Tafco Equipment

What Tafco Equipment does

Tafco Equipment Co. is a privately held U.S. manufacturer of commercial truck bodies and hydraulic lift hoists, founded in 1963 in Blue Earth, Minnesota and operating under the Scott brand through primary subsidiary Scott Truck Bodies and Hoists, with Fibre Body as a wholly-owned composite sub-brand. The company's core technical platform centers on the Scott Level Lift hoist line (models LL-400 through LL-3000), which combines telescopic cylinders with a scissors-frame design for high torsional strength, plus protected safety IP (U.S. Patent No. 12404156 on dual pin interlock) and a 10-year limited warranty. The product catalog covers steel and aluminum bodies across grain, bulk material/ensilage, contractor, dump, landscape, and platform/stake configurations, sold across the U.S. and Canada through a network of more than 500 authorized dealers and via direct channels.

Tafco makes money primarily through one-time hardware sales of truck bodies and hoists, supplemented by upfitting/installation services it absorbed in-house in 2024 to relieve dealer overflow. Pricing is quote-based through dealers, with downloadable price sheets and an online hoist calculator; the company does not publicly disclose list pricing. Go-to-market blends channel partners (over 500 distributors including Monroe Truck Equipment, PTW, K&H Truckweld, and Cobalt), annual NTEA trade show product reveals, a company website with direct quote and contact options, and trade publication presence.

Tafco serves four primary verticals (agriculture, contractors/construction, landscaping/forestry, and municipal/government) plus equipment rental as a horizontal; named enterprise customers include Lowe's Rental (deployed via Monroe Truck Equipment) and Ford Motor Company (since 1985 as an approved vendor). Ownership transitioned in 2018 when the Ankeny brothers sold to Lee Finley, and the company continues to invest in capacity — a 2024 expansion added four new buildings — and in product launches unveiled at recent NTEA shows.

Name

Tafco Equipment

Legal name

Tafco Equipment Co.

Website

https://tafcoequip.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Tafco Equipment Co. is a U.S. manufacturer of commercial truck bodies and hydraulic Level Lift hoists under the Scott brand, selling through 500+ dealers across the U.S. and Canada to agriculture, construction, landscaping, municipal, and equipment rental customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Truck Bodies and Lift Hoists

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing (336211)

SIC

Truck & Bus Bodies (3713), Sheet Metal Work (3444)

akta.pro primary industry

Truck Body & Upfit Manufacturing (Box/Dump/Service/Refuse) (IMACAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Crane & Hoist Components (Wire Rope, Chain, Drums, Sheaves, Motors, Controls) (IMAHAJAK)

Keywords

• Truck body manufacturing
• Hydraulic lift hoists
• Agricultural truck equipment
• Dump body manufacturing
• Commercial truck bodies

Headquarters

HQ city

Blue Earth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Truck Body Sales: Sale of steel and aluminum truck bodies including dump bodies, contractor bodies, grain bodies, landscape bodies, bulk material bodies, and platform/flatbed bodies. Products are sold through dealer network and direct to end users. One-time hardware sale with various customization options.
2. Level Lift Hoist Sales: Sale of Scott Level Lift hydraulic hoists (models LL-400 through LL-3000) designed for various truck classes. Includes complementary power and PTO options. One-time product sale with accessory attachments.
3. Upfitting Services: Tafco expanded operations in 2024 into four new buildings including upfitting services to support dealer overflow. Provides installation and customization services for truck equipment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Tafco Equipment manufactures steel and aluminum commercial truck bodies (grain bodies, bulk material dump bodies, contractor bodies, landscape bodies, dump bodies, platforms, and city stake/stake sides) and Scott Level Lift hydraulic hoists (LL-400 through LL-3000 models) under the Scott brand. Products are sold through a network of 500+ authorized dealers across the United States and Canada, with direct sales also available via the company website and phone. The company also offers Fibre Body composite toppers and service bodies as a separate sub-brand.

Product overview

Tafco Equipment Co. manufactures steel and aluminum truck bodies and hydraulic lift hoists under the Scott brand, serving agriculture, construction, landscaping, and bulk material industries. The product portfolio centers on two core offerings: (1) Scott truck bodies including Grain Bodies, Bulk Material Dump Bodies, Contractor Bodies, Dump Bodies, Landscape Bodies, Platforms (aluminum and steel), and City Stakes/Stake Sides; and (2) Scott Level Lift Hoists ranging from LL-400 to LL-3000 models for Class B through Class L truck applications. Accessories include Power and PTO options, platform racks, cab shields, and a Hoist Calculator tool. The company also offers Fibre Body composite products as a separate sub-brand. All Scott hoists carry a 10-year warranty and the company operates from Blue Earth, MN with a network of over 500 distributors across the U.S.A. and Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Scott Truck Bodies and Hoists: Primary brand for aluminum and steel truck bodies, platforms, dump bodies, contractor bodies, landscape bodies, and Scott Level Lift hoists.
• Fibre Body

Products and services

• Scott Grain Bodies Steel and aluminum grain bodies for agricultural applications, with steel versions featuring 14-gauge corrugated steel sides and 10-gauge top rail, and aluminum versions offering 1