News Release

Thomson Research Associates celebrates 50 years in business

In 2005 Thomson Research Associates is celebrating 50 years as a company developing and marketing antimicrobial treatments for industry.

When TRA was started in Toronto, Canada in 1955 by Andy Thomson, it was part of the Harvey Woods knitwear group. Our products were used almost entirely on the well-known Harvey Woods brand of underwear and socks.

In 1990 Thomson became a separate company specializing in antimicrobials for the textile and polymer industries.

This small company has grown exponentially in both personnel and sales. The product line is now much broader, with treatments for an ever widening variety of applications.

The geographical reach has also grown. From a company whose sales were almost all in North America, TRA now sells in over forty countries. We have a worldwide network of distributors with significant business in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, China, India, Pakistan, Brazil and Mexico.

The Ultra-Fresh brand has grown to the point that its promise of performance and durability is recognized around the world.

The next 50 years will see the introduction of new generations of antimicrobials based on new chemistries with even higher performance. As manufacturing industries move away from Europe and North America, we expect to be selling more and more of our products in other markets, although the final consumer will often still be in the west.

In order to develop this business we will form strong working partnerships with manufacturers, importers, designers and retailers in our quest to offer a full solution to the need for antimicrobial protection.

Please join us for the next 50 years of Thomson Research Associates.

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