Thunder Creek News

Best practices and industry news for those who maintain off-road machinery.

Thunder Creek Equipment - Industry News

News from the Thunder Creek dealer network and beyond.


LDJ Manufacturing, Inc. Transitions to 100 Percent Employee Ownership

Pella, IA — LDJ Manufacturing, Inc. — manufacturer of growing agricultural and construction brand Thunder Creek Equipment — has transitioned 100 percent of its ownership to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). While the business will continue to operate as it is today with existing leadership, the transition to an ESOP provides an opportunity for the employees to be more invested in the success of the company and rewards team members with additional long-term retirement benefits.

USDA Officials Tour New Thunder Creek Equipment Expansion at Iowa Manufacturing Plant

Pella, IA – Thunder Creek Equipment and its parent company LDJ Manufacturing, Inc. were honored to host officials from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) at its newly expanded manufacturing plant in Pella, Iowa on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. The company added more than 25,000 square feet of new manufacturing space to handle growth in demand for its products in the construction and agricultural sectors — made possible by a $1.5 million loan through the USDA Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDLG) and the Pella Cooperative Electric Association (PCEA).

Thunder Creek Equipment Names Ben Cox as President

Pella, IA – Thunder Creek Equipment and its parent company, LDJ Manufacturing, have appointed Ben Cox as the company’s president. Cox previously spent more than three decades at Pella Corporation, the central Iowa-based building products manufacturer.

Multi-Tank Upfit Expanded to RAM Chassis, New Heated DEF System

Thunder Creek Equipment, in response to extensive positive feedback on its Multi-Tank Upfit Platform, has re-launched the product on a Dodge RAM chassis, while also adding an optional heated Diesel Exhaust Fluid handling system to meet the needs of customers in colder climates.

Vaughan Equipment Named Official Thunder Creek Equipment Dealer

Thunder Creek Equipment and Vaughan Equipment today officially announced the Fairfield, Illinois-based heavy equipment dealer will be an official Thunder Creek distributor, serving the agricultural, construction, tractor/trailer, marine and oil field industries in southern Illinois and Indiana, as well as western Kentucky.

Design Improvements to Popular Models

Earlier this year, we released a series of improvements that improve operation and durability of our most popular trailer models.

Thunder Creek Celebrates 10 Years

In 2009, Loren and Jean Van Wyk and two of their sons, Luke and Chad, were operating two businesses: a family farm (LDJ Farms) and steel fabrication business (LDJ Manufacturing).

Farm Progress Show 2018

We are busy packing up for the nation’s largest outdoor farm event. We’re bringing a one-of-a-kind FST Series Trailer with us, along with our best deals, giveaways and even hosting a special guest.

Upcoming Ag Events

In the coming months, we'll be loading up the latest Thunder Creek fuel trailers and DEF handling systems (along with some pretty good promotions and give-aways) to travel the Midwest. We'll meet with our agricultural friends at several trade shows as well as Beck's events.

  • 1
  • 2