Sports Nutrition Companies Basic Research and Total Nutritional Technologies Merge to Increase Sales and Expand Line Of Sports Nutrition Products PR Newswire -- June 5, 2002 PROVO, Utah, June 5/PRNewswire/ -- Weight-loss and sports nutrition industry leader Basic Research announced today its merger with Total Nutritional Technologies (TNT), a fast-growing newcomer in the sports nutrition industry. As part of the merger, New Jersey-based TNT will manage the sales and marketing of Basic Research's three lines of sports nutrition products (NutraSport, Klein-Becker Sports, Urban Biologics). In addition, six of TNT's body enhancing products will be folded into the Basic Research family of sports nutrition products. The final result of the merger will be the creation of a new entity, Basic Research Sports -- incorporating products from both companies -- and whose sales department will be run by the founding partners of TNT. "This is an exciting venture for both our companies," said Dennis Gay, president of Basic Research, based in Provo, Utah. "TNT has grown quickly not only because of its aggressive sales force but also because of the personal relationships they develop with athletes. They know what products are popular in gyms and fitness centers across the country, and they know their clients very well." TNT President Robert Dente said his company's "personal" touch and Basic Research's emphasis on research, patented formulas and clinically proven blends will make for a winning combination. "We see the marriage of these two companies as bridging the gap between distributors and manufacturers in the sports nutrition industry," Dente said. "Basic Research's clinical approach to sports nutrition and TNT's real world contact with athletes will produce products with broad appeal to wholesalers and consumers alike." Basic Research Sports will tap top athletes to endorse products and work hand-in-hand with Basic Research to develop and market new sports-related products, Dente said. "We really feel we're going to be one of the top players in the sports nutrition industry," Dente said. "There's no limit to where we can take this." For nearly 10 years, Basic Research companies have been applauded as innovators in the weight-control industry. It has enjoyed coveted industry accolades such as "Best Up and Coming Product" and "Best Seller" from Whole Foods, and three consecutive awards of "The Silver Vity" from Vitamin Retailer magazine. Contact: Angel Streeter TransMedia Group (561) 750-9800, ext. 21 AStreeter@transmediagroup.com