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Leading Producer Turns to the Grote Company Family of Brands for a Pork Belly Slicing Line

Written by Mindson Dev on December 11, 2025.

The Challenge

A well-known producer of pork products was in search of a solution for a pork belly slicing project as it developed new offerings incorporating bacon bits and slices.

The company was focused on maximizing the use of available space while keeping costs under control.

The Solution

The processor turned to Grote Company to purchase a slicer, but it also needed to buy other machinery. When the customer discovered that PFI, also part of the Grote Company Family of Brands, could provide the additional equipment for the project, the decision was easy.

The collaboration between the sister companies resulted in a solution that not only addressed the manufacturer’s challenges but also provided a major additional benefit: enabling it to operate on one line instead of two. This saved the company significant space and costs.

After assessing the situation to determine the best equipment to meet the brand’s needs, PFI and Grote Company collaborated on a processing line that included:

A PFI sanitary stainless steel two-stage dumper, which transfers product to the line, where a metal detector ensures the product is safe to continue processing.
An inclined belt conveyor that transports the product to a custom platform. The conveyor includes tool-free adjustments for easier loading from the PFI platform.
A Grote High-Speed Slicer, which slices the pork into either bits or slices.

The customer worked with PFI as the single point of contact, enabling streamlined communication and project management.

The Results

PFI and Grote Company worked together to manage the project, providing testing and support, which culminated in seamless, on-time delivery and installation for the customer.

By working with a partner who could help maximize available space while addressing efficiency needs, a more effective solution was achieved.

The Future

With this project successfully installed and in operation at the plant, the door is open for future collaborations between the manufacturer and the Grote Company Family of Brands.

The ability to collaborate across brands gives customers access to a holistic solution that simplifies the purchasing process, delivery and installation, as well as providing reliable ongoing support and maintenance.

Stainless steel belt conveyor pulley manufactured by PFI

Choosing the Right Replacement Parts for Your Belt Conveyor

Written by Kimberly on December 9, 2025.

Keeping your belt conveyor running at peak performance requires more than regular maintenance—it depends on having the right replacement parts when wear and tear occur.

For food processors, two of the most important replacement components are pulleys and belts. These parts affect efficiency/operation, flow/rate, and uptime.

Selecting the right replacements not only extends equipment life but also helps maintain the strict performance standards that define food processing environments.

PRIORITIZING PULLEY PERFORMANCE

As the driving force behind a belt conveyor, pulleys play a critical role in ensuring smooth, consistent operation. Over time, pulleys can wear down or become misaligned, leading to belt slippage, uneven tension, or tracking issues. When it’s time for replacement, choosing the right pulley type and construction is essential for maintaining performance and reliability.

PFI manufactures its own pulleys in-house to match the exact requirements of each conveyor system. Whether you need drive, tail, or idler pulleys, each one is engineered with precision to support proper belt performance, reduce maintenance demands, and withstand rigorous operating conditions.

PFI’s pulleys are manufactured in stainless steel or Acetyl, and are designed for the ultimate sanitation and durability necessary for food-grade belt conveyor applications.

When selecting replacement pulleys, it’s important to consider:

Belt compatibility: Ensure the pulley surface, diameter, and crown design match your belt type for proper engagement.
Operating conditions: Choose quality construction that can withstand washdowns, temperature fluctuations, and exposure to cleaning chemicals.
Tensioning and tracking: Confirm the pulley design supports the required belt tension and maintains accurate tracking to prevent product or belt damage.

PFI’s engineering expertise ensures that every pulley replacement fits seamlessly into your system, maintaining both performance and compliance with food safety requirements.

SELECTING THE RIGHT REPLACEMENT BELT

While pulleys keep your belt conveyor moving, the belt itself is what carries your product, making it equally important to choose replacements carefully. The right belt must be compatible with your application, and sanitation requirements. Factors like belt material, cleat/flight design, and surface texture all influence how effectively your product moves and how easily the belt can be cleaned.

In addition to our specialized OEM belts, PFI partners with the top conveyor belting suppliers like Intralox and others to provide a wide range of replacement belt options to your spec.

When selecting replacement belts, consider:

Belt-pulley compatibility to ensure smooth operation and proper tracking.
Sanitation needs—opt for food-grade, easy-to-clean materials and high-quality construction.
Operating environment—account for product type, temperature, and cleaning frequency to prevent premature wear.

COMMON BELT TYPES

Monolithic Belts: Lightweight and ultra-cleanable, monolithic belts are a versatile choice for a wide range of food processing applications.
Modular Belts: Constructed from interlocking plastic segments, these belts are durable and easy to remove for cleaning.
Wire Belts: Stainless steel chain belting used for extreme hot or cold processing applications.
Monofilament Belts: Designed for tight nose transfer of small products from one conveyor to another.

Most sanitary conveyor belts are offered in blue or white—the industry-preferred colors because they provide high visibility in food processing and are easily detected by vision and X-ray systems. While blue has become the standard, we can supply belts in customer-specified colors when needed. PFI’s team can help match your conveyor with the ideal belt replacement, ensuring both compatibility and performance.

PARTNERING FOR LONG-TERM RELIABILITY

Sourcing the right replacement components is only part of the equation. Working with a manufacturer that understands your entire conveying system is what ensures lasting reliability. PFI not only manufactures precision-engineered pulleys and supplies industry-leading belts but also provides ongoing service and support to keep your line running smoothly.

From identifying the correct parts to assisting with installation and alignment, PFI’s team works alongside you to protect uptime and product integrity. With a deep understanding of food conveying systems and sanitary design, PFI ensures every replacement part contributes to safe, efficient, and dependable operation.

TRUST PFI WITH YOUR BELT CONVEYOR REPLACEMENT PARTS

From precision-engineered pulleys to high-performance conveyor belts, PFI provides the parts and expertise to keep your belt conveyor system performing at its best. When it’s time for replacements, trust the food conveyance experts who know your system inside and out.

Request Parts for Your Belt Conveyor

Pancakes being transported on a curved belt conveyor

Belt Conveyor Systems: Custom Configurations for Your Facility

Written by Kimberly on November 20, 2025.

