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News Release

TRA marketing team in Shanghai

August 29, 2011, Toronto, Ontario -- Determined to bring east and west together to their mutual advantage, newly appointed President of Thomson Research Associates (TRA) Glenn Runciman, recently took his global marketing team to Shanghai to investigate the market and consult with customers for Ultra-Fresh and Silpure antimicrobial treatments. TRA is a successful Canadian company with more than half a century of experience in developing antimicrobial treatments for a wide range of products, and marketing them in over 50 countries.

"The rate of change in international manufacturing, especially in the textile sector, is simply astonishing," says Runciman. "In my years with TRA I have learned that the only way to stay ahead of the curve is to show your face in important markets and be prepared to deliver the performance that manufacturers need. Our week of meetings in the Shanghai area helped establish alliances that will work well for both parties."

The team consisted of 8 key people from North America, Asia and Europe who are responsible for global marketing, sales and technical support. Core issues discussed at team workshops included market dynamics, especially as they were demonstrated by the ongoing shift in manufacture from west to east; TRA's key role in linking the needs of western markets with the skills of manufacturers in the east and the development of new communications initiatives to shorten the distance between TRA and their customers around the globe.

"The most important part of our Shanghai experience was a series of visits to manufacturers who use our products," says Barrie Clemo, Vice-President Sales. "We gained insights into both export and domestic markets in today's China that will guide us in future product development, as well as in our marketing plans."

TRA's Ultra-Fresh has over 50 years of successful application in textile markets, as well as in a wide range of polymer-based products. Silpure, a more recent introduction, uses the natural antimicrobial effect of silver to add value to garments and home textiles as well as in a wide variety of plastics and polymers.

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News Release

Thomson Research Associates puts on the marketing pressure at Techtextil 2011

May 23, 2011, Toronto, Ontario -- Introduced in 2005, Silpure combines the natural ability of silver ions to inhibit the growth of bacteria, with next-generation application technology. Thomson Research Associates (TRA) has specialized in antibacterial treatments for textiles for over 50 years, and their in-depth understanding of the priorities of textile manufacturers and marketers is driving the worldwide success of this, their newest brand.

At Techtextil in Frankfurt, May 24-26, 2011, the TRA booth in Hall 3.1 H67 is the place to learn more about the Silpure promise of freshness. Silpure captures the imagination of consumers, combining the purity of a precious metal with the appeal of on-going personal freshness in sportswear, workwear, intimate apparel and household textiles.

TRA's Ultra-Fresh antibacterial treatment, used worldwide in a wide range of applications for over 50 years, will also be featured at the TRA booth.

New Silpure website reaches out to manufacturers and consumers
"The world is TRA's marketplace," says Barrie Clemo, Vice-President, Sales at TRA. "What better way to tell the Silpure story, at all levels, than with an informative and interactive website?"

After several months of development a newly-designed website dedicated to Silpure will be launched during Techtextil 2011. The look is modern and clearly readable. Navigation is straightforward, and content is rich and rewarding in both manufacturer and consumer channels.

How Silpure Works
A special feature on the site is an animated video that demonstrates how Silpure inhibits the growth of bacteria, and an up-to-date listing of Silpure-treated products.

The manufacturers' section now provides an overview of test procedures available from the TRA laboratories; an ever-growing archive of packaging and advertising material produced by TRA and users of Silpure; advice on maximizing the value of the Silpure brand in marketing communications; and interactive access to specialists within the TRA organization.

After May 23, 2011 the new website will be available at www.silpure.com.

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News Release

Thomson Research Associates announces change of President

December 1, 2010, Toronto, Ontario -- Paul Damp, Chairman of Thomson Research Associates (TRA) has announced the retirement on February 2, 2011 of Laval Yau, a 32-year employee and currently President of the company.

"Laval is leaving us in order to devote himself to a charitable enterprise that has been close to his heart for many years," says Damp. "We thank him for his contribution to the growth of the company, and wish him well in his new endeavour. He will be a tremendous asset to his new organization."

Mr. Damp is pleased to announce that in early 2011, Glenn Runciman, currently Global Sales Director, will assume the position of President. Glenn himself has a 30-year association with the company.

"During my time at TRA I have seen the growth of Ultra-Fresh, an antimicrobial treatment with over a 50-year history of global use," says Yau. "I have also seen the launch of today's most advanced silver-based antimicrobial treatment, Silpure. As I leave TRA, I know I will always look back on these years as a happy and successful period in my life."

However, Dr. Yau will not sever his connection entirely with TRA: he will work as a consultant with Glenn Runciman to strengthen the company's presence in India.

Following his graduation from the University of London, UK (B.Sc. in Biochemistry and Ph.D. in Chemistry) Laval joined TRA in Toronto on May 14th, 1979. In addition to his expanding role within the company he made his mark in the industry as a Chair of Research Committees of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, taking the lead in the development of test methods for the evaluation of antimicrobial treatments.

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