Clients:
Humboldt Mfg. Co., Norridge, IL
BBN Technologies, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Since 1909, Humboldt Mfg. Co. has been a leading manufacturer and supplier of materials testing equipment for asphalt, concrete and soil applications.

For over 50 years, BBN has been a pioneer technological innovation. BBN has been responsible for a number of technological firsts including performing the acoustic-ballistic analysis of the Kennedy assassination and the implementation of the ARPANET, the forerunner of today's Internet. Today BBN is a leading technology developer for the US military and the communications industry.

Task:
Commercialize BBN’s non-metallic mine detection technology in the construction industry for the evaluation of material quality.
Commercialization took the form of the Humboldt GeoGauge, a 22 lb. instrument capable of simple, rapid and non-invasive in-situ measurements of layer stiffness and Young’s modulus in most construction materials. The GeoGauge has emerged from this effort as the only practical instrument that can enable the current trend towards design/performance based construction QC/QA. The GeoGauge is currently in use in more than 25 U.S. states and numerous foreign countries. Click here for more information on the GeoGauge.

The Role of Main Associates:
Define the business plan, execute the marketing and technically support the product
Main Associates surveyed the construction industry for BBN and formed a strategic alliance between Humboldt and BBN for the commercialization. Main Associates performed market research and developed the business plan for Humboldt that defined the market, customers, product description & performance, marketing and revenue projection. We continue to execute this plan for Humboldt and provide technical support to GeoGauge prospects and customers. The services provided continue to include:
• Formally educating the industry as to the value & benefits of stiffness based QC/QA,
• On-site training courses, development of sales, marketing and technical literature,
• Development & execution of presentations for sales, trade shows & conferences and
• Development and assistance in the execution of test and implementation plans for state departments of transportation, the Federal Highway Administration and other domestic and foreign customers,