When designing a new processing plant or production line, few components are as critical—or as adaptable—as the belt conveyor.

While belt conveyors may seem simple in concept, their ability to be customized makes them essential for modern food processing facilities. Every plant layout is unique, which is why PFI designs and builds belt conveyor systems that fit seamlessly into your operation, maximizing efficiency, hygiene, and product flow.

BELT CONVEYORS BUILT AROUND YOUR PROCESS

No two production lines are alike, and neither are PFI’s belt conveyors. Each conveyor is engineered to fit your process flow, available space, and sanitation requirements. Whether you’re conveying in a straight line, around corners, or elevating product to the next step in your process, PFI designs belt conveyors that work with your layout, not against it.

FLEXIBLE CONVEYOR CONFIGURATIONS FOR EVERY LAYOUT

PFI’s belt conveyors can be configured in many different ways to fit your plant’s footprint and production needs. Listed below are five common belt conveyor designs, each solving a specific conveying challenge.

FLAT BELT CONVEYORS

Flat belt conveyors, or horizontal belt conveyors, provide efficient, reliable product transfer between stages of your process. Available in a wide range of lengths and widths, they deliver smooth, consistent movement and are easily customized to fit your specific layout and sanitation needs.

INCLINED BELT CONVEYORS

Inclined belt conveyors elevate product to the next stage of your process with minimal waste and a compact footprint. They can be built at any angle between five and 90 degrees, ensuring your conveyor is designed to meet the exact elevation requirements of your production line.

CURVED BELT CONVEYORS

Curved belt conveyors guide product smoothly around corners or obstacles to maximize your facility’s usable space. Their controlled, consistent motion maintains product orientation and flow through every turn, ensuring efficiency across complex layouts.

VERTICAL BELT CONVEYORS

Vertical belt conveyors lift product vertically—up to 90 degrees—between dual “sandwiched” belts, keeping product secure and intact during transfer. Their positive drive system, automatic infeed, and pneumatic tensioning enable clean, efficient operation in a compact footprint.

TROUGH BELT CONVEYORS

Trough belt conveyors use a gently concave belt to keep bulk or loose materials centered and contained. Customizable in depth, width, and incline, they offer smooth, spill-free conveying for powders, grains, and other free-flowing ingredients.

DESIGNED WITH PRECISION & PURPOSE

PFI customizes every detail of the belt conveyor to match the application. Belt width, pulley design, drive configuration, and speed are all selected based on your specific product and throughput requirements. From gentle handling of fragile food items to rapid transfer of bulk ingredients, every conveyor is engineered for accuracy, consistency, and ease of operation.

Additionally, all belt conveyor aspects listed below are customizable:

Footprint (e.g., length, width, curved, incline)
Integration (e.g., height, width, small nose to avoid gaps)
Application (e.g., aligning/positioning, merging/sorting, bulk handling)
Sanitary design (e.g., RTE/washdown)
Belts (r.g., type, material)
Components (e.g., stainless pulleys)

A SEAMLESS FIT IN YOUR FACILITY

PFI’s engineering team works closely with processors to understand their full production flow and design complete conveying systems, not just standalone belt conveyors.

In most applications, belt conveyors are integrated with complementary technologies such as dumpers, vibratory conveyors, and bucket elevators to create a cohesive, efficient material handling solution. From early concept discussions through final installation, each system is engineered for long-term reliability, efficiency, and adaptability.

CUSTOM BELT CONVEYORS DESIGNED FOR YOUR APPLICATION & FOOTPRINT

The video below shows a conveyor system equipped with a range of belt conveyors, custom-built for a pancake manufacturer. Notice how the manufacturer uses belt conveyors in various configurations to optimize its plant layout.

YOUR PARTNER IN FOOD CONVEYANCE

At PFI, we understand that your production environment is unique and your conveyance systems should be too. Our custom belt conveyors are built around your space, your process, and your product. With decades of experience in sanitary conveying solutions, PFI is ready to help you design a conveyor system that elevates your operation from the ground up. Contact us today for help with designing the ideal belt conveyors for your operation.

Explore Our Belt Conveyors

Vibratory conveyor transporting corn snacks through a processing line

Choosing the Right Conveyor for Snack Food Manufacturing

Written by Howard on September 25, 2025.

Snack food processors face unique challenges: fragile products that break easily and long production runs that require consistent uptime. Whether you’re moving chips fresh out of the fryer, blending multiple products into a snack mix, or transporting packaged pretzels to final packaging, the right conveying system makes all the difference.

At PFI, we’ve spent decades designing conveyors that integrate seamlessly into snack food lines, keeping your process efficient, gentle, and sanitary. Here’s how different conveyor types support snack food manufacturing, and how to choose the right option for your application.

ADDRESSING SNACK INDUSTRY CHALLENGES WITH THE RIGHT CONVEYORS

Snack food manufacturers need conveyors that:

Prevent product loss – Gentle handling avoids breakage and fines.
Support long run times – Equipment must run continuously with minimal downtime.
Simplify sanitation – Open frames and accessible designs make cleaning quick and thorough.
Integrate seamlessly – Conveyors should link blending, frying, seasoning, weighing, and packaging equipment into one efficient line.

By understanding how each conveyor type addresses these needs, snack food processors can select the right equipment mix to keep production efficient and snacks high-quality.

BELT CONVEYORS: A RELIABLE, FLEXIBLE BACKBONE

Belt conveyors are one of the most common solutions in snack food manufacturing. They efficiently move product from point A to point B, whether over long runs or at an incline. Flat-bed belt conveyors work well for general transport, while trough and incline belts prevent spillage when handling bulk products like nuts, puffs, or snack mixes.

Best for: General conveying, elevating bulk products, connecting multiple stages of the line.

HORIZONTAL MOTION CONVEYORS: PROTECTING DELICATE PRODUCTS

Delicate snacks such as chips, crackers, or extruded puffs can break or create fines when handled roughly. Horizontal motion conveyors provide smooth, gentle movement without vibration, making them ideal for fragile products. They also minimize product buildup and are easy to clean, supporting both quality and sanitation.

