How Bob’s Red Mill Improved Cleanliness and Efficiency with BFM® Fittings

Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods Inc., based in the USA, operates a large-scale milling facility that runs 24 hours a day, 6 days a week, producing a wide variety of flours, meals, and cereals. To keep up with demand, the company relies on a network of mills, screeners, and packaging machines—but their original connector system was slowing them down and creating issues.

Here’s how switching to BFM® flexible connector fittings helped eliminate dust leakage, reduce maintenance downtime, and streamline cleaning between product runs.

The Problem with Clamp-and-Sleeve Connectors

In its packaging lines, Bob’s Red Mill used standard clamp-and-sleeve connectors to link mills, screeners, and auger feeders. These connectors, while common in the industry, came with several major drawbacks:

  • Dust leakage into the facility, creating health and housekeeping concerns

  • Time-consuming cleaning between product runs to prevent cross-contamination

  • Difficult access to clamps, requiring tools and skilled labor

  • Operational inefficiencies, including inaccurate bag weights due to vibration transfer

“The clamps were a pain, especially the ones that were hard to access,” explains Bo Thomas, Superintendent of Engineering & Maintenance. “Removing and reinstalling them took too long and impacted our packaging efficiency.”

Each packaging line at the facility connects a stone mill to a horizontal vibratory screener, which discharges product into an auger feeder. These transitions required frequent disassembly—sometimes multiple times per shift—making sanitation a labor-intensive process.

Dust, Vibration & Product Loss

Aside from labor demands, the connectors caused real problems on the production floor:

  • Fugitive dust escaped through poor seals, contaminating equipment

  • Loose connections caused product spillage and material loss

  • Overtightening sleeves led to vibration transfer between equipment, affecting accuracy during bagging

These challenges prompted Bob’s Red Mill to seek a better, more hygienic solution for their food-grade process lines.

Discovering the BFM® Connector at a Food Expo

While attending a food processing expo, Thomas came across BFM® fittings—a revolutionary snap-fit connector system designed for hygienic, tool-free installation and removal.

“When we saw the fittings, we knew they’d improve cleanout times,” says Thomas. “We immediately ordered two custom BFM® connector fittings from Powder-Solutions, Inc.”

The company’s maintenance team replaced the traditional clamps and sleeves by welding BFM® spigots onto the screener discharge and auger feeder inlets. From there, the Seeflex sleeves snapped easily into place.

Immediate Improvements in Cleaning and Efficiency

After installing the first two BFM® fittings, Bob’s Red Mill saw rapid results:

  • Cleaning time dramatically reduced

  • No tools required for removal or reinstallation

  • Eliminated dust leakage and product contamination

  • Consistent sleeve length ensured no vibration issues between equipment

“The fittings are tool-free and easy to maintain,” Thomas says. “Operators just pop them out, clean the equipment, and pop them back in. No more guesswork or overtightening.”

Cost vs. Value: A Worthwhile Investment

While BFM® fittings come at a higher initial cost compared to traditional connectors, Thomas emphasizes the long-term value:

“They’re worth every penny when you consider the time and labor savings. They’re one of the best things we’ve found—there’s nothing negative about them at all.”

Following the success of the initial installation, Bob’s Red Mill has now outfitted over 50 transfer points across the facility with BFM® connectors.

“Anywhere there’s a transfer point, I’m putting them in. They’ve made things so much easier for our operators.”

Learn More About BFM® Fittings

Are you struggling with dust leaks, slow cleanouts, or sanitation compliance in your food manufacturing process?

BFM® fittings are the industry-leading solution for dust-tight, hygienic, and efficient flexible connections.

👉 Contact us today to speak with a BFM® product expert
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