Jessee Machine Works

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.