Best for: Gentle handling of fragile products like chips, crackers, and extruded snacks.

VIBRATORY CONVEYORS: PRECISE, VERSATILE MOVEMENT

When accuracy and control are needed, vibratory conveyors excel. They can screen, feed, mix/blend, and distribute product evenly across multiple lanes, keeping mixes consistent and flow controlled. Vibratory systems are versatile enough to handle a wide variety of snack foods, from nuts to popcorn, and they integrate easily with seasoning, weighing, and packaging equipment.

Best for: Feeding, screening, distributing, and lane control of mixed or free-flowing snacks.

BUCKET & INCLINE CONVEYORS: ELEVATING PRODUCT

Snack food lines often require product to move vertically—for example, lifting popcorn to a seasoning tumbler or nuts to a packaging machine. Bucket elevators and incline conveyors handle these elevation changes efficiently without sacrificing throughput. With sanitary construction and customizable design, they’re built to run reliably in demanding snack operations.

Best for: Vertical or incline transport of bulk snacks to higher processes.

PARTNER WITH PFI FOR SNACK FOOD CONVEYORS

At PFI, we configure each conveying system to your exact application and layout. Whether your product is chips, popcorn, pretzels, or snack mixes, we’ll design a solution that moves it gently, safely, and efficiently from mixing to packaging.

Looking to upgrade your snack food line? Contact the PFI team today to configure the right conveyor system for your operation.

Speak to a Conveyor Expert Explore Our Snack Food Conveyors

Flat belt conveyor installed in a food manufacturing facility

Common Belt Conveyor Applications in Food Manufacturing

Written by Howard on September 22, 2025.

Efficiency is critical in food manufacturing. Whether you’re moving bulk ingredients, transporting delicate baked goods, or elevating meat products to the next stage in processing, reliable conveyance keeps your line running smoothly. Among the many conveying technologies available, belt conveyors remain one of the most common and versatile solutions in the food industry.

PFI’s belt conveyors are configurable for your unique layout, customizable with the right belt type, and built with sanitation at the forefront. Below, we’ll explore some of the most common applications of belt conveyors in food manufacturing and how PFI’s solutions stand apart.

1. MOVING BULK INGREDIENTS

From cereal and pasta to pet food and nuts, belt conveyors are often the first choice for moving bulk products over long, straight runs. With options like flat-bed or trough-style belts, processors can minimize product loss while maintaining consistent throughput. For example, a trough belt conveyor prevents loose materials from spilling, making it an excellent fit for cereals, grains, and powders.

2. GENTLE HANDLING OF BAKED GOODS & SNACKS

In industries like bakery and snack foods, maintaining product integrity is crucial. Belt conveyors equipped with tight transfers and gentle handling features allow delicate products—like cookies, crackers, or snack bars—to move through the line without breaking or degrading. PFI’s Curveyor adds even more flexibility by guiding products around 30–180° turns without sacrificing handling quality.

3. ELEVATING PRODUCTS BETWEEN PROCESSES

Not all processing lines run at the same level. That’s where incline belt conveyors, like PFI’s Eleveyor, come in. These systems elevate products such as frozen foods, raw meats, or wrapped goods to the next stage of processing with minimal product waste. With options for cleated or modular belts, processors can move even challenging products securely and efficiently.

4. TRANSPORTING FRESH & READY-TO-EAT (RTE) FOODS

Fresh products—such as dairy, meat, and produce—and ready-to-eat (RTE) foods require the highest standards of sanitation. PFI’s belt conveyors are built with open, accessible frames, stainless steel construction, and easy-to-clean designs to meet strict RTE requirements. This not only ensures product safety but also reduces downtime for sanitation and belt changeouts.

5. FLEXIBLE LINE INTEGRATION

Food manufacturing rarely relies on a single conveyor. Belt conveyors are often used alongside other conveyor technologies to create a complete system. Whether linking to scales and packaging equipment, feeding an oven, or transferring product between inspection points, PFI belt conveyors can be customized to integrate seamlessly with OEM machines and other PFI conveying solutions.

WHY FOOD PROCESSORS CHOOSE BELT CONVEYORS

Belt conveyors are sometimes considered the “default” option in food processing, and for good reason:

Versatility: Capable of handling dry, wet, bulk, or packaged products.
Low Upfront Cost: A cost-effective way to establish reliable conveyance.
Configurable Design: Horizontal, incline, and curved layouts to fit any line.
Sanitation: Built to meet the highest hygiene standards for food safety.

While they require more ongoing maintenance compared to some other conveyor types, PFI’s belt conveyors are engineered for easy belt changes, quick cleaning, and long-term reliability, helping processors balance upfront costs with long-term performance.

PARTNER WITH PFI FOR BELT CONVEYOR SOLUTIONS

No matter what food products you manufacture, PFI has decades of experience configuring sanitary belt conveyor systems that keep food moving safely and efficiently. From flat-bed and incline to curved belt conveyors, our solutions are designed for optimal product handling and seamless line integration.

Looking for a belt conveyor tailored to your application? Contact the PFI team today to explore the right configuration for your processing line.

Speak to a Conveyor Expert Explore Our Belt Conveyors

Choosing the Right Conveyor for RTE Food Manufacturing

Written by Howard on September 22, 2025.

Ready-to-Eat (RTE) food manufacturing moves fast, and your conveying systems need to keep up while protecting product safety and quality. Whether you’re producing ready meals, salads, sandwiches, or grab-and-go snacks, every conveyor in your line plays a critical role in maintaining freshness, preventing contamination, and ensuring an efficient, streamlined process.

With decades of experience working alongside RTE processors, PFI designs and manufactures sanitary conveying solutions built to handle diverse product mixes, high production volumes, and rigorous hygiene standards. This blog explains how to choose the right conveyor for your RTE application.

