National Technical Systems' Boxborough Facility Approved by Verizon to Perform Lead-Free Testing of Electronic, Electric Components

CALABASAS, Calif. and BOXBOROUGH, Mass., Nov. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- National Technical Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTSC) (NTS), a leading provider of testing and engineering services, announced today that its Boxborough, MA facility had been approved by Verizon to perform lead (or Pb)-free testing of electronic and electric components. The lead-free testing is an addition to the Telcordia GR-63-CORE and GR-1089-CORE testing that NTS Boxborough performs for Verizon as an approved Verizon Independent Test Laboratory (ITL).

Lead-free equipment is required by RoHS (Restriction of Use of Hazardous Substances) regulations adopted by the European Union to restrict the import of substances considered toxic to the environment.

William C. McGinnis, President and CEO of NTS, said the lead-free testing service will be an important business driver for the Boxborough facility in the near term as telecommunications equipment manufacturers comply with the RoHS regulations.  McGinnis added that NTS is the largest member of the Verizon ITL program with seven approved laboratories and the only ITL with an international location.

"This lead-free certification is yet another demonstration of the breadth of our testing services and our ability to adapt to the requirements of a changing, dynamic marketplace," said McGinnis. "We have a relationship with Verizon in terms of testing services and lead-free testing that will increase the value of this business partnership."

As a member of the Verizon ITL program, NTS' Boxborough facility works closely with telecommunications equipment suppliers that must have their products tested to ensure compliance with the NEBS (Network Equipment Building System) specifications. These specifications are designed to ensure that telecom equipment has a high degree of reliability and will work under extreme environments while maintaining service. Other NTS facilities that are Verizon ITL laboratories are located in Tinton Falls, NJ; Plano, TX; Fullerton, CA; Sunnyvale, CA; Fremont, CA and Munich, Germany.

Technically, under the new approval, NTS performs lead-free testing of components to VZ.TPR.9307 "Verizon NEBS™ Compliance: Qualification Requirements for Printed Board Assemblies Manufacturered with Lead-Free Solder for use in Telecommunications Equipment." With the move to lead-free PBA (printed board assemblies), Verizon implemented VZ-TPR.9307 to ensure the continued reliability of its telecommunications network.

About NTS Boxborough

The NTS Boxborough, MA location is a full service engineering and testing facility, capable of managing complex aerospace, defense, telecommunications or commercial programs. Extensive climatic and environmental test capabilities are available, as well as custom test set ups for hydraulic testing and FAA fire testing. Environmental testing disciplines include: independent and combined thermal, humidity and altitude, salt fog, wind driven rain, fire, Icing, thermal Vacuum and explosive atmosphere. The large scale dynamics laboratory includes seven electro-dynamic shaker systems, shock towers and seismic systems including independent triax, acceleration, shock, static and dynamic loading capabilities are also available. EMI/EMC testing capabilities include radiated susceptibility, radiated emissions, magnetic emissions, conducted immunity, harmonics analysis, electrical power characteristics, airborne and structure borne noise, ESD, AC power cross and power fault, and lightning simulation indirect effects, and ESD up to 25kV. Military and aerospace capabilities include Immunity testing up to 200v/m from 10kHz to 40GHz, as well as Electrical Power Characteristics testing for ground, aircraft, shipboard, and submarine applications.

About National Technical Systems

National Technical Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of testing and engineering services to the aerospace, defense, telecommunications, automotive and high technology markets. Through a world-wide network of resources, NTS provides full product life-cycle support, offering world class design engineering, compliance, testing, certification, quality registration and program management. For additional information about NTS, visit the Company's website at www.nts.com or call 800-270-2516.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with uncertainties pertaining to customer orders, demand for services and products, development of markets for the companies' services and products and other risks identified in the companies' SEC filings. Actual results, events and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding National Technical Systems' business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year.

SOURCE National Technical Systems, Inc.