The name BFI Automation stands for innovative, trendsetting and future-oriented technology. The in second generation owner-managed company was founded in 1973 in Ratingen by Dipl.-Ing. K.-H. Mindermann and managed by him until 1995. In the period from 1991 to 1999, the BFI Automation belonged pro rata to the RWE Group. According to a repurchase of the shares of company Dipl.-Ing. J. M. Mindermann undertook the management and leads the company since then with ever-increasing numbers of employees and business success. In 2004, the BST Solutions GmbH was founded, which is specialized in flame monitoring systems for industrial and domestic burners.

The BFI Automation Mindermann GmbH offers solutions for the industrial flame monitoring. Together with its sister company BST Solutions GmbH, the company covers the complete range of flame monitoring from domestic burners to industrial large combustion plants. Development, manufacture and final inspection of the entire device's program, are still located at the headquarters in Ratingen.

The company is today represented by sales and service offices in over 20 countries.
The BFI Automation possesses more than 20 patents in the field of flame monitoring. Here is the full range of flame monitoring, covered by basic research on methods to electronic circuits. The company also develops customized solutions and market-ready prototypes.

The product range offers for all combustion process the appropriate flame control with all relevant safety certificates. The system 3000 already meets since more than 25 years the current safety requirements according to SIL3. In November 2006, the SIL3-certification was made by TÜV Rhineland.