PRIORITIZE SANITATION ABOVE ALL

In RTE manufacturing, there’s no cooking step after assembly to eliminate contaminants, making sanitation your first and most important line of defense. Poorly designed equipment can harbor bacteria like Listeria or E. coli, which not only threaten consumer health but can also lead to costly recalls averaging $10 million and long-term brand damage. It’s far less expensive to prevent contamination than to manage an outbreak once it occurs.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN SANITARY CONVEYOR DESIGN

Your sanitary conveyors should be designed for maximum accessibility and ease of cleaning, with smooth, stainless steel construction, sloped surfaces, and IP69K-rated components where required. Open-frame designs and toolless disassembly minimize harborage points, allowing for fast washdowns and reducing downtime while improving food safety validation. Features such as clean-in-place systems or belt lifts further streamline sanitation and reduce operator handling, lowering the risk of contamination spread.

PFI’s conveyors for the RTE industry are engineered with these principles in mind, helping processors meet FSMA and USDA standards, protect their brand, and maintain high uptime.

MATCH THE CONVEYOR TYPE TO THE APPLICATION

No single conveyor type is ideal for every step in RTE production. Instead, selecting the right conveyor for each stage ensures optimal product handling and efficiency.

Common conveyor types for RTE lines include:

Belt Conveyors – Versatile for moving packaged or unpackaged products through assembly and packaging stages; available in horizontal, inclined, curved, and trough layouts.
Vibratory Conveyors & Feeders – Perfect for gently handling bulk ingredients like cut vegetables, shredded cheese, or toppings without damage; can also dewater, grade, or distribute product.
Horizontal Motion Conveyors – The gentlest option for fragile, coated, or seasoned items; ideal for reducing breakage and seasoning loss.

PFI can integrate multiple conveyor types into one cohesive system, ensuring every product is handled appropriately from start to finish.

PROTECT PRODUCT INTEGRITY

RTE foods often include delicate components like leafy greens, soft bread, or crumbly toppings that can be damaged by rough handling. The right conveyor will maintain product integrity while still meeting throughput requirements.

PFI’s conveyors are designed to:

Minimize drop heights and transfer points.
Maintain gentle handling to prevent crushing or tearing.
Prevent seasoning loss, moisture buildup, or ingredient displacement.

These features help keep your product looking and tasting as intended, which is key for quality and consumer satisfaction.

CONSIDER FLEXIBILITY FOR YOUR PRODUCT MIX

RTE production lines often handle a variety of SKUs, including a range of ingredients for salads, sandwiches, snack trays, and more, all on the same shift. Your conveying equipment should be able to adapt quickly to different products and processing requirements.

PFI custom-configures every conveyor to your product mix and can design solutions that:

Handle both hot and cold products.
Switch between ingredients and product types with minimal changeover time.
Integrate seamlessly with slicing, dicing, mixing, and packaging equipment from other OEMs.

OPTIMIZE FOR LAYOUT & INTEGRATION

In RTE manufacturing, floor space is valuable, and production flows are often complex. Choosing conveyors that can be configured to fit tight spaces or navigate around equipment helps you maximize your plant’s footprint.

PFI works closely with your team to design conveyors that integrate perfectly into your existing or planned layout. This ensures smooth product transitions, efficient line operation, and easier access for maintenance.

PFI: YOUR PARTNER FOR RTE CONVEYING SOLUTIONS

Choosing the right conveyor for your RTE food manufacturing process requires balancing food safety, product handling, flexibility, and efficiency. With decades of experience and a full range of sanitary conveyor types, PFI can help you configure a system tailored to your exact products, processes, and plant layout.

Speak to an Expert Explore RTE Solutions

A belt conveyor moving pieces of meat and a vibratory conveyor moving french fries illustrate two types of sanitary conveyors.

Belt vs. Vibratory Conveyors: Which is Right for Your Application?

Written by Howard on September 18, 2025.

In food manufacturing, choosing the right conveyor is a crucial decision that directly impacts your bottom line. A conveyor isn’t just a link between processes; it’s a critical part of maintaining product quality, optimizing efficiency, and ensuring food safety.

Two common conveyor types in the industry are belt conveyors and vibratory conveyors. While both reliably move product from point A to point B, they excel in different applications. This blog compares the two conveyor types to help you determine which one is right for your operation.

BELT CONVEYORS: RELIABLE & CONFIGURABLE FOR NEARLY ANY LAYOUT

Belt conveyors are one of the most widely used conveying solutions in the food industry, known for their versatility and ease of integration into complex processing lines. Using a continuous belt surface, they can move a wide variety of products while maintaining product quality and line efficiency.

WHEN TO CHOOSE A BELT CONVEYOR:

You need a flexible, integration-ready conveyor that can handle a wide variety of products, including wrapped, packaged, or delicate items.

Belt conveyors have been the industry standard for decades. Their biggest advantage is versatility—PFI’s belt conveyors can be configured in horizontal, incline, trough, or curved layouts, and integrated seamlessly with other equipment.

KEY BENEFITS OF BELT CONVEYORS:

Gentle product handling – Smooth belt surfaces and tight transfers prevent breakage or product degradation.
Flexible configurations – Horizontal, incline, and curved designs adapt to nearly any plant layout.
Lower initial investment – The initial price tag of belt conveyors tends to be lower than newer technology solutions.
Sanitary construction – Open-frame, stainless steel designs and options, such as belt scrapers and CIP systems, allow for faster cleaning and changeovers compared to past models.

IDEAL INDUSTRIES & PRODUCTS FOR BELT CONVEYORS:

VIBRATORY CONVEYORS: FAST, GENTLE & LOW-MAINTENANCE

Vibratory conveyors use controlled vibration to move food products efficiently and gently along a smooth pan surface. Designed with minimal moving parts and high sanitation standards, they’re ideal for bulk product handling and can perform additional processing functions like metering, feeding, grading, and more while conveying.

Vibratory conveyors are commonly used in many of the same food processing industries listed in the section above for belt conveyors. The key difference is how they are being used, or the specific application(s) for which they are being used, as described below.

WHEN TO CHOOSE A VIBRATORY CONVEYOR:

You need high-volume throughput, product alignment or distribution, and simple sanitation with minimal moving parts.

