Jessee Machine Works is a small, family-run business based in Chico, California. It is owned and operated by Evan and Heidi Laughridge.
The shop has gone through some changes over the years but the overall purpose has remained the same - build quality, easy to operate equipment that lasts.
Jessee Machine Works was originally established by John Jessee in the early 1940s. He opened the business as a machine shop. When his son Bill joined the family business in the mid-1960s there was a growing demand for orchard equipment as more and more farmers were growing walnuts and almonds. The Jessee's decided to transition from a machine shop to an orchard equipment fabrication shop to meet this demand.
In 1989, Garth Laughridge joined the business as co-owner with Bill Jessee until Bill retired in 1992. Garth's son Evan Laughridge grew up in the shop. Evan has been around orchards and orchard harvest equipment since he was a very little boy. He has worked fulltime at the shop since 2005 and his wife Heidi has been working in the office since 2010.
When Garth decided to retire in 2020, Evan and Heidi took over as Owners. The longstanding tradition of building quality equipment continues under Evan's skilled leadership. He brings his expertise into every product. We guarantee our work and pride ourselves on being available to our customers.