£1m vision of the future

Kestra Ltd was originally set-up and financed in 1995 by Manchester Technology Development Ltd to develop the commercial application of novel image processing and analysis software developed by the Wolfson Image Analysis Unit in the University of Manchester.

The firm has developed a new product which will be aimed at customers in the printed circuit board assembly industry, where quality control through visual inspection methods is becoming increasingly widespread.

The Kestra team will be led by entrepreneur Mike Bowes, who joins the company as managing director.

He will be joined by Technology Director Brook Jackson and Sale Director John Tinning.

Mr Jackson, who lives in Bromley Cross, Bolton, has been a key figure in the successful development of the project to date.

Professor Chris Taylor, Head of the Wolfson Image Analysis Unit and a leading expert in vision systems, will be supporting the team on a consultancy basis.

Mr Gordon Brown, Chairman of Manchester Technology Developments, will join the board as a non-executive director.

Mr Bowes said: "3i's investment in Kestra comes at an important stage of our development and will enable us to establish ourselves firmly in a rapidly-growing market.

"Pcb manufacturers are increasingly relying on visual inspection systems and our new product will provide an innovative and cost-effective solution to their needs."

He said they would be marketing their products at home and abroad, especially in the USA.

Catherine Knape of 3i's Manchester office added: "Kestra is an exciting venture which continues Man- chester's tradition of technological inno- vation.

"Through our MBI initiative we have introduced an experienced entrepreneur to work with a group of first class academics from Manchester University to create a dynamic business team."

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