Vibratory conveyors use controlled vibration to move product forward; they are ideal for applications where precise product flow, spreading, grading, or dewatering is required. They excel at handling unpackaged, bulk food products.

KEY BENEFITS OF VIBRATORY CONVEYORS:

Gentle yet efficient handling – Reduces product damage, even with fragile items like nuts or frozen fruit.
Multiple functions in one machine – Convey, feed, screen, dewater, lane, grade, or spread product.
Low maintenance – Few moving parts mean less downtime and longer life.
Energy efficiency – Mechanical and electromagnetic drive options to suit your application.
Easy sanitation – Smooth pans and accessible designs make cleaning quick and thorough.

IDEAL INDUSTRIES & PRODUCTS FOR VIBRATORY CONVEYORS:

An example of how these conveyor types are deployed differently within a single industry is, within a bakery, belt conveyors are ideal for transporting raw dough, while vibratory conveyors are ideal for adding sprinkles to treats, pancakes, etc.

SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON

Feature	Belt Conveyors	Vibratory Conveyors
Product Handling	Universal for a wide range of food products, both packaged and unpackaged products	Very gentle. Ideal for bulk product; wet or dry, sticky or abrasive, seasoned or coated
Configuration Flexibility	High–horizontal, incline, curved, and trough layouts, a range of widths and lengths, and a choice of belts	High–mechanical or electromagnetic drives, custom pans, a range of widths and lengths
Throughput	Moderate to high	High (especially for bulk flow)
Applications	Primarily conveying	Conveying + feeding, grading, dewatering, spreading, and more
Maintenance	Belts, pulleys, bearings, and more require periodic replacement	Very low–minimal moving parts
Sanitation	Sanitary, open-frame designs; belts must be cleaned or changed; more moving parts	Very sanitary; smooth pans are easy to wipe down and clean
Best For	Versatile product types and layouts	Bulk handling, distribution, and processing steps

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CONVEYOR FOR YOUR APPLICATION

The best conveyor for your operation depends on your product, process, and plant layout:

Choose a belt conveyor when your application strictly requires conveying, when you’re looking for a simple integration (i.e., straight lines, long distances, elevated), or when you need to get around equipment or other obstacles with less construction.
Choose a vibratory conveyor if you’re moving bulk products, need high throughput, or want to combine conveying with additional processing steps like dewatering or grading.

In many plants, the best solution is a combination of both—belt conveyors for certain line segments, vibratory conveyors for others—to achieve optimal efficiency, product quality, and sanitation.

PFI: YOUR PARTNER FOR SANITARY FOOD CONVEYING

Whether your application calls for belt conveyors, vibratory conveyors, or a custom combination of both, PFI designs and manufactures sanitary conveying systems that keep your product safe and your operation running smoothly.

Contact us today to discuss your application and explore the right conveying solution for your plant, or use the links below to learn more about our conveyors.

Explore Belt Conveyors Explore Vibratory Conveyors

Jars of peanut butter moving on an automated conveyor system.

How Automated Conveyors Improve Food Processing Efficiency

Written by Howard on August 13, 2025.

As a food processing manager, you’re always looking for ways to improve operational efficiency, maintain product quality, and meet safety standards. Challenges like production bottlenecks, waste, and manual labor are part of the daily grind, but they don’t have to hold your facility back. Automated conveyor systems offer a practical way to streamline processes, reduce labor costs, and enhance productivity, allowing you to keep things running smoothly and efficiently at every stage of your operation.

To help overcome these common challenges, automated conveyor systems offer a range of solutions that enhance material flow, minimize downtime, and maintain product integrity. Let’s dive into how each conveyor type can help address these needs and transform your food processing lines.

BELT CONVEYORS: RELIABLE, HIGH-VOLUME TRANSPORT

Belt conveyors are a cornerstone of many food processing operations due to their efficiency in moving large volumes of product. Here’s why they might be the ideal solution for your facility:

Efficient Bulk Transport. Belt conveyors quickly and reliably transport large volumes, ensuring smooth product flow and eliminating bottlenecks.
Easy Integration. Integrate belt conveyors seamlessly into your existing processing lines with minimal disruption.
Versatile Formations. Available in horizontal/flat-bed, Z/incline, vertical, and curved configurations, giving you the flexibility to fit a wide range of applications and plant layouts

Explore belt conveyors →

HORIZONTAL MOTION CONVEYORS: GENTLE HANDLING OF DELICATE PRODUCTS

When transporting fragile or seasoned products, maintaining their integrity is crucial. Horizontal motion conveyors provide gentle handling that keeps delicate items intact:

Protect Product Integrity. Move products gently and safely, minimizing breakage and preserving coatings.
Controlled Movement. Products move smoothly forward and back, ideal for fragile items.
Adjustable Speeds for Precision. Quick stop/startand back-and-forth direction for tasks like feeding multiple lines or temporary storage optimizes flow and yield.

Explore horizontal motion conveyors →

BUCKET ELEVATORS: OPTIMIZE VERTICAL SPACE AND THROUGHPUT

If space is limited in your facility, bucket elevators can effectively utilize vertical areas, freeing up valuable floor space and enhancing productivity:

Maximize Vertical Space. Lift products vertically, ideal for plants with limited horizontal space, moving products efficiently to mezzanines or elevated processing stages.
Gentle Product Handling. Bucket elevators ensure careful transport, significantly reducing product degradation even at high throughput volumes.
Increase Productivity. Optimize your workflow and facility layout by streamlining vertical product transfers between processes.

Discover our bucket elevator options →

VIBRATORY CONVEYORS: MULTI-FUNCTIONAL AND LOW MAINTENANCE

Vibratory conveyors go beyond simple product transport, allowing you to perform multiple processing tasks simultaneously and efficiently:

Versatile Value-Added Operation. Handle tasks such as screening, sorting, spreading, laning, and dewatering within a single conveyor system.
Minimal Maintenance. Fewer moving parts mean easier cleaning, minimal maintenance, and greater reliability.
Enhanced Efficiency. Increase throughput and reduce equipment complexity by integrating multiple processes into one conveyor.

