Dowey Appointed as Rapra Head

James L. Dowey has been appointed as vice president and managing director of Smithers Rapra Technology, the British subsidiary of Akron-based The Smithers Group. Mr. Dowey is currently director of tyre uniformity machinery at Kobelco Stewart Bolling Inc. based in Hudson, Ohio. He replaces Hugh Pace, formerly of Goodyear, who will become chairman and CEO of Pirelli Tire North America. “Jim will be an excellent addition to the company and will provide a seamless transition in managing our business and international growth opportunities,” said Michael Hochschwender, president and CEO of The Smithers Group, parent company.

Hugh D. Pace, the new chairman and CEO of Pirelli North America, has 30 years of experience at the highest levels of the tyre industry, comes to Pirelli from Smithers Rapra Ltd, a British subsidiary of The Smithers Group, where he served as Vice President and Managing Director.

Hugh Pace will assume his duties as Chairman and CEO of Pirelli North America effective 4 June 2007, replacing Kevin Riddett who is leaving Pirelli after 10 years with the Group to embark on new professional challenges. “Mr. Pace’s international experience is a major plus for our company’s growth strategies in North America”, said Francesco Gori, CEO of Pirelli Tyre Spa.

Hugh Pace holds an MBA from Thunderbird – The American Graduate School of International Management and a BA degree in Economics from Ohio Wesleyan University. He began his career with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in sales and marketing, and then progressed to several senior executive posts, including the presidencies of the Asia Pacific Region, Mexico and Argentina.

In his new role Mr. Dowey will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of Smithers Rapra’s independent polymer research, testing and consulting activities, which encompass extensive physical, analytical and processing laboratory services; research programs on evolving technologies; consultancy projects for companies and governmental agencies; and a full complement of information services.

He brings to Smithers Rapra 35 years of experience in operations management and engineering. Mr. Dowey has held top executive positions with The Poling Group – Akron Special Machinery Inc., Air Enterprises Inc., Illinois Tool Works Inc., and Eagle-Picher Industries Inc. – Akron Standard Division.

A native of Akron, Ohio, Mr. Dowey holds a BSEE degree in electrical engineering from The University of Akron. He and his wife, Carol will soon relocate to the U.K.

A little about Smithers Rapra Technology

Formerly known as Rapra Technology, Smithers Rapra is an independent organization with over 80 years of experience providing industry with technology, information and consultancy on all aspects of plastics and rubber materials. The company is based near Shrewsbury with a regional office in Billingham, Cleveland.

Smithers Rapra has extensive analytical, testing and processing laboratories, which are complemented by an information centre, which maintains and develops the world’s most comprehensive database of commercial and technical information on rubber and plastics – Rapra Abstracts. It publishes a wide range of technology and market-based journals and books, organizes national and international conferences and provides polymer technology training courses.

Smithers Rapra Technology is the latest addition to The Smithers Group and is headquartered in Shawbury, Shropshire, U.K., with a site in Billingham. The company offers a diverse range of analytical, testing, research and information services to the rubber and plastics industry, providing a critical link to the U.K. and European markets, particularly in the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors.