AKRON — In a move designed to streamline services for its clients, Smithers Group Inc. is planning to consolidate all of its companies under a single brand identity and motto: "Innovate with Confidence."

BOWIE, Md. — The Tire Industry Association is re-energizing its Environmental Advisory Council under the leadership of TIA President John Evankovich, with former TIA President Dick Gust as chair.

GUANGZHOU, China — Revenue generated by China's rubber industry was essentially unchanged last year versus 2017, at $105 billion, according to China's National Bureau of Statistics. The value of exports rose 4.4% to $23 billion.

FAIRFAX, Va. — Virginia Tire & Auto has named Mike and Jule Holmes co-CEOs and promoted Ben Wilson to chief operating officer.

SANTA FE SPRINGS, Calif. — Southern California-based wheel distributor 1-800EveryRim-OEM Wheels has rolled out EveryRim.com, a website for dealers that can serve as an original equipment wheel tool.

AKRON — Despite movement by some of the other top tire makers, Bridgestone Corp. remains the No. 1 tire maker in the world. Tire Business Editor Don Detore and Special Project Reporter Bruce Davis look beyond the numbers in a livestream broadcast that looks at the Global Tire Report. The event is Thursday, Sept. 12 at 2 p.m.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Wheel balance weight producer Wegmann Automotive G.m.b.H. has acquired parts of the business operations of Alligator Ventilfabrik G.m.b.H. and subsidiaries, a provider of tire valves and tire pressure monitoring systems.

HUNGERFORD, England — Kerridge Commercial Systems Ltd., a Hungerford-based provider of specialized software, services and support, is buying MAM Software Group Inc., the supplier of business management solutions for the automotive parts, tire and vertical distribution industries.

LIVONIA, Mich. — ZF Aftermarket has launched a marketing campaign that asks automotive industry professionals to show their pride in the parts they use by submitting pictures with the hashtag "'ItsAboutThePart."