May 15, 2007 - New York, New York / Montreal Québec - Recognizing the recent, dramatic increase in demand for High Security Barrier seals in North America, spurred by such programs as the U.S. Customs Trade Partnership against Terrorism (C-TPAT), Stoffel Seals and Universeal have teamed up to provide a more secure, more complete and more competitive offering to the North American transportation industry. In this new partnership, Stoffel Seals will be the exclusive representative and distributor of Universeal products throughout North America.

As programs such as C-TPAT and FAST take even greater hold with the stakeholders of the programs (participants, ranging from manufacturers to retail outlets to large Freight and logistics companies) and in the market in general, shippers find they need a more comprehensive range of security seals and locking devices to maintain the integrity of their shipments. In addition, International Standards, such as ISO 17712, dictate that security seals manufacturers and suppliers advance their efforts to secure their own supply chains, distribution chains and recording keeping.

Universeal’s broad line of Security and High-Security bolt and cable seals provide barrier level protection and tamper-evidence; a key requirement when hauling shipments over long distances, crossing borders and carrying hazardous, expensive or important goods. As required by ISO/PAS 17712 (International Standard for Mechanical Freight Seals), Universeal’s bolt and cable seals have been tested by properly accredited ISO/17025 laboratories and all of the seals meet or exceed the requirements of C-TPAT and FAST seal programs.

As a leader in the indicative plastic and metal seal market, Stoffel Seals Corporation produces a comprehensive range of light-duty tamper-evident seals that enable shippers and suppliers secure shipments down to case, box and even, item level. Stoffel’s leading range of indicative seals is ideal for securing domestic shipments and shipments between closed-loop distribution points.

Changes in regulations have forced C-TPAT and FAST participants to retain documentation of their seal supplier’s compliance with international standards such as ISO 17712. As leaders in the industry and through this new partnership, Stoffel and Universeal are launching the most complete, fully-certified line of ISO compliant line of High Security Seals, certified by third party testing, as is now required for C-TPAT and FAST participants. Each shipment for ISO compliant will be delivered with certified tests results from an ISO 17025 testing lab and joint certification of compliance from Stoffel Seals and Universeal.

The partnership between Stoffel Seals and Universeal is one that will deliver significant value and security to the market. As the need and the value of barrier seals grows, various segments of the market continue to migrate from indicative seals to barrier seals. This migration increases the cost of security, but it greatly enhances the security of the supply chain and efficacy of any supply-chain security program. The cooperation between Stoffel and Universeal will enable those segments to make that transition seamlessly and with confidence they are delivering the security that is now essential to commerce.

Stoffel Seals Corporation is a leading manufacturer and supplier of tamper-evident security seals and other devices based in Nyack, NY. Stoffel Seals serves major clients in the transportation, retail, commercial airline, banking and government sectors. Stoffel Seals Corporation is a privately held corporation, with manufacturing sites throughout North America. Stoffel Seals was acquired by The Riverside Company in 2004.

Universeal is a world leading manufacturer of Security and High Security barrier seals and mechanical locking devices, based in Montreal, Canada. Universeal serves major container and shipping lines on all seven continents with a comprehensive range of security devices covering all required levels of security. Universeal is a privately held company, founded by its current CEO and President Claude Wallet.

Media contact:
Ralph Mallozzi – Marketing Director – Stoffel Seals
(845) 348 – 7123
ralphm@stoffel.com