With the restructuring of Smithers Scientific Services and Smithers Rapra Technology Ltd into a single business unit, The Smithers Group has announced the appointments of the new leadership team.

Jim Dowey, who joined Smithers in May 2007 as vice president and managing director of U.K.-based Smithers Rapra, has been named president of the new business unit. Prior to Smithers, Dowey was director of tire uniformity machinery at Kobelco Stewart Bolling Inc., a leading manufacturer of tire, rubber and plastic process development headquartered in Hudson, Ohio.

Jay Lutz, who has been leading Smithers Scientific Services for the past two years, will continue as vice president and chief operating officer of the company. He has more than 30 years’ experience in the automotive industry, much of it in product-oriented R&D, operations and engineering roles with manufacturers like Raybestos, Kelsey Hayes and Ford Motor.

Mike Day, formerly sales and technology director for Smithers Rapra, has been promoted to managing director of Smithers Rapra Technology Ltd. In his new position, he will lead all testing and analysis, consultancy and processing along with all research activities at Smithers Rapra. Day has been with the company since May 2007 and has implemented an effective; client focused and market segmentation strategy.

Carole Lee, formerly director of Information Products at Smithers Rapra, has been promoted to managing director of the new global information group. Lee has been with Smithers Rapra for nearly 30 years, and has been leading the information group since 2001. Under her guidance, the group has experienced global growth and undertaken diversification initiatives.