“We have always intended that crushers and conveyors would become seamless extensions of our P&H and Joy Mining product lines, and therefore sold and supported just as any other product in these divisions,” Joy Global president and chief executive Mike Sutherlin said.

“This integration will accelerate our progress in having Joy Mining Machinery and P&H Mining Equipment be the face to the customer for crushing and conveying systems.”

Sutherlin said P&H would be the exclusive surface mining and industrial applications dealer, and that covered all of Continental’s above-ground distributors.

Meanwhile, Joy Mining president Ted Doheny will be responsible for all aspects of the crushing and conveying division.

“This integration is a critical step in the long-term achievement and financial contribution of the crushing and conveying products, and is crucial to Joy Global’s success as a full systems supplier,” he said Monday.

At the time of Joy’s takeover of Continental in early 2008, Terry Nicola was named president of the entity, which became one of Joy Global’s three business segments alongside Joy Mining and P&H.

The name change to Continental Crushing and Conveying stemmed from Joy's decision to include its Stamler surface crushers and underground feeder breakers in the division. Continental had previously been known for its bulk material handling solutions for both mining and industrial applications.

Joy said in January 2008 the $US270 million purchase was part of a strategy to acquire companies with related and highly synergistic product lines.

“We will use our very strong aftermarket infrastructure and life cycle management programs around the world to support the Continental conveyor equipment and add value by improving the reliability of the entire system of equipment from the cutting face to the processing or loading facility," Sutherlin noted at the time.