Maintenance Headaches Resolved with BFM® fitting
A leading British pet food manufacturer was struggling with frequent leaks, product loss, and lengthy maintenance caused by a 1.5m corrugated hose connecting its extruder to the dryer. After installing BFM® fitting with modular pipework, the company reduced downtime by nearly 90% and eliminated product loss—while achieving a cleaner, safer, and more efficient production process.
The Challenge: Leaking Hose and High Maintenance Requirements
The manufacturer, renowned for producing high-quality dry pet food for over 40 years, complies British Retail Consortium Global Standards (BRCGS) and has European pet food federation code of practice (FEDIAF) certification, ensuring the highest hygiene and safety levels.
However, their production setup required a long flexible connector due to a dogleg configuration between the extruder and dryer. Standard flexible connectors failed under negative pressure, forcing the team to use a heavy-duty corrugated hose.
This hose presented several challenges:
- Difficult to install and remove
- Poor sealing, prone to dust leaks
- Risk of contamination from product build-up
- Positioned 3m above ground, requiring elevated access for maintenance
As a result, the hose demanded monthly maintenance lasting up to two hours, consuming labour resources and increasing production downtime. Misaligned pipework also sometimes caused product deformation.
The Solution: BFM® Fitting with Modular Pipework
To resolve these ongoing issues, ProSpare’s specialist BFM® team recommended replacing the corrugated hose with BFM® connectors and modular stainless-steel pipework.
The new system included:
- Two BFM® Spigots welded onto existing pipework
- Quick-release BFM® Lipped Spigots on modular sections
- Ø300mm x 100mm long Seeflex connectors, snapped securely into place
This innovative design eliminated the need for jubilee clips, providing a dust-tight, tool-free connection.
The Results: Cleaner, Faster, More Efficient Operations
The benefits of installing BFM® fitting were immediate and significant:
- Downtime reduced by almost 90%: Monthly maintenance now takes just 15 minutes instead of two hours.
- Leak prevention: The dust-tight seal stops product loss and reduces contamination risks.
- Improved hygiene: Smooth internal surfaces eliminate crevices where product could collect.
- Better product flow: Airflow and transport efficiency improved, reducing product deformation.
- Simplified maintenance: Easy snap-fit connectors streamline handling, even at height.
The Engineering Manager summed it up: “BFM® fitting is easier to remove and reinstall, streamlining maintenance tasks and reducing downtime. It provides a tight, consistent seal, preventing product loss and ensuring a cleaner work environment.”
Why Pet Food Manufacturers Choose BFM® fitting
For this UK pet food producer, upgrading to BFM® fitting connectors transformed production. By solving leakage, hygiene, and downtime issues, the company now benefits from higher efficiency, improved product quality, and reduced maintenance demands.
BFM® fitting are proving to be the industry standard for manufacturers seeking to improve hygiene, streamline operations, and achieve reliable, dust-tight connections.
