M6201 - Flour milling

Operational Details
Flour mills differ from feed mills in that the process in a flour mill is somewhat more involved. Both are involved in handling grain and are involved in processing it into different products. Flour is for human, rather than animal consumption.

Wheat and rye, in particular, are initially cleaned and then processed, using a series of separators and aspirators. The grains are soaked in tempering bins and may or may not be bleached, depending on the type of flour being manufactured.

Grain is ground up into coarse particles and passed through a series of sifters, purifiers and reducing rollers to separate the bran and produce flour. After the flour is bleached and enriched, it is then conveyed to a load-out area where the flour is loaded in bulk, or separated and poured into paper or cloth sacks for shipment.

Most of the operator intervention in flour milling occurs at the initial receiving area, and also when the flour is packaged for shipment. Otherwise, machine operators oversee the processing by setting controls on computer panel boards, controlling and monitoring weights and measurements, and by using selective controls. The operator is also responsible for ensuring the mixing process includes the right formulation.

SIC Codes
000000528 - Flour mill