1
                                                                    Exhibit 23.1




                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No. 33-61893) pertaining to the Robbins & Myers, Inc. Employee Savings Plan
of our report dated May 11, 2001, with respect to the financial statements and
schedules of the Robbins & Myers, Inc. Employee Savings Plan included in this
Annual Report (Form 11-K) for the year ended December 31, 2000.




                                                         /s/  Ernst & Young LLP


Dayton, Ohio
June 26, 2001