PFI Chosen for Its Ability to Perform and Deliver Across a Full Spectrum of Projects
ALGONA, Iowa, Oct. 21, 2025 – Today, PFI, a manufacturer of sanitary conveying equipment, announced that it has been awarded the Spirit of Excellence Award by its customer Hormel Foods. Suppliers selected for the award have demonstrated the highest levels of technical and customer service, innovative solutions and improvements over the past year.
“Hormel has confidence in PFI due to our great partnership and PFI’s customer dedication,” said Melanie Senaratne, Corporate Communications, Hormel. “Having access to all the brands under the Grote Company Family of Brands umbrella increases PFI’s value, as Hormel can also rely on PFI’s sister brands, like SPI Automation and ProFab.”
To qualify for the Spirit of Excellence Award for the year 2024, suppliers must maintain a minimum supplier rating index score of 92 throughout a 12-month period. PFI scored a 93.
PFI garnered points for its RTE design and attention to sanitation, as its machinery features no hollow tubing. Its performance across a full spectrum of projects, from design to fabrication to installation, was also noted. Maintenance and reliability were other factors in its selection.
“PFI is honored to once again receive Hormel’s Spirit of Excellence Supplier Award,” said Tom Vipond, Division General Manager, PFI. “Our thriving partnership with Hormel is a testament to our team’s dedication. I especially want to recognize team members Shane Peterson, Sales Manager, Frank Flores, Field Service Manager, and Jeremy Stover, Project Manager, who have gone above and beyond to deliver exceptional service to Hormel.”
About PFI
PFI brings more than 75 years of deep experience and time-tested food-conveying technology to every project and takes a consultative approach to solve any challenge, big or small. Decision-makers at food processing companies — from engineers to operations managers, food safety and maintenance managers — choose PFI for custom-configured conveying solutions that help them address supply chain issues, limited human resources, food safety, sanitation, cost, and long-term viability. Based in Algona, Iowa, PFI is part of the Grote Company Family of Brands.
