In a move to expand its services to the conveyor belt industry, Continental has acquired the Pinetown, South Africa, company, Advanced Imaging Technologies (PTY) Ltd., which is known globally for x-ray and magnetic imaging-based systems used for early detection of damages in fabric and steel cord conveyor belting. The price of the purchase was not disclosed.
“With this acquisition we added technical sensing knowledge and R&D competence to strengthen our competence in the area of predictive maintenance,” said Hans-Jürgen Duensing, responsible for the ContiTech division on the Continental executive board. “At the same time it is a strategic cornerstone to enlarge our service capabilities in industries such as mining.”
Advanced Imaging Technologies (Pty) Ltd. was founded in 2004 to provide scientific consulting services to South African industry and commerce, both in the private and public sectors. The company has specialized in developing innovative and cost-effective solutions to scientific and technical challenges experienced by large- and small-scale industry and commerce. Continental, through its conveyor belt operations in Marysville, Ohio, has partnered with Advanced Imaging Technologies for many years on a multitude of projects.
Conveyor belts keep the globalized cycle of mining and industry moving, says Continental. “If a belt system experiences an extended downtime, the entire production chain often collapses, intensive maintenance and often repair work is required,” said Hannes Friederichsen, head of the Continental conveyor belt group. “Monitoring systems help our customers to detect damages early and thereby reduce downtimes and save maintenance costs.”