The OEM said the Smart Services Centre combined all Joy’s services into one package under one roof.

“The centre features technological advancements in predictive maintenance, integration of mining processes/system optimisation, remote machine health monitoring, condition monitoring, training and 24-hour support,” the company said.

“At the hub of Joy's Smart Services is the 24/7 monitoring centre, which provides real-time information and support on life-cycle management packages.

“The control room features a 6-metre video wall, which displays information dashboards of various machines at different customer sites, as well as comprehensive underground machine and network status information.”

Joy president and chief operating officer Ted Doheny opened the centre in the week starting June 22, and said it marked a major milestone in the company’s 90-year history of providing key innovations to the mining industry.

“Joy Smart Services will allow us to get critical operational data on our equipment and the mining operation back to our engineering design centres around the world so that we can continue to not only provide the most reliable and productive machinery for our customers, but also enhance the performance of the entire mining system,” he said.

“Joy Smart Services will help us increase our service performance to the mines as we extend the equipment life and provide predictive tools so we have the right parts and service available when needed.”

Doheny was excited that the South African team had taken the leadership position as Joy planned to expand this service to other markets around the world, taking its industry-leading service to the next level of performance.

Joy South Africa managing director Jason Savage said the centre was launched in the country because of the room and pillar orientation of its coal mining industry and the strong drive to be the lowest-cost producer of coal.

“Our committed engineering team, combined with the local mining environment, made South Africa the ideal site to launch Joy Smart Services,” Savage said.

“The South African operation will act as a blueprint for the rollout of Joy Smart Services across the world.”

Savage said the launch of Smart Services marked the beginning of an ongoing journey and was core to Joy’s global strategy going forward.

“The Joy Smart Services Centre is the culmination of our vision in partnership with our customers in applying technology to improve safety, productivity and lower the cost of coal mined.”

The official opening was attended by more than 400 visitors during the week, including top mining executives.