Continental says it has “strategically sharpened” its profile as a provider of service and complete conveying solutions and therefore has opted to unify its portfolio under the Continental brand. In the future, all products, technologies and services, know-how and expertise will be combined under the Continental brand.
“Decisive drivers are our customers. In this way, our customers and partners will benefit from a stronger and trusted global product portfolio from a single source. Thus, we will further be joining forces to continue our customer-centric business approach,” explained Hannes Friederichsen, heading the business unit Conveying Solutions at Continental. Starting January 2021, all products from company-owned brands PHOENIX, IMAS, Kolubara, LEGG, Matador and National Belt Service will be integrated into the broad Continental product and service portfolio.
In mining, Hamburg-based PHOENIX Conveyor Belt Systems is the best known of these – part of PHOENIX AG, which was acquired by Continental back in 2004 – its belting solutions have been used at many of the world’s largest mines including El Abra, Los Pelambres, Chuquicamata and Collahuasi. Its sub-brands include the well known Phoenocord steel cord belt which includes belts up to the ST10000 with a breaking strength of 10,000 N/mm and a width of 3,200 mm. Belts can be manufactured in lengths weighing up to 60 t. The ST8000 as an example is used at Vale’s huge truckless S11D iron ore mine.
The company says the bundling of assets under one global brand goes along with an optimization and extension of the portfolio in both belts and digital products. Continental is further extending its offer with an increasing number of value-add digital innovations and services. “We see fast changing requirements in our markets. A few years ago, our customers asked for high-quality, long-life belts. Now, construction, industry and mining companies are looking for safety, quality, efficiency and productivity gains. Our customers are requiring integrated solutions covering the entire value chain around a belt from commissioning, consulting and training to digital monitoring and on-site maintenance. Additionally, energy-optimised belts, new business models and sustainability aspects will play a crucial and competitive role in the future,” said Andreas Bakenhus, at Continental responsible for the newly created conveying solutions service segment. “Basically, we understand it as our job to offer service levels that allows our customers to fully concentrate on their core business.”
Beyond that, Continental says it will extend its support to their regional distributors with an extended offering of service-related products and digital tools. Continental add that it continues to develop value adding digital solutions and services, such as its new drone-based monitoring solution for conveyor systems that will be launched to the market in 2021.
Globally Continental offers both an international network of 1,300 experienced service technicians and partners as well as abroad scope of digital solutions, for example its intelligent integrated condition monitoring system Conti MultiProtect that detects potential problems early on and minimises downtime.
“We deliver world class and innovative products and services that contribute to the business of our partners worldwide,” added Dr Michael Hofmann at Continental, responsible for key account management and marketing for conveying solutions. “In the past, we had a line-up of different brands and product lines. We are now simplifying our world class portfolio to provide our global markets easier and faster access to our entire product line-up. This includes Continental’s outstanding know-how, technology, innovation and research and development resources, global production and service network.”
“As one of the leading experts for conveying solutions Continental is offering customers worldwide the most complete and advanced product, technology, and service portfolio for all construction, mining and bulk material handling applications. Continental businesses build on an experience of almost 150 years in high-performance conveyor belts.”
In 2019, for example, Continental installed the world’s strongest conveyor belt ST10000 at the world’s largest copper mine in Chuquicamata, Chile. Elsewhere, Europe’s longest conveyor belt for a cement factory was built by Continental and Techmi in Montalieu, France. The endless belt is about 13 km long and does a twist and turn on the head and tail of the system to run parallel to the loaded belt on the return.