PFI
PFI designs and manufactures custom-configured sanitary conveying and product handling equipment — belt conveyors, bucket elevators, horizontal motion conveyors, vibratory feeders, and dumpers — for industrial food processors across 12 verticals including bakery, meat, dairy, snacks, and produce. It is a subsidiary of Grote Company.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersAlgona, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What PFI does
PFI designs, manufactures, and services sanitary food-grade conveying and product handling equipment for industrial food processors. The company's portfolio spans 20 distinct products organized into five equipment categories: belt conveyors (Curveyor, Eleveyor, Horizontal Belt, Spreader, Troughveyor), bucket and incline conveyors (Bucket Elevator, PURlift), dumpers (Floor Load, Forklift, Goliath), horizontal motion conveyors (PURmotion), and vibratory conveyors and feeders (VIBRAflex II, EDF Feeder, MAGNEflex, Hopper Feeder, Distribution Conveyor System, Mix-Blend System). PFI also sells complementary systems including the Retractor (high-speed sorting), Storeveyor (inline bulk storage), Screw Conveyor, and Spiral Chute Conveyor. Equipment is custom-configured per customer layout and food product, with stainless-steel sanitary construction meeting BEMA, USDA, FSMA, and AMI standards. Notable proprietary technology includes the patent-pending PURmotion horizontal motion conveyor with sealed servo drive enabling instant start/stop, reversing, and constant feed rates, plus IP69k-rated components and an open-frame design. The company operates two US manufacturing facilities (Algona, IA and San Antonio, TX) and offers full design, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), installation, 24/7 technical service, and aftermarket parts.
PFI serves 12 food-processing verticals — bakery, candy and confectionery, cereal, dairy, frozen food, fruits and vegetables, meat/poultry/seafood, nuts, pasta, pet food, ready-to-eat, and snack food — through an enterprise direct field-sales model complemented by a network of regional sales partners across the US (Pacific Northwest, Southwest), Central America, South America (Argentina, Chile), and Asia Pacific (Australia, India). Each project is quote-based and multi-year, with revenue generated from custom hardware sales, design/testing/installation services, aftermarket parts, and ongoing technical service contracts. PFI was formed in 2017 from the merger of KOFAB (founded 1977) and Meyer Industries (founded 1945), and has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Grote Company since 2021, sitting alongside sister brands Vanmark, ProFab, SPI Automation, Grote Company, and McCabe's Mechanical Services within the Grote Company Family of Brands.
PFI firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PFI
- Legal name
- PFI
- Website
- https://pficonveyors.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- PFI designs and manufactures custom-configured sanitary conveying and product handling equipment — belt conveyors, bucket elevators, horizontal motion conveyors, vibratory feeders, and dumpers — for industrial food processors across 12 verticals including bakery, meat, dairy, snacks, and produce. It is a subsidiary of Grote Company.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PFI industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sanitary Food Processing Conveying Equipment
- NAICS
- Food Product Machinery Manufacturing (333241), Conveyor and Conveying Equipment Manufacturing (333922)
- SIC
- General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Conveying, Feeding & Material Handling for Packaging Lines (IMALAOAG)
Keywords
Where PFI is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Algona
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
PFI business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Custom Conveyor Equipment Sales: PFI manufactures and sells custom-configured sanitary conveying and handling equipment including belt conveyors, bucket elevators, horizontal motion conveyors, vibratory conveyors, dumpers, and associated systems. Equipment is custom engineered for each customer's application, layout, and food products.
- Aftermarket Parts & Service: PFI provides replacement parts including conveyor belts, elevator buckets and chain, stainless steel hydraulic cylinders, vibratory springs, as well as technical services including 24/7 support, field service, installation, training, and preventative maintenance.
- Design, Testing & Installation Services: Engineering and technical services including custom equipment design, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) at Algona facility, and installation services with onsite cutting, welding, and electrical integration.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom Equipment Configuration |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels5 records
PFI product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PFI designs and manufactures custom sanitary, food-grade conveying and product handling equipment for the food processing industry. The product portfolio includes belt conveyors, bucket and incline conveyors, horizontal motion conveyors, vibratory conveyors and feeders, dumpers, and specialized systems for accumulating, bulk handling, elevating, general conveying, merging and sorting, mixing and blending, and positioning. All equipment is custom configured to each customer's application and layout, manufactured to BEMA, USDA, FSMA, and AMI sanitary standards, and complemented by design, Factory Acceptance Testing, installation, aftermarket parts, and 24/7 technical service offerings.
