The new Flexifam.2 dicer by FAM STUMABO is designed for small to medium-sized cheese processors. It offers greater efficiency, high cut quality, and simplified operation across a range of cheese applications, including mozzarella, and helps reduce the need for pre-cutting for a variety of product formats.
The global cheese market continues to expand, with industry estimates valuing it at USD 98.0 billion in 2025 and projecting it to reach USD 154.4 billion by 2034 (1) reflecting sustained demand across retail, food service, and convenience applications. Europe and the United States remain the largest and most mature markets, while countries such as China, Brazil, and India are driving new growth, supported by the rapid expansion of foodservice and changing consumption habits. Mozzarella, in particular, has become the most widely processed cheese type worldwide, driven by the global popularity of pizza and ready-to-eat formats, where consistent portioning and product performance are critical.
At the same time, dairy processors are operating under increasing pressure. Rising raw material and energy costs, labour constraints, and market volatility are forcing producers to focus more than ever on operational efficiency and margin protection. According to McKinsey & Company (2), technology is one of the primary levers identified by industry leaders to address these challenges and improve performance across the value chain. In this context, cutting performance becomes a critical control point in the process, where even small deviations can lead to measurable losses in yield and product quality.
A practical response to evolving cheese processing needs
In response to these evolving requirements, FAM STUMABO introduces Flexifam.2, a dicer designed to deliver consistent performance in demanding cheese processing environments, with a capacity of around 1,000 kg/h depending on the cut size.
The new model is an evolution of the industry-standard Flexifam 55, further refined to meet the needs of small- to medium-sized processors seeking a robust, easy-to-use solution that combines reliable cut quality with improved hygiene, simplified maintenance, and efficient operation in continuous production environments, supported by a 5.5 kW drive system.
“Processors today are under pressure to do more with less — less waste, less downtime, fewer skilled operators, and less margin for error.” What we see in the field is that cutting is often underestimated, yet it has a direct impact on profitability. With Flexifam.2, we wanted to offer a practical, accessible solution for small and medium processors who need reliable cut quality, easy sanitation, and low maintenance without complexity,” explains Thijmen Put, Product Manager, FAM STUMABO.
Addressing key processing challenges with practical design solutions
Cheese processors face a range of operational challenges, from maintaining consistent cut quality across variable products to reducing waste and avoiding unnecessary pre-processing steps. Flexifam.2 addresses these requirements through a combination of design features focused on performance and practicality.
Flexifam.2 cuts product in three steps — slicing, strip cutting and dicing — using fast-rotating knife spindles rather than forcing product through a cutting grid. A shear plate enables a very small tolerance between the crosscut knives and the shear edge, reducing friction and delivering clean, consistent dice with minimal fines across a wide range of cheese types and textures.
Variations in product size are accommodated by the large drum diameter — one of the largest in its category — enabling processors to feed larger formats without the need for pre-cutting. At the same time, a 5.5 kW drive system and precise knife positioning contribute to stable, repeatable output, even when processing products with varying texture or moisture levels.
The machine can process products up to 135 mm in diameter and 270 mm in length. It delivers dice sizes ranging from 3 to 15 mm.
Flexifam.2 is particularly well-suited to mozzarella processing, one of the most widely processed cheese types worldwide. Its large drum diameter accommodates the longer logs commonly produced by smaller and artisanal mozzarella makers, reducing or eliminating the need for pre-cutting. Thorough and efficient cleanability — a critical requirement in any dairy processing environment — is also central to the machine’s design.
In addition to mozzarella, it is also suitable for processing a wide range of cheeses, including Gouda, Emmental, cheddar, and other varieties. Beyond cheese, it is equally suited to a range of meat and poultry applications, including ham, bacon, pepperoni, and sausages, where the same combination of high power, cut quality, and ease of cleaning delivers comparable benefits.
Simplifying daily operations: hygiene, maintenance, and ease of use
Beyond cutting performance, processors also face day-to-day operational constraints related to cleaning, maintenance, and changeovers, all of which directly impact uptime and labour efficiency. Flexifam.2 has been designed to simplify these tasks through a series of practical improvements focused on ease of use and accessibility.
Cleaning is facilitated by a hygienic design that includes a stainless-steel washdown motor, full stainless-steel construction, and easy access to key areas of the machine, enabling operators to perform thorough sanitation more quickly. Maintenance interventions are also simplified, with improved access to the drive compartment and a more ergonomic design that enables faster component handling, reducing a two-person maintenance job to a single person.
In addition, the cutting system allows quick, straightforward tool changes that can be completed in just a few minutes, making it easier to switch between different cut sizes and product types with minimal downtime.
Designed for real-world cheese processing applications
Flexifam.2 is the result of a development process rooted in customer feedback and field experience. “It shows that we stay in contact with our customers, listen to their needs, and act on their feedback. Flexifam 55 is still very popular, but we knew there were changes that would make a real difference to existing and new users alike — and Flexifam.2 delivers exactly that,” says Thijmen Put, Product Manager, FAM STUMABO.
1. Global cheese market size and forecast: IMARC Group, Global Cheese Market Expected to Reach USD 154.4 Billion by 2034, 5 February 2026
2. Technology as a lever for dairy industry performance: McKinsey & Company, Dairy industry executives are pressured but optimistic for 2025, 28 May 2025