Adding Express Hose, which specializes in the distribution of hoses, fittings and other related products to the mining industry, especially in Arizona, will boost GHX’s footprint.

Company officials said the growth the takeover would give it in the US metals mining market was of particular interest.

GHX president Richard Harrison said the Express Hose arm would operate under the GHX family of companies and continue to service its existing customers as well as new clients with the expanded product offering.

United Central, which serves both coal and metal miners, enjoyed much growth in the latter part of 2012. The heart of that was in mid-October when the company acquired GHX.

Both companies in the United Distribution Group will continue to operate independently but will share administrative, strategic and management functions.

United Central chief executive Darrell Cole was appointed president and CEO of the United Distribution Group following the announcement, while United Central senior vice-president of sales and marketing and industry veteran of 31 years Henry Looney was promoted to president.

Three-decade industry veteran Harrison retained his seat as president of GHX, reporting to Cole.