News Items - July 2004

Smith & Warren Announces Breakthrough in Badge Identification Security with DataDot Technology

WHITE PLAINS, NY, June 2004 - Smith & Warren announced a partnership with DataDot USA to offer a high tech beadge security and identification system. Smith & Warren will make the Micro DataDot Security Identification System available for all of their badges.

DataDot Technology is widely used in the automotive industry to provide permanent identification to vehicles to prevent theft and aid in recovery. DataDot also supplies a security identification product currently used by the military for marking assets.

Smith & Warren was worked with DataDot USA to adapt the Micro DataDot technology as a permanent identification system for their badges. The micro dot marking system will provide positive visual proof of authenticity of the badge maker and certification of Smith & warren's exclusive Lifetime Guarantee that is given to every badge they manufacture. Individual public safety departments will eb able to uniquely mark their badges as well.

Smith & Warren has been serving the public safety market since 1925. For more information call 800-532-2343 or email sales@smithwarrencom

City of Phoenix Chooses Turtleskin Duty Gloves to Protect Police Officers from Needlesticks

New Ipswich, NH - June 24, 2004. TurtleSkin Gloves announced today that the City of Phoenix, AZ has issued a model/brand specific contract for TurtleSkin Duty Gloves. The gloves will be issued to all Phoenix Police Officers. To base their decision, Phoenix officials reviewed test data and conducted a field trial that compared several brands of gloves. They concluded that TurtleSkin Duty Gloves provide the best protection, dexterity and overall value for their police force. The TurtleSkin Duty Gloves offer high levels of dexterity and tactile sensation, in addition to hypodermic needle and cut resistance in the palm and fingertips. The first delivery of 3,000 pairs of these gloves under the three-year contract has been completed and is being serviced by a local TurtleSkin distributor.

In their solicitation, the City made the following statement: "The Police Department has tested similar products and has established the specified product as the only product acceptable for their purpose at this time and alternatives will not be accepted." John Cronin, who worked on the project for TurtleSkin Gloves, remarked, "In supplying these hypodermic needle-resistant gloves to their officers, Phoenix has demonstrated a clear commitment to addressing officer life-safety. As HIV and Hepatitis C are on the rise, many agencies are taking a closer look at needle resistant gloves to round out their life-safety equipment issuing programs."

TurtleSkin materials are known for their puncture-resistance and flexibility, and were chosen by NASA for the inflatable crash bags used to land on Mars. TurtleSkin Protective Materials are also used in chaps, gaiters and pants to stop snakebites, in stab-resistant body armor, as well as anti-flat bicycle tires.

For more information visit www.turtleskin.com or call 1-888-477-4675.

5.11 Tactical Unveils Uniform Polo Shirts

MODESTO, CA - May 10, 2004. 5.11 Tactical has provided tactical apparel for federal, state and local law enforcement agencies for more than 15 years. The new 5.11 Tactical uniform polo shirts are available for on and off duty officers.

The 5.11 Tactical Performance Polo, made of 100 percent cotton with Dri-X-treme for moisture management, features double pen slots on the left arm and microphone pockets on both shoulders. Other features include: a 180-degree full running gusset allowing an officer a full range of motion and no restriction when applying handcuffs or pursuing a suspect; double reinforced collar for durability; and melamine buttons. The Performance Polo comes in white, navy and black.

"Our patrol officers are wearing the 5.11 Tactical Performance Polo and they've given it great reviews," said officer Mitch Shore of the Riverwoods, IL Police Department. "It helps them stay dry, even after a foot chase, and it looks great."

The 5.11 Tactical Uniform Professional Polo features 5.11 Tactical's exclusive no fade, no wrinkle, no shrink 100% cotton fabric, providing officers with the performance they need and ensuring a professional appearance both on and off duty. Tested against a generic polo, after 20 washes, the Uniform Professional Polo maintained its color, size, and smooth, clean look. The Professional Polo features double pen slots on the left arm and is available in white, black, navy, silver tan, range red, academy blue and dark navy.

"5.11 Tactical is raising industry standards for comfort and quality of product," said Matt Sinclair, 5.11 Tactical vice president of sales and marketing. "Law enforcement professionals want uniforms that let them perform at maximum effectiveness and they want to look professional. These two new polos deliver on both counts."

For more information about 5.11 Tactical, visit www.511tactical.com.

UniFirst Corporation Announces the Addition of Lawrence R. Pugh to its Board of Directors

WILMINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 3, 2004--UniFirst Corporation (NYSE: UNF) Ronald D. Croatti, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors announced today that Lawrence R. Pugh the former Chairman of V.F. Corporation has joined UniFirst's Board of Directors.

Mr. Pugh became President of V.F. Corporation in 1980 and Chairman and CEO in 1982. After nearly two decades of leadership, he retired in 1998. Larry was the visionary force behind many of VF's most important initiatives. During his tenure as the leader of V. F. Corporation, sales grew ten-fold from $544 million to $5.5 billion.

Since his retirement in 1998, he has remained active as a current Trustee and past Chairman of the Colby College Board of Trustees. He is currently Co-Chairman of UNUM Provident, the Chairman of the Portland, Maine Museum of Art, a Trustee of Maine Medical Center and a Director of the Maine Winter Sports Center.

"We are pleased and proud to have Larry Pugh join our team," said Mr. Croatti. "Larry has a tremendous record of public service and his vast store of professional knowledge and experience will allow Larry to make a significant contribution to our future growth and success."

UniFirst Corporation is one of the largest providers of workplace uniforms and protective clothing in North America. The Company employs over 9,000 team partners who serve more than 175,000 customer locations in 46 states, Canada and Europe from 170 manufacturing, distribution and customer service facilities.

White Knight Engineered Products, Inc. To Purchase Apparel and Fabrics Divisions of Intex Corporation

CHARLOTTE, NC, JUNE 12 - White Knight Engineered Products, Inc., a leading manufacturer of specialty textiles, today signed a letter of intent to purchase the apparel and fabrics divisions of Intex Corporation of Greensboro, NC. Intex is a leader in innovative fabric technology and has been supplying the textile industry with knit shirts and fabrics for more than 20 years. Terms of the agreement are being finalized and have not been disclosed.

The agreement includes the sale of the NtXport(r) Moisture Transport performance fabrics, the Xport(tm) line of polo shirts and t-shirts, as well as other associated brands. NtXport(r) products are ideal for educational institutions, hospitality, transportation and security industries, or anywhere a professional, comfortable, consistent appearance is required. They are available through uniform resale, rental laundries and promotional product distributors.

"The addition of the NtXport(r) brand to our company will further diversify our product offering with the potential to grow relationships we have already established in the controlled environments business," explained Scott Banks, President at White Knight. "Our goal will be to provide an uninterrupted flow of products and services to current customers while looking for opportunities to expand the business," he continued. Customers are being notified individually and are asked to continue placing orders and seek support through the usual contacts.

White Knight Engineered Products creates innovative solutions for niche markets in the textile industry. Although it is primarily known for its high quality woven protective apparel for controlled environments, White Knight also manufactures passenger comfort products for the transportation industry and allergy bedding encasements.

For more information visit www.wkep.com