Explore vibratory conveyors →

HOW AUTOMATED CONVEYOR SYSTEMS IMPROVE FOOD SAFETY AND PRODUCTIVITY

Building on the belt, vibratory, horizontal-motion, and bucket solutions outlined above, an integrated conveyor network delivers three high-impact wins:

Enhanced Food Safety. Food-grade stainless frames, open designs, and tool-less belt removal reduce harbor points and keep hands off product—dramatically lowering contamination risk.
Consistent Quality. Uniform belt speeds, metered bucket discharge, and precision vibratory feeds hold weights, portion sizes, and coatings within spec, helping you avoid costly rework or recalls.
Higher Throughput. Continuous flow between prep, cook, cool, and pack stations eliminates manual hand-offs and keeps OEE high, even during multi-shift production.

COMMON CONCERNS ABOUT CONVEYOR AUTOMATION IN YOUR FACILITY

As you evaluate the potential for conveyor automation in your plant, it’s important to consider some common concerns that might arise. Let’s take a closer look at a few of these:

INITIAL INVESTMENT & ROI

Conveyors aren’t a nice-to-have; they’re the backbone that lets every other machine run. While there is still capital outlay, most food plants budget for conveyors as standard line equipment, and a well-built system will operate for years with only modest parts change-outs. The real financial question is which conveyor mix (belt, vibratory, bucket, etc.) delivers the best long-term ROI through higher throughput, easier sanitation, and lower unplanned downtime.

INTEGRATION WITH EXISTING SYSTEMS

One challenge you might face is ensuring that new conveyors will work well with your existing equipment. Fortunately, modern automated systems are designed for compatibility, making it easier to integrate them into your current setup without major disruptions. By working with experienced vendors, you can design a solution that fits seamlessly into your existing line.

ONGOING SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE

Modern conveyor lines are largely set-and-forget—once tuned, they run with minimal operator input beyond periodic belt or parts change-outs that might be months (or years) apart. A reputable supplier will still give your team a quick orientation and clear documentation, plus phone or on-site support when you do need to swap wear parts or fine-tune a drive. For day-to-day production, however, conveyors demand far less attention than most automation technologies.

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR IMPLEMENTING CONVEYOR UPGRADES

Conduct a Thorough Needs Assessment. Map choke points, sanitation pain areas, and labor-intensive transfers before specifying equipment.
Collaborate with Conveyor Experts. Share product specs and growth plans so engineers can right-size belt widths, bucket volumes, and drive horsepower.
Validate Hygienic Design. Require compliance with AMI, USDA, or 3-A standards and review drawings before sign-off.
Plan for Ongoing Maintenance. Stock key spares (belts, bearings, sensors) and schedule quarterly inspections to lock in uptime.
Stage the Roll-out. Install new modules during planned shutdowns or parallel-line trials to keep production flowing.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: THE FUTURE OF YOUR FOOD-PROCESSING FACILITY

Automated conveyor systems sit at the heart of modern food production—reducing manual labor, ensuring consistent product flow, and supporting the highest sanitation standards. If bottlenecks, space constraints, or stricter safety goals are on your radar, a tailored blend of belt, vibratory, horizontal-motion, and bucket technologies can move you forward.

Talk with one of our conveyor engineers to explore the best solution for your plant.

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A customized food conveyor system with a dumper increases efficiency and food and worker safety

Top Considerations for Customizing Food Conveyor Systems

Written by Kimberly on July 1, 2025.

Your food conveyor system sits at the heart of your food processing operation, seamlessly connecting the different parts of your process and efficiently moving product between them while maintaining hygiene and protecting product integrity. It’s a critical part of your production.

Why take a chance, then, on standardized, off-the-shelf conveyor equipment that’s not built with your precise needs and operational goals in mind? At best, you’ll end up with sub-par connectivity and less efficient material flows. At worst, you risk damaging expensive equipment or compromising the quality and safety of your product.

If you’re serious about producing high-quality food at scale, then investing in fully customized conveying equipment from a reputable, specialized provider is essential.

This guide explains how to customize food conveyor systems by outlining the key factors that influence design and decision-making.

These considerations include:

Industry requirements
Application requirements
Product characteristics
Throughput demands
Environmental considerations

Each of these factors plays a role in shaping an effective conveyor customization strategy.

1. INDUSTRY REQUIREMENTS

Customized conveyor design begins with a clear understanding of the regulatory requirements your equipment must meet, or ideally, exceed. These include sanitation and cleanability standards, as well as safety and ergonomics..

SANITATION AND CLEANABILITY

Specific requirements vary by segment, but include regulations from the USDA, GMA, BEMA, and FSMA. The most stringent regulations apply to processes involving raw meat, dairy products, and ready-to-eat products. These standards are especially important for ready-to-eat (RTE) foods, which do not undergo further cooking or processing before consumption. As a result, sanitary conveyor systems used in RTE environments must meet the highest hygiene and design standards to prevent contamination.

As the leading manufacturer of food-handling conveyors, PFI equipment meets and exceeds all applicable regulations. We prioritize food safety in all design decisions.

All our equipment features:

Open-frame, modular design for faster, easier cleaning
Sloped surfaces to prevent liquid buildup
Smooth welds and minimal joints to prevent bacteria buildup
Removable, fully washable, food-grade plastic belts
Toolless belt removal to prevent bacteria-harboring scratches
Stainless steel (304 or 316) construction

Depending on the application, PFI will also often recommend:

Clean in Place (CIP) systems and belt scrapers for belt conveyors in certain applications like dough/bakery
Vibratory and horizontal motion conveyors, where applicable, for their washdown pans and ease of cleaning

SAFETY AND ERGONOMICS

The health and safety of your staff are essential.All equipment should meet the relevant OSHA regulations governing safe and ergonomic design.

Here, PFI’s open-frame designs with minimal maintenance reduce strain and limit the possibility of injury to your personnel. Depending on the system, our equipment is also built to include:

Additional guarding around moving parts
Emergency stop mechanisms
Non-slip catwalks to access our machinery

For PFI, food safety and hygiene are more than just a box to check. They’re at the forefront of our design process.

2. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Every conveyor system should be built to meet the specific physical and functional demands of your application, from integration and scalability to material handling.

FOOTPRINT

Your production line needs to fit into the available plant space and work around obstacles that cannot be moved. That can mean long conveyor runs, tight turns, or moving product vertically between levels. You’re unlikely to find an off-the-shelf conveyor system that meets all your needs.

PFI offers curved belt conveyors and elevating/vertical solutions to accommodate any floor plan. Talk to us about your specific challenges early in a project to avoid bottlenecks and poor integrations.

INTEGRATION

Your conveyors need to integrate seamlessly with infeeds and outfeeds for all the otherequipment on your lineto ensure precise timing, spacing, placement, and alignment of products, and to prevent jams, bottlenecks, or spillage. We consider a variety of factors, including:

Equipment dimensions: height, width, discharge points
Production specs: volume, rate, application
Zone: product considerations and make-up, requirements

Food processors are also rapidly adopting increasingly automated systems. Conveyors play a central role in feeding and taking away products from automatic processing equipment and robotic systems.

PFI designs conveyors to integrate directly into automated lines, with support for PLC-controlled coordination and line-wide communication. We can even build conveyors directly into automated systems at the design stage.

FLEXIBILITY

In today’s fast-moving food industry, processing lines must adapt quickly to recipe or product changes to keep up with shifting market demands, without requiring a major overhaul. If you anticipate changing product types or packaging formats, your conveyor can be built to accommodate this with quick-change belts, adjustable guides, and versatile frame designs.

SCALABILITY

Working closely with an experienced partner to plan your conveyor solution allows you to plan for increased production by building additional throughput capacity. For example, you may wish to install wider conveyor belts or faster-running conveyor systems than you currently need.

MATERIAL HANDLING

Conveyors do more than move materials from A to B—they may also need to accumulate, separate, or reorient items in transit. At PFI, conveyors are seen not just as equipment for transferring product between processing stages, but as a value-added part of the production process itself.

Depending on your operation’s needs, we can build equipment that manipulates foodstuffs in motion, eliminating the need for additional machines. These processing-in-motion customizations include:

Repositioning and aligning product
Screening, spreading, grading, and laning loose granular foods
Dewatering or shaking washed, dipped, or fried foods
Adding toppings or coatings

Unlike standardized handling solutions, fully customized conveyors can incorporate diverting gates, servo-driven transfers, and other features to add, separate, or sort your product as needed.

3. PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

The physical properties of your product directly influence the design of your conveyors, limiting the usefulness of off-the-shelf models. Instead, belt type, frame material, and layout must all be carefully selected to maintain product quality and processing efficiency.

SIZE, SHAPE, AND FRAGILITY

Products that are irregular, lightweight, or delicate, like pastries or cut fruit, require gentle handling. Powders, grains, or mixed items like cereal, snacks, or pasta must be moved without crushing or separation. Sticky products such as doughs need non-stick surfaces and scrapers for smooth transfer.

Not sure which solution fits your product? PFI handles all types of food with specialized conveyor systems designed for your unique needs. We’ll help you decide what belt, bucket, horizontal motion, and vibratory design conveyors are best for your product and customize them to meet your specific application.

MOISTURE, OIL, OR SUGAR CONTENT

Sticky, wet, or oily products can cause buildup, slippage, or contamination if a conveyor isn’t properly specified for its task. PFI offers drip pans, food-safe belting materials, and sanitary finishes that resist sticking and are easy to clean.

Our vibratory conveyors are particularly well-suited for handling washed, dipped, or oily foods, allowing them to be dewatered or drained in transit.

4. THROUGHPUT DEMANDS

Throughput is one of the most important design variables in food processing. Your conveyor system must move the right amount of product at the right speed without compromising safety, efficiency, or product integrity.

VOLUME AND SPEED OPTIMIZATION

Throughput is determined by the combination of your conveyor’s volume (its width) and the speed at which your conveyor can work with other equipment on the line. Every conveyor has to balance maximum line speed with its carrying capacity to support safe, economic, and sustainable operations.

Any plant manager wants to increase throughput, but relying on a standard, off-the-shelf conveyor can limit options and cause excessive wear if not used as intended. This often leads to costly downtime for repairs or premature equipment replacement.

At PFI, we build balanced conveyors tailored to your specific volume, speed, conveyor width, product specs, and production goals. We collaborate with you to determine peak performance requirements and deliver a solution that operates efficiently at maximum capacity.

MANAGING LINE SPEED

Throughput is ultimately limited by the handling speed of upstream and downstream equipment. Your conveyor is the most flexible part of the process and should compensate for uneven or changing production rates between line components.

Many of our conveyors feature advanced variable frequency drives, allowing you to adjust line speed in real time. With flexible vibratory and horizontal motion conveyors, we design lines that can “absorb” faster production, so you don’t have to stop the entire line if there’s a slowdown downstream.

PRODUCT YIELD

Balanced production means your line is optimized to handle your product’s specific characteristics at peak speed, minimizing spills and product damage. This boosts efficiency, reduces downtime for cleanups, and helps maintain product quality and integrity.

COST EFFICIENCIES AND RETURN ON INVESTMENT

Running your line safely at higher speeds increases efficiency across your operation. When that performance is sustained, it leads to a stronger return on investment. While customized conveyors may cost more upfront than off-the-shelf options, their ability to deliver higher throughput with less waste and downtime pays off in the long run.

5. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

The conditions surrounding your conveyor are a key factor in the customization process. At PFI, we understand that conveyors often operate in less-than-ideal environments, and we engineer them to perform reliably despite those challenges.

TEMPERATURE EXTREMES

Chilled and frozen food facilities require equipment that can withstand cold environments without warping, seizing, or failing. On the other hand, bakeries and cooked food operations can expose conveyors to high heat and grease. PFI selects materials, finishes, and components that resist temperature-related wear and maintain performance over time.

