Pira and Smithers are now Fully Integrated

LEATHERHEAD, UK and AKRON, OH—April 2, 2012—Smithers unveiled today Smithers Pira, a global testing, consulting and information services business. Previously known as Pira International and now fully integrated with The Smithers Group, Smithers Pira is the worldwide authority on the packaging, paper and print industry supply chains.

Jim Dowey, President of Smithers Pira commented, "Our goal was to make it easy for clients to understand the connection to Smithers and at the same time retain the industry wide recognition of Pira International. Having the Smithers Group, a global independent technology based services organization, behind us is big plus for our clients. Smithers Pira in being part of the Smithers family is able to align with other Smithers companies to leverage resources when projects extend across multiple expertise areas."

Pira International has been part of the Smithers organization for over a year, with the acquisition occurring in late 2010. After first focusing on the goal of retaining all clients during the transition, Smithers Pira is now positioned to grow and build upon a diverse testing, consulting and information service offering.

Established in 1930, Smithers Pira provides strategic and technical consulting, testing, intelligence and events to help clients gain market insights, identify opportunities, evaluate product performance and manage compliance.

Combining industry experience with state of the art laboratory testing and simulation facilities, Smithers Pira Testing delivers tangible solutions for clients in the packaging, paper and print industry supply chains. Expertise encompasses chemical migration, materials selection, packaging conversion and performance in distribution and use.

Smithers Pira Not Alone In Announcing Changes
Smithers Pira is one of the technology-based companies that comprise The Smithers Group. Growth and expansion are driving changes within other parts of Smithers. Today Smithers announced a new brand. Smithers Apex, previously IntertechPira, is a global business that provides events, market research, publications and strategic and technical consulting to an expanding list of high growth industries including the home and personal care and photonics industries. Also today, Smithers Rapra announced an expanded scope, with testing and contract research services now supported by a broad information offering, all built around a core expertise in polymers and polymer related materials.

About Smithers Pira
Smithers Pira is the worldwide authority on packaging, paper and print industry supply chains. Established in 1930, the company provides strategic and technical consulting, testing, intelligence and events to help clients gain market insights, identify opportunities, evaluate product performance and manage compliance. 
For more information, visit www.smitherspira.com

About The Smithers Group
Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, The Smithers Group includes Smithers Pira, Smithers Rapra, Smithers Apex, Smithers Viscient, Smithers Pharma Services, and Smithers Quality Assessments. Each Smithers Group company provides technology-based services focused on a defined market. As a group the diversity of market sectors and technologies provides stability and a platform for long term growth. By integrating science, technology and business expertise, Smithers goal is to add value throughout the life cycle of our clients' products, by utilizing testing, consulting, information and compliance services. All Smithers companies are known by their clients as Trusted Providers of Innovative Solutions. For more information, visit www.smithers.com.