FB Chain marks 40 years of conveyor chain innovation

FB Chain is celebrating its 40th anniversary as a global leader in conveyor chain performance, marking four decades of innovation, technical leadership, and sustainability across a wide range of manufacturing sectors.

Founded in 1985 as a supplier to British forklift truck manufacturers, the UK-based company quickly broadened its offering from leaf chain to large pitch conveyor chain. Today, its engineered chain systems support manufacturing operations in over 50 countries, with key markets including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, paper, tissue, and textiles.

Strategic growth and innovation

FB Chain has consistently distinguished itself from bulk suppliers by focusing on engineered solutions, application-specific advice, and long-term cost reduction for its customers. A major milestone came in 2019 with the acquisition of BKC Products, which expanded the company’s capabilities to include full design, manufacture, installation and servicing of conveyor systems.

This acquisition also brought the RotaLube chain lubrication system into the FB Chain portfolio. Invented by David Chippendale, BKC’s founder and now a director of FB Chain, the RotaLube system addresses one of the leading causes of conveyor failure: ineffective lubrication.

“In all my years of experience, ineffective chain lubrication came up time and time again as the main cause of conveyor issues — excessive wear, unplanned stoppages, and product contamination — and I knew there had to be a better way of doing things,” said Chippendale.

The patented RotaLube system applies lubricant directly to the pivot points of the chain using a sprocket-shaped applicator, dramatically reducing both wear and oil consumption while extending component life.

Driving sustainability and reducing Scope 3 emissions

In 2024, FB Chain introduced the ECO Kit — a handheld version of the RotaLube system — offering precise lubrication for facilities with lower frequency requirements or space constraints. The innovation supports FB Chain’s broader commitment to sustainability, helping customers reduce waste, improve uptime, and cut Scope 3 emissions by optimising the performance of purchased components across their supply chains.

Peter Church, managing director at FB Chain, said: “We’re not just celebrating our past, but also laying the groundwork for the future. We’re committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in conveyor technology in terms of efficiency, reliability and sustainability.”

The company is continuing to invest in R&D and customer partnerships to meet evolving industry needs, with a focus on smarter systems that support cleaner, more efficient manufacturing environments.