ABOUT US
PRECISION SINCE 1957
From a single service station to a national leader in truck upfitting, Dejana delivers custom solutions built on a foundation of trust and quality.
1957 — THE BEGINNING
In 1957, after serving in the Marine Corps, Pete Dejana borrowed $500 dollars from his father to open a three-bay service station on Park Avenue in Huntington, Long Island.
Shortly thereafter, on a Sunday afternoon, a gentleman by the name of Mr. Al Kurt was driving with his family when his car broke down near the service station, and he came in to Pete for help. Pete brought the car back to the station and made the repairs while the family waited. When finished, Mr. Kurt expressed his deep appreciation and asked to settle the bill. Pete explained that he was a new business owner and asked merely for the opportunity to service his cars in the future.
Mr. Kurt explained that he was responsible for fleet maintenance for (what was then) New York Telephone and it wasn’t long before Pete was performing service and repairs on telephone trucks. Eager to get the business, Pete worked day and night repairing trucks as well as other mechanical equipment that gave the phone company trouble.
As the relationship developed, NY Telephone asked Pete if he would consider going beyond service and repair to actually build the new trucks they needed to their special requirements… Dejana Truck & Utility Equipment was born…
A LASTING LEGACY
From the first day, Pete Dejana established the business with a very strong commitment to customer service and satisfaction. One of his first customers was a woman named Mrs. Barton who proudly owned a brand new 1956 T-Bird and was adamant about how it was to be maintained. Very few people were allowed to even drive “Baby,” much less work on it, but Pete soon earned the privilege to be her mechanic. For years, Pete meticulously maintained the vehicle and was responsive to her every whim. After 20 years of service, Mrs. Barton needed regular medical care and the relationship faded as they often do.
In 1981 Pete was approached by an attorney representing Mrs. Barton, along with her four sons. It seems that one of her last wishes was that “Baby” be left to Pete.
Pete continues the maintenance on the T-Bird to this day, and it is a symbol of our commitment within the company.
A Network of Facilities
1977
The Huntington Facility
In 1977, Pete expanded operations and moved the business across the street from the service station to a 20,000 square foot facility at 743 Park Avenue in Huntington, NY.
1987
Corporate Headquarters, Kings Park, NY
Ten years later, in 1987, the growing company moved into a 30,000-square-foot facility on five acres of property in nearby Kings Park, NY, and established what is now Corporate Headquarters for Dejana Truck & Utility Equipment. Pete’s son Andy became Vice President.
1998
Smithfield, RI
In 1998, Dejana expanded off Long Island and opened a 35,000-square-foot facility on Farnum Pike in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Dejana Truck of New England was established.
2002
Baltimore, MD (Truck Equipment)
In 2002, Dejana opened this 23,000-square-foot facility on five acres property on Pulaski Highway in Baltimore, MD.
2005
Baltimore, MD (Cargo & Van Body)
In 2005, Dejana expanded its product offerings and began to manufacture its own line of cargo and dry freight bodies in this 80,000-square-foot facility. Our Rolling Mills Facility also provides ship-thru distribution for the Ford Transit Connect & Ram ProMaster City.
2007
Cinnaminson, NJ
Opened 27,000 square foot facility with showroom located 11 miles northeast of Philadelphia.
2012
The New Dejana Truck of New England
In the fall of 2012, Dejana closed the Farnum Pike location and built a brand new 45,000-square-foot facility on 19 acres, which is now the new home for Dejana Truck of New England.
2016
Dejana Becomes a Division of Douglas Dynamics
Purchased by Douglas Dynamics, the parent company of Fisher & Western Snow Equipment. The new agreement would allow Dejana to utilize the proprietary Douglas Dynamics Management System to drive cost savings and improve production performance.
2017
Chalfont, PA
Opened a new 35,000 square foot facility with showroom and full manufacturing & machining capability. In addition, the facility manufactures components for Dejana’s Hub Drive and Cable Pulling Equipment.
2017
Dejana Acquires Arrowhead Equipment, Inc.
A leading upfitter in the New York market, with two facilities located in Albany and Queensbury. The two additional locations will be Dejana’s eighth and ninth manufacturing locations, each with truck equipment showrooms for retail sales.
2017
Dejana Opens Kansas City Ship-Thru Facility
Dejana opens 90,000 square foot ship-thru facility in Kansas City, MO. The new facility is entirely underground in the Hunt Midwest Automotive Alley Subtropolois and will primarily install commercial van interiors as well as F150 upfits and accessories that will be shipped to dealerships throughout the United States.
2018
A New Home for Corporate Headquarters
After 41 years of service, Dejana closes the Huntington location and moves to a brand new 40,000 square foot facility next to the Kings Park location. The two buildings combined now offer 70,000 sq. feet of production space, a state-of-the-art showroom, and a new home for Corporate Headquarters.
Visit A Dejana Showroom
Stop by one of our seven showrooms to browse a wide selection of truck and van equipment, compare products side by side, and get expert guidance before you buy.
Credits & Accreditations
#1 U.S. Distributor
- Body & Equipment Company in the U.S. for Ford
- U.S. Distributor for Douglas Dynamics (Fisher & Western)
- U.S. Distributor for Knapheide
- U.S. Distributor for Rugby
- Northeast Distributor Sales for Leggett & Platt
Official Ship-Thru Partner
- Ford (Transit/F-150)
- Chevy (Express/Colorado)
- RAM (ProMaster)
Certified
- NTEA/MVP Certified
- QVM Certified