Introduction

Welcome to the world of IQ...where we try to make possible the seemingly impossible and where ideas become reality...in record time. We at IQ believe that the pursuit of perfection is a journey—with a clear beginning and a clearly defined destination—albeit an inevitably elusive one. As we continue our journey, the challenge is not to permit ourselves to be satisfied with our lengthening list of successes or to succumb to the temptation to rest on our laurels, but rather to continue to move along the road to perfection, which will always remain our Goal.

We believe in, and put into practice, the power of classic applied science. We are researching, developing, and extending state-of-the-art technologies to establish, in domestic and international markets, new and improved standards for product performance, quality, and user-safety, while maintaining environmental integrity. Our commitment to the pursuit of perfection has led to the creation of unique process and composition technologies for the development of products, which today are without equal, and which will continue to establish the standards for years to come.

Consider our progress in the aerosol consumer products business. In the United States, the Clean Air Act of 1990 established the requirement for strict regulatory guidelines for the reduction of ground-level air pollution, also known as smog. The impact of these regulations on the consumer product industry has been significant, requiring a revolution in both the science and the methodology which historically have been used to manufacture many consumer products. In order for manufacturers to meet these regulations, many changes must occur in the formulation and manufacturing of aerosol and non-aerosol chemical products.

Indeed, compliance with the new regulations required the abandonment of many established thought processes, as old technologies became obsolete, often without suitable alternatives. Responding to this challenge, IQ's strength in applied science helped us to develop unique precision-filling process technologies. The result is IQ's proprietary low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound), yet high-performance, aerosol products, which were previously impossible to manufacture.

While most manufacturers lack the research and development capabilities necessary to create the level of technology which the future requires, IQ has methodically nurtured and developed a comprehensive scientific research capability. At the same time, IQ has quickly grown into a diversified, vertically integrated consumer products company which develops, manufactures and markets over two hundred IQ-branded products in a broad spectrum of market segments. We have achieved this success by meeting and exceeding the minimum requirements of current VOC regulations as well as consumer expectations for product performance.

At IQ, it can be done, and it is being done.