The J-CRAFT brand had it's beginnings in 1978 - - originated by Eugene and Roxanne Dick as a company with a mere 6 employees.  The main focus of business at that time was related to the 'job-shop' type of fabrication and welding work.  This type of work often included items related to trailers and the trucking market.  With the growing necessity for a durable steel grain body in the farm/agriculture market at the time, J-CRAFT quickly established itself as a leading producer (& installer) of grain bodies throughout Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan.  

During this time period, the tow-able 'Grain-Cart' was also produced and distributed to the larger farm markets.  However, with the foresight of a decline in demand for products in the agricultural market (1980's), J-CRAFT began diversifying and expanding production and services into the construction, lumber, & utility markets. 

1998 marked the 20th anniversary of J-CRAFT.  A 2-day open house in the newly constructed paint facility celebrated this event.   Both days featured many informative displays by suppliers, whose products were sold/or represented by J-CRAFT, along with guided tours of the facility, displays of completed trucks, and a noon meal for all of the guests in attendance.

In June of 2002 J-CRAFT became a Division of Crysteel Mfg, Inc., managed locally by a team of 5 managers (General Mgr, Sales Mgr, Service/Parts Mgr, Planning Mgr, & Manufacturing Mgr).  The acquisition by Crysteel Mfg, Inc. thrusted J-CRAFT into the future with the backing of a parent company that possessed strength in national marketing, and systems management.  A stronger regional presence & market share were evident as a direct result of the merger. The Unique line of  J-CRAFT brand products continued to be sold, serviced, and installed at the Kimball, MN location, along with the hundreds of accessories and truck equipment manufactured by other OEM's.

February of 2005 brought the introduction of J-CRAFT's entirely new line of dump and conversion style hoists to the truck equipment marketplace. The Piranha series of dump hoists are NTEA certified for class 10 thru class 50 applications, and are available with or without subframes. The Diamond series of conversion hoists are NTEA certified for class D thru F applications, and are best suited for larger contractor dump bodies as well as platforms. These models of hoists were welcome additions to the classic J-CRAFT Type-V underbody and various telescopic hoist models.

December 2006 brought even more change, as J-CRAFT and Crysteel Mfg, Inc. were joined with Rugby Mfg, Inc., and OX Bodies, Inc. under the parent company of TBEI (Truck Bodies & Equipment International, Inc.). Combining resources, sharing technologies, and applying best practices principles, continued to be the focus of all facilities of this nationwide corporation, as it continued to grow. Later in the year, TBEI also aquired HEIL Truck Equipment and Hardee Truck Equipment to round out it's family of brands in truck equipment.

In April of 2007, the consolidation and reconfiguration of three TBEI facilities brought the J-CRAFT operations to the TBEI location in Lake Crystal, MN. Extensive capital improvements and implementation of productivity enhancements allowed for this consolidation, and also provides for more modern assembly lines in the truck upfitting process. The previously introduced hoist lines were also consolidated with the Rugby, Heil, & Crysteel brands.

Since the production of its first gravel dump body in 1982, J-CRAFT by TBEI has redesigned the 'basic' dump body several times, in effort to excel above the demands of the industry. Current production units are now offered in various configurations. The customer now has many choices in the ULTRA line of gravel bodies and MAGNA line of contractor bodies. Those choices range from such combinations as: the lower budget Gr-50 steels, Hy-brids of Gr-50 & AR steel combinations, Stainless & AR steel combinations, All stainless, All Aluninum, and All AR steel bodies.   The conventional 'square-type' gravel dump body and the popular Elliptical (shaped) body both utilize a crossmemberless understructure design.  TBEI is proud that the J-CRAFT brand is heavily established in both the municipal marketplace & the construction industry as being quality minded with services and support products that generally exceed customer expectations. J-CRAFT by TBEI continues to diversify it's product offerings and services, and by focusing on the "Direct to Market" sales of Installed Truck Equipment Packages, continues the efforts of suppling the best choices of products to the truck equipment markets.

Value, Integrity, and Performance (J-CRAFT's VIP promise) is a daily expectation, not only in the products manufactured & installed, but also with the people you, as a customer, deal with in our organization . Thank-you for visiting our website. Please visit with one of our sales staff upon your next need for equipment.