Enfield, CT, September 28, 2004 -- Specialized Technology Resources, Inc. (STR) of Enfield, Connecticut, the largest full service, privately-owned consumer product quality assurance testing and compliance monitoring company in the world, has announced the formation of a U.S. partnership with CTC, a globally recognized leather, footwear, and leather goods expert based in Lyon, France. The U.S. partnership is an extension of a long-standing relationship between STR and CTC to provide quality assurance services and U.S. and international standards testing of footwear, gloves, luggage, and leather goods around the globe. The new venture, CTC USA, will be based out of STR's Enfield, CT headquarters, and will enable STR and CTC to better serve clients in the U.S.

In 1996, STR formed a partnership with CTC in Hong Kong. That company, CTC Asia, operates out of STR's 70,000 s/f, full-service laboratory in Hong Kong and offers a wide range of quality assurance and testing services to North American and European clients utilizing production facilities in China and the region. In 2001, STR and CTC established STR France, which is based at CTC's Lyon, France headquarters, to provide a broad spectrum of research and development services to retailers and manufacturers of shoes and leather goods. STR and CTC's expansive network of laboratories and inspection centers allow clients' to test and inspect the quality of their product at the point of manufacture worldwide.

Together, STR and CTC provide retailers, manufacturers, and importers of footwear and leather goods with a full scope of quality assurance and testing services including:

• Testing to all U.S. and International Standards – These include the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), the American National Standard Institute (ANSI), the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the European Standard (CEN), the French National Standard (NF), and the German National Standard (DIN).
• Extensive Testing Services – Physical testing to evaluate performance, comfort, safety, and quality features; chemical testing to ensure the safety of materials when in contact with human body; biomechanical testing to define the interactions between the user and the final product; and field trials to ensure good fit and feel in real performance situations.
• Auditing/Inspection Services – Inspections to check the conformity of footwear and leather products at each manufacturing stage including pre-production and raw material, in-line, final, and shipping inspection; and helping secure purchases and provide evaluations of suppliers in terms of logistics management, quality systems, production processes and tools, product safety, and compliance policy.

Founded in 1944, Specialized Technology Resources, Inc. has grown into the largest full service, privately-owned consumer product quality assurance testing and compliance monitoring company in the world with fully accredited laboratories and inspection offices in 30 countries over five continents. STR offers a wide range of quality assurance, compliance consulting, and ISO registration services to retailers, manufacturers, and suppliers of consumer hard, soft, and consumable goods. STR also provides materials development services, industrial products services, and manufacturing services to its diverse client base. STR is the first consumer products testing company in the U.S. to earn the ISO-9002 accreditation. This year, STR celebrates 60 years of quality service.

Headquartered in Lyon, France, CTC is the worldwide footwear and leather goods leader with over 100 years of experience. CTC's facilities are located in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the U.S. in order to assist companies who want to increase the quality and to improve the monitoring of their fabrication and supply chain processes. CTC expertise is continually updated with its economic intelligence system and it annual research and development program (twenty full-time researchers). CTC has a network of 150 specialists in a wide range of fields including consulting, training, R&D;, technicians, and inspectors. Through this organization, CTC has become the world's premier expert in footwear and leather goods.