Product overview
PFI is a manufacturer of sanitary food-grade conveying and handling equipment, offering a comprehensive portfolio of 20 distinct products including belt conveyors (Curveyor, Eleveyor, Horizontal Belt Conveyor, Spreader, Troughveyor), bucket elevators, incline conveyors (PURlift), dumpers (Floor Load Dumper, Forklift Dumper), vibratory conveyors and feeders (VIBRAflex II, EDF Feeder, MAGNEflex), horizontal motion conveyors (PURmotion), and specialized systems (Distribution Conveyor System, Mix-Blend System, Storeveyor, Retractor, Screw Conveyor, Spiral Chute Conveyor, Hopper Feeder). The product portfolio serves 12 food processing industries (Bakery, Candy & Confectionery, Cereal, Dairy, Frozen Food, Fruits & Vegetables, Meat/Poultry/Seafood, Nuts, Pasta, Pet Food, Ready-to-Eat, Snack Food) and performs 7 key applications (Accumulating, Bulk Handling, Elevating, General Conveying, Merging & Sorting, Mixing & Blending, Positioning). PFI also provides complementary services including design/testing/installation, technical service, and aftermarket parts. The company operates as part of the Grote Company Family of Brands alongside Vanmark, ProFab, SPI Automation, and McCabe's Mechanical Services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Bucket Elevator
- Curveyor
- Distribution Conveyor System
- EDF Feeder
- Eleveyor
- Floor Load Dumper
- Forklift Dumper
- Hopper Feeder
- Horizontal Belt Conveyor
- MAGNEflex
- Mix-Blend System
- PURlift
- PURmotion
- Retractor
- Screw Conveyor
- Spiral Chute Conveyor
- Spreader
- Storeveyor Inline bulk storage and discharge system with stainless steel bulk bin and belt conveyors to discharge 500-70,000 lbs. with control to avoid line disruptions.
- Troughveyor
- VIBRAflex II
- Design, Testing & Installation Services
- Technical Service
- Parts
Quantifiable outcome
- Equipment proven in food processing for decades with focus on long-term viability
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use PFI
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments12 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
PFI technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
PFI partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and regional.
- Grote CompanycorePFI was acquired by Grote Company in 2021, bringing together food equipment manufacturers with decades of experience. This acquisition allows PFI to provide more complete solutions to customers and capitalize on shared expertise. Grote Company is a family-owned manufacturer of food slicing and assembly equipment founded in 1972 by Jim Grote, now run by Bob and Jack Grote.
- VanmarkcoreVanmark is a leading manufacturer of industrial potato and produce processing equipment. As sister companies under the Grote family, they share expertise and provide complementary equipment solutions. Vanmark has over 60 years of experience and operates facilities in Iowa, Idaho, and India.
- ProFabsupportingProFab designs, fabricates, and supports industrial food processing operations with custom stainless-steel equipment, millwright services, and process piping. Specializing in poultry and meat industries, ProFab is located in Springdale, Arkansas and serves as an alternative for lower-sanitation applications.
- SPI AutomationsupportingSPI Automation is an automation, controls, and robotics integrator providing innovative automated solutions to optimize cost control and efficiency for food and beverage. Located in Sandy, UT and Salt Lake City, UT.
- McCabe's Mechanical ServicessupportingMcCabe's Mechanical Services designs, fabricates, and installs conveyor systems, catwalks, and more for the poultry industry in the Northeast United States. Recently acquired by the Grote family of brands.
