Winner! "The Principal 10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security".

Huntsville, Alabama, August 23, 2008: By providing financial security in what some are calling a recession, Torch Technologies, based in Huntsville, has earned national acclaim for standing by its employees.

An independent judging panel of employee benefits experts named Torch Technologies as one of the 2008 winners of The Principall 10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security; for its generous retirement and profit-sharing plans.

"At a time when many employers are challenged to maintain strong benefits, Torch Technologies is demonstrating a rock solid commitment to give its employees an edge on their financial futures," said Renee Schaaf, vice president at the Principal Financial Group. "Torch Technologies understands that benefits are more than a cost, they are an investment in any organization's greatest asset: its employees. We are proud to showcase Torch Technologies as an exceptional role model."

The Principal Financial Group sponsors the national program, which is now in its seventh year. It honors growing companies for their commitment to their employees' financial security.

"The judges were really impressed with how much Torch Technologies puts into its retirement plans; especially the very high benefits offered through their Employee Stock Ownership Plan," said Corey Rosen, executive director and founder, National Center for Employee Ownership, and judge of The Principal 10 Best Companies. "We were also, of course, impressed with their very comprehensive health care plan. It's not surprising that the turnover rate in this company is almost nonexistent."

Torch Technologies has 156 employees and provides scientific and engineering services to the Department of Defense.

"We're very honored to be named one of The Principal 10 Best Companies," said Scott Parker, chief administrative officer at Torch Technologies. "We feel that hiring, retention, productivity and customer satisfaction are all linked together. If our customers are satisfied, it allows us to keep growing, and we can keep providing those benefits for our employees. It comes full circle."

A summary of best practices gleaned from Torch Technologies and other winners will be published and available in January 2009 at www.principal.com.

The Principal 10 Best Companies 2008 are:

• 1st United Services Credit Union, Pleasanton, Calif
• A.Y. McDonald Manufacturing Company, Dubuque, Iowa
• CENTRIA, Moon Township, Pa
• Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, Neenah, Wis
• NJ Sullivan Company, Inc., Dulles, Va
• NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company, San Francisco, Calif
• North Island Credit Union, San Diego, Calif
• SAE International, Warrendale, Pa
• The Spiratex Company, Romulus, Mich
• Torch Technologies, Inc., Huntsville, Ala

To learn more about the winners and the judging process visit www.principal.com/10best

Winner! Inc5000 #1703 of 5000, #74 of Top 100 Government Contractors

Winner! Best Place to Work in Huntsville / Madison County.

Huntsville, Alabama, April 22, 2008: Torch Technologies was named at an award luncheon today as one of the Best Places to Work in Huntsville / Madison County. This recognition was based on independent, anonymous employee surveys completed earlier this year, and places Torch Technologies as one of the 5 best medium sized companies in our area, and one of the 15 best places to work overall in Huntsville / Madison County. The award process was co-sponsored by the Huntsville / Madison County Chamber of Commerce, The National Children's Advocacy Center, and the North Alabama Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management.

Over 70 companies were nominated, and 5 winners jwere selected in each of the 3 size categories, small (<75 employees), medium (75 - 249 employees) and large (250+ employees).

Winner! Inc5000 Fastest Growing Defense Contractor in Southeast, #8