Lot Attendant

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, 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.

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.

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. The Huntington Facility was the first Truck & Van Equipment Showroom for Dejana, and is still in operation today.

Ten years later, in 1987, the growing company moved into a 35,000-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. Peter's son Andy became Vice President.

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.

In 2002, Dejana established Dejana Truck of Mid-Atlantic and opened this 23,000-square-foot facility on five acres property on Pulaski Highway in Baltimore, MD.

In 2005, Dejana expanded its product offering and began to manufacture its own line of cargo and dry freight bodies. This 80,000-square-foot facility became home for the new Dejana Cargo Van Body Equipment.

In the spring of 2007, Dejana opened Dejana Truck of Greater Philadelphia, located 11 miles northeast of Philadelphia in Cinnaminson, NJ.

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.

In July of 2013, Dejana established Dejana Truck Equipment of Pennsylvania. The facility in Red Hill, PA, primarily manufactures components for our Hub Drive and Cable Pulling Equipment.

On June 16, 2016, Dejana Truck Utility Equipment executed a formal agreement to become a Division of Douglas Dynamics, the parent company of Fisher & Western Snow Equipment. Dejana and Douglas Dynamics had working relationship for over 25 years.

In March of 2017, Dejana opened a brand new facility in Chalfont, PA. The new 35,000 square foot location has a 1,300 square foot truck equipment showroom, 12 manufacturing bays and two state-of-the-art paint spray booths. With full manufacturing & machining capability, Dejana moved the fabrication of the Cable Pulling equipment to the Chalfont location and closed the facility in Red Hill, PA.