- Columbia Food Machinery (CFM)regionalRegional sales partner representing PFI in the Pacific Northwest United States
- EPI Technical SalesregionalRegional sales partner representing PFI in the Southwest United States
- Southwest Equipment GroupregionalRegional sales partner representing PFI in the Southwest United States
- V&M IndustriesregionalSales partner for Central America and Mexico
- SOLEMPACKregionalSales partner for Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
- KENNER S.A.regionalSales partner for Argentina
- INTER CHILE LTDA.regionalSales partner for Chile
- NUPACregionalSales partner for Australia in the Asia Pacific region
- MTSFOODSregionalSales partner for India in the Asia Pacific region
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
PFI competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Heat and Control: Heat and Control manufactures processing, conveying, seasoning, and packaging equipment for snack food, meat, poultry, seafood, and other food industries. Highly comparable to PFI given the overlapping product lines (conveyors, vibratory feeders, bulk handling) and shared vertical focus.
- Key Technology (Duravant): Key Technology designs and manufactures digital sorting, conveying, and processing equipment for food processing. It overlaps directly with PFI in vibratory conveyors, horizontal motion conveyors, and food-grade handling for produce, nuts, and snack applications.
- Vanmark: Vanmark is PFI's sister company under Grote Company, manufacturing industrial potato and produce processing equipment (peeling, washing, cutting). Comparable as a Grote-family peer operating in adjacent food processing equipment categories, often co-sold with PFI.
- ProFab: ProFab is another Grote-family brand designing custom stainless-steel food processing equipment, millwright services, and process piping for poultry and meat plants. Comparable to PFI as a sister manufacturer serving overlapping sanitary food equipment customers.
Broad incumbents
- Bühler Group: Bühler is a global industrial food processing equipment leader with broad portfolios in grain, chocolate, and bakery. Comparable to PFI as a much larger incumbent offering overlapping handling/conveying/processing equipment for many of the same food verticals.
- GEA Group: GEA is a large global manufacturer of food processing and packaging equipment, including separation, homogenization, and conveying solutions. Comparable as a broad incumbent serving similar food processing customers with wider but less specialized offerings.
- JBT Corporation: JBT Marel offers food processing technology across proteins, dairy, ready meals, and beverage - including conveying and material handling systems. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose product lines overlap with PFI's sanitary handling focus.
- Marel: Marel is a global food processing equipment provider for meat, poultry, fish, and further processing. Comparable to PFI as a broad incumbent whose conveying and handling equipment serves many of the same protein and prepared food verticals.
- TOMRA: TOMRA's food division designs sorting, peeling, and processing equipment for produce, nuts, and proteins. Comparable to PFI for its presence in food processing lines and overlap in vibratory and conveying technologies for produce and nut handling.
- Middleby Corporation: Middleby owns a portfolio of commercial and industrial food equipment brands spanning cooking, processing, and material handling. Comparable to PFI as a multi-brand acquirer/incumbent whose portfolio includes conveying and processing assets adjacent to PFI's.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
PFI social profiles
Digital presencePFI compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
PFI financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PFI leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
PFI funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PFI M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PFI
What does PFI do?
PFI designs and manufactures custom sanitary, food-grade conveying and product handling equipment for the food processing industry. The product portfolio includes belt conveyors, bucket and incline conveyors, horizontal motion conveyors, vibratory conveyors and feeders, dumpers, and specialized systems for accumulating, bulk handling, elevating, general conveying, merging and sorting, mixing and blending, and positioning. All equipment is custom configured to each customer's application and layout, manufactured to BEMA, USDA, FSMA, and AMI sanitary standards, and complemented by design, Factory Acceptance Testing, installation, aftermarket parts, and 24/7 technical service offerings.
Is PFI a public or private company?
PFI is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was PFI founded?
PFI was founded in 2017. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is PFI based?
PFI is headquartered in Algona, United States, in the North America region.
How does PFI make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Custom Conveyor Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are aftermarket Parts & Service and design, Testing & Installation Services.
Who are PFI's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Heat and Control, Key Technology (Duravant), Vanmark and ProFab. Broad incumbents are Bühler Group, GEA Group, JBT Corporation, Marel, TOMRA and Middleby Corporation.
Does PFI have an API?
No public API is recorded for PFI.
What industry is PFI in?
PFI's product category is Sanitary Food Processing Conveying Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMALAOAG, Conveying, Feeding & Material Handling for Packaging Lines. Its NAICS code is 333241 and its SIC code is 3560.