structure means it can be deployed and set-up within 60 seconds.

“We already have some FG1s successfully operating with Merseyside Police and Thames Valley Police, but this latest contract marks the first major order and comes after a series of successful trials through the Safer Scotland programme,” explained Simon Goodyear, who set up the business with fellow Director Matthew Wooliscroft.

“Our technology is making a major impression in both detecting dangerous metal devices and also in acting as a deterrent to people thinking of carrying knives and guns. All in all, it should mean safer streets and public spaces for people in Scotland.”

He continued: “Working with the police forces is one area, but the FG1s are flexible in their application and are already being used in detention centres and prisons around the UK – the latter helping to identify mobile phones being concealed by prisoners.

“The five year plan is to create an innovative business with turnover in excess of £20m, selling our security technology all over the world and this will undoubtedly mean more new jobs locally.”

Metrasens, which currently employs ten people at its base at Malvern Hills Science Park and its strategic office in Chicago, was one of the first companies to take part in the MAS-WM funded Product Innovation Consortium (now known as New Product Development Gateway) and received significant assistance towards developing the FG1s from product concept into a fully finished and commercially viable product.

Working with Specialist Product Innovation Adviser Roy Pulley, the management team were able to develop the existing technology used in its MRI scanning poles by adapting a structured ‘stage-gate’ new product development methodology and in bringing in Smallfry Design from Coventry, who were instrumental in improving aesthetic quality and in reducing manufacturing costs.

“Our involvement with MAS has been a great help and gave us access to manufacturing expertise that we would never have known about on our own,” continued Matthew.

“It also provided us with due diligence at every stage of development and ensured that once finished the product was compliant with CE Marking and EMC testing. Our decision to assemble the product in-house was also made after lengthy discussions with our dedicated adviser and this has been vital in ensuring the best product quality of the finished FG1.”

MAS-WM’s Roy Pulley picked up the story: “In today’s marketplace, we need to do everything we can to encourage our companies to be more innovative and to look at bringing new technology to the marketplace.

“PIC, or NPD Gateway as it is now known, is an excellent way for innovative manufacturers like Metrasens to access support for the development and commercialisation of new products, which once launched, create real impact on the local economy and society.”

Over 30 West Midlands’ manufacturers are currently benefiting from this structured support with their new product developments enabling them to create compelling product propositions that customers will buy. Two companies have successfully launched their new products, with many more progressing through the ‘stage-gate’ process.