HUMIDITY AND WASHDOWN CONDITIONS

Frequent washdowns demand corrosion-resistant materials and hygienic design. Our stainless steel components and tough food-safe belting are built to stand up to moisture, caustic cleaners, and high-pressure rinsing without degrading.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

With energy costs on the rise, efficiency matters more than ever. Our conveyor systems use energy-efficient drives that minimize power consumption without compromising performance. Designing your line layout from the ground up also improves overall efficiency, reducing total cost of ownership and supporting your sustainability goals.

TAILORED CONVEYORS FOR LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE

PFI Conveyors has more than 60 years’ experience designing, configuring, manufacturing, and supporting high-quality conveying equipment with our customers’ best interests at heart. Today, we remain the leading manufacturer of food-grade sanitary conveyor systems, trusted by some of the world’s biggest food brands.

At PFI, we believe there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the complexities of any food-handling challenge. That’s why all of our equipment is fully customized by our expert designers, engineers, and fabricators. We believe in delivering and supporting conveying systems that make it easier for you to achieve your production goals.

Our customized, long-lasting solutions ensure you don’t have to adjust your operations to fit our systems. Instead, we start with proven standard designs and adapt them to meet the demands of your application, footprint, production goals, and long-term vision.

Contact us to learn more about how we can help you solve your food conveying challenges with expertly tailored solutions, or click below to learn more about our range of sanitary food conveyors.

Explore Our Food Conveyors

How Design Impacts Sanitary Conveyor Safety, Efficiency & Compliance

Written by Kimberly on May 19, 2025.

In food processing, reliable cleaning protocols are non-negotiable. Every plant has them, and every sanitation team knows the drill. But even with the most experienced crew and best SOPs, cleaning effectiveness often hinges on something that’s less talked about: the design of the equipment itself.

When conveyors are hard to clean, everything suffers: food safety, shift timing, labor resources, and audit readiness. That’s why at PFI, we design sanitary conveyors that perform well on the line and can be cleaned quickly, thoroughly, and consistently.

WHY CLEANABILITY STARTS WITH DESIGN

Processors don’t struggle because they don’t know how to clean. They struggle when equipment design makes proper cleaning difficult, time-consuming, or inconsistent.

Flat surfaces, hollow tubing, difficult-to-remove guarding, and tight, inaccessible corners all create sanitation bottlenecks — and they’re more common than many OEMs care to admit. Even when protocols are followed to the letter, designs like these can undermine cleaning outcomes, turning sanitation into a time-consuming, risky process.

By contrast, conveyors designed with sanitation in mind reduce reliance on perfect human execution. They create repeatable, faster, and more effective outcomes — and that makes all the difference.

WHAT GOOD SANITARY DESIGN LOOKS LIKE

The best cleaning outcomes for food processing lines are engineered upstream. At PFI, we’ve refined every detail to ensure that cleaning, validation, and maintenance are seamless, not a scramble. Examples include:

Open-frame designs improve visibility and access during washdowns
Sloped framework helps water drain completely, minimizing the risk of pooling and bacterial growth
Designs without hollow tubing and minimal flat surfaces, both of which are notorious harborage points
Tool-less maintenance where possible

Even elements like guarding and component access are reimagined. Instead of requiring tools or disassembly manuals, our conveyors feature tool-less belt lifts, flip-up guards, and quick-disconnect components — because sanitation windows are short and labor demands are high.

Where needed, we integrate clean-in-place (CIP) systems and belt scrapers to automate some of the most time-intensive parts of cleaning. It’s all designed to support your team — not slow them down.

TIME, LABOR, AND RISK: THE HIDDEN COST OF POOR DESIGN

Every extra minute spent cleaning is a minute lost to production. Multiply that across multiple shifts, machines, and changeovers, and the true cost becomes clear.

Hard-to-clean conveyors require more downtime, more labor, and more rework. Worse, they increase the chance of failed swab tests, missed residue, and food safety risks that aren’t always caught until it’s too late.

Compare that to a conveyor system that’s engineered for sanitation. Cleaning cycles are faster. Labor is reduced. Microbial validation becomes simpler. And because the design supports compliance, your food safety teams can work more confidently.

DESIGNED FOR VALIDATION AND AUDITS

It’s not just about how clean your equipment looks. It’s about how clean it tests. Swab testing is one of the biggest pressure points for food safety managers. When conveyors are hard to access or include hidden surfaces, it becomes more difficult to confirm cleanliness and more likely that issues will arise during audits.

PFI conveyors are built to make validation easier. With accessible product contact surfaces, polished welds, and minimal harborage points, sanitation crews can work faster — and swab testing becomes more consistent. We design to meet or exceed FSMA, USDA, and AMI guidelines across industries, including meat, dairy, produce, bakery, snacks, and pet food.

A LOOK AT CONVEYOR TYPES AND THEIR SANITARY FEATURES

Every conveyor style brings its own sanitation challenges. Our designs are tailored to meet them head-on.

Belt conveyors, for instance, often require disassembly to access rollers, frames, and underside areas. PFI belt systems are built with tool-less belt lifts, sloped support structures, and optional belt scrapers that reduce cleaning time without compromising access.

Vibratory conveyors (already one of the easiest systems to sanitize) are enhanced by PFI’s fully welded pans and open architecture. No belts, minimal moving parts, and optional pan-lift designs mean faster, more reliable sanitation.

Horizontal motion systems like our PURmotion conveyor are ideal for fragile or seasoned products, and we’ve engineered them with reduced complexity and open-frame access, making cleaning and inspection intuitive.

For bucket elevators, where chains, buckets, and vertical housings create additional cleaning demands, we’ve implemented quick-change buckets, stainless construction, and open access around high-contact zones.

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT YOUR CONVEYOR SYSTEM

If cleaning feels like a constant battle, or if your swab tests are inconsistent despite a trained crew, your equipment may be part of the problem. At PFI, we design conveyors that are easier to clean, faster to validate, and built to support the standards your facility needs to uphold.

Talk to an engineer on our team to schedule a sanitary design consultation or explore how PFI equipment can strengthen your food safety performance.

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Resource Category: Blog