Crysteel Manufacturing, Inc.

	History In The Making

		Welcome to Crysteel Manufacturing, Inc. Founded in 1969, Crysteel has become one of the world's leading hoist, platform and dump body producers. With over 300 distributors worldwide including all 50 states, Crysteel is known for its product innovations and dedication to quality. Crysteel began in 1969 when Eldon and Helen Jones borrowed $25,000 and purchased machine tools for welding and steel fabrication. They then rented a small shop in Arlington, MN to produce Eldon's design for a truck hoist. In 1970, a Small Business Administration loan allowed Eldon and Helen to open a facility in Lake Crystal. It was then Eldon coined the name Crysteel (pronounced kris-teel) Manufacturing. The word "Crysteel" is a combination of crystal and steel. Things really took off after that. Here's a historical profile of Crysteel Manufacturing, Inc.

		1969 Lake Crystal Farm Equipment Company founded by Eldon and Helen Jones in Arlington, MN with a $25,000 loan

		1970 The Jones's open a 9,600 square foot facility in Lake Crystal, MN with a Small Business Administration loan. Eldon coins the name Crysteel Manufacturing 5 employees

		1973 Company increases production of the Lo-Boy conversion truck hoist Hydraulic cylinders in the works

		1974 Eldon appointed to the Board of Directors for the Truck Equipment and Body Distributors Association Grain Tipper product line begins to grow Crysteel Distributing, Inc. established

		1976 Crysteel expands its production space due to increasing sales and more distributors

		1977 Crysteel begins a campaign to promote the safe use of truck equipment and invites equipment inspection by OSHA

		1978 Crysteel's Combo-Hoist hits the market Grain Tipper production expanding again

		1979 Office space at Crysteel is doubled Crysteel celebrates its 10th anniversary

		1980 The first dump body goes into production as a companion for the Combo-Hoist

		1982 Crysteel upgrades to the latest computer technology both in the shop and in the office

		1986 Crysteel expands again, this time by 50,000 square feet. Expansion dedicated to dump body production. Roller-Combo, an improved version of the Combo-Hoist is introduced The Triple Tipper, 3-way dump body is the hit at the annual NTEA convention in New Orleans

		1987 A 9,600 square foot two-story office building is erected Open house held in Lake Crystal, MN for all national Crysteel distributors

		1988 The Marathon line of heavy duty telescopic front mounted dump body hoists are introduced

		1989 The Stingray hoist is introduced

		1990 Eldon retires as President of Crysteel, but remains Chairman of the Board

		1991 Helen Jones becomes President of Crysteel Manufacturing Inc. The conventional front mounted Turbo Hoist is unveiled

		1994 Crysteel celebrates its 25th Anniversary Helen Jones retires as President of Crysteel, but remains Secretary of the corporation Peter Jones takes over as President of Crysteel Manufacturing, Inc.

		1996 The Paradox Rox Box, "big brother" of the ParadoxBox hits the market

		1997 Crysteel awarded a $7 million contract with Freightliner Corp. to produce dump bodies for the US Government on the M917A project Fourth consecutive record sales year realized

		1998 Crysteel purchases a second facility in Fulton, NY. That plant is expected to double the company's production capabilities

		1999 Crysteel celebrates its 30th Anniversary. Trailer/Body Builders magazine features Crysteel in their July issue.

		2002 J-CRAFT, a regional manufacturer of truck equipment and accessories, is acquired by Crysteel Mfg. Located in Kimball, MN, J-Craft works direct with the end-users, a truck dealership, or with distributors in other states.

		2003 Crysteel introduces The Deuce at the annual NTEA convention in Atlanta. With the ability to dump to both the rear and the side, the Deuce quickly becomes an industry sensation.

		2004 Crysteel's Super Dump is introduced through a relationship with Silent Drive.

		2005 Truck Bodies & Equipment, International (TBEI) purchases Crysteel Mfg. TBEI joins Crysteel with Ox Bodies and Rugby Mfg. Together, these three first-class independent manufacturers provide "World-Class Precision & Performance in Truck Bodies & Equipment"
		2007 Crysteel has grown from 1 employee in 1969 to over 285 in 2006. But throughout all of the company's tremendous growth and success, one thing has remained constant, their commitment to building the world's best truck bodies and hoists.