Meet the Engineers Who Ensure Quality at BFM®

At BFM^®, engineering excellence is at the heart of what we do—and this International Women in Engineering Day (June 23), we’re proud to shine a spotlight on three exceptional engineers whose technical expertise and dedication are helping us drive product quality and sustainability.

Hailing from three different continents, Fernanda Neiva, Lana Zhuchkova, and Qi Zhu also bring a truly international perspective and a diverse range of engineering experience.

Championing Excellence for BFM^®

A qualified process and production engineer, Fernanda Neiva is BFM^®’s head Production & Quality Improvement Engineer, and she has a pivotal role across our entire procurement, production and quality control process.

Her engineering background began in her native Brazil, and she has extensive industry experience, having worked in dairy, frequency control, and aviation.

Whether it’s tweaking tolerances or working on production process improvements, Fernanda has made a huge impact on BFM^®’s production efficiency and quality control since joining the company 3 years ago.

Sustainability has also been a key focus for Fernanda “We know our products help our customers drastically reduce waste, and I’m always looking for ways our team can minimise the waste and maximise efficiencies across our entire production process."

From Aircraft Engineering to Flexible Connectors

Originally from Russia, Lana Zhuchkova holds a Master’s degree in Aircraft Engineering, focusing on production quality control and technological equipment design. Her experience spans precision testing, quality inspection, and technical assembly, much of it gained through her multifaceted role at a leading automotive component manufacturer.

Since moving into the BFM^® environment, Lana has applied her deep understanding of engineering principles and quality assurance to product testing, measurement, and functional evaluation.

Her methodical approach and passion for quality make her an essential part of our engineering team.

Science-Backed Quality Control

A microbiologist by training, Qi Zhu holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Bio Pharmacy), a Master of Science in Microbiology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Food Science. Coming originally from China, Qi built her quality control expertise in New Zealand’s wine industry, where she performed meticulous lab work, from HACCP audits to microbiological testing, helping maintain the highest quality standards in food-grade production.

At BFM^®, Qi plays a critical role in our quality assurance systems. Her laboratory background brings a structured and analytical mindset to her work, whether it involves testing materials, conducting inspections, or verifying compliance with international standards.

Her commitment to accuracy ensures that BFM® products continue to meet the rigorous hygiene demands of industries such as food, dairy, and pharmaceuticals.

Celebrating Women Engineers

Fernanda, Qi, and Lana represent the breadth of talent and global experience that combine to make BFM® a leader in flexible connector technology.

Their stories highlight the critical contributions women make across every aspect of engineering—from product testing to compliance and continuous improvement.