Press Release 2

Applied Research Associates, Inc.
Acquires Cone Penetrometer Technology Business and Significant
Assets from Hogentogler & Co., Inc.

Merging Best of CPT Technology Brings Expanded Product Offering to Site Characterization Market

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico. - February 7, 2005 – Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) today announced that it has acquired the Cone Penetrometer Technology (CPT) business and assets from Hogentogler & Co., Inc. This acquisition brings together the best technologies of two world leaders in CPT, providing CPT clients around the world with expanded product offerings including a full line of Cone Penetrometer vehicles, a wide selection of digital sensors, acquisition systems, and software, and a variety of soil and ground water sampling devices. CPT products will be offered by Vertek, ARA’s manufacturing division, which has been supplying CPT systems since 1990.

"The acquisition of Hogentogler’s CPT product line will enhance and expand the level of technology and service provided to Hogentogler and Vertek clients, as well as to new companies entering the CPT market," said Robert Sues, ARA President. "CPT clients will truly have the best of both worlds, since both product lines will be fully supported as we move forward merging the technologies. The end result will be interchangeable CPT components, providing clients with the broadest range of choices, both in terms of sensors and push platforms."

"We’re very excited about expanding ARA’s CPT product line," said David Timian, Vice President and Division Manager for Vertek. "Adding Hogentogler’s light-weight CPT vehicles to our line will provide our clients with an affordable alternative to a heavy-duty truck."

More information about this acquisition can be found on the Vertek website at http://www.vertek.ara.com and on Hogentogler’s website at http://www.hogentogler.com.

About Applied Research Associates, Inc.

Founded in the high-tech environment that thrives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, ARA has expanded steadily and now operates offices throughout the country. ARA’s mission is to provide in-depth and diversified research, engineering, and technical support services. ARA approaches every project as an opportunity to go beyond expectations by providing solutions that accomplish all objectives and lead to new possibilities. A strong belief in personal excellence combined with a strict adherence to simple and effective operating principles allows ARA to consistently turn these opportunities into extremely satisfied clients. ARA has applied this formula since 1979 and it has established their international reputation as an engineering research company that exceeds expectations in solving complex geotechnical, environmental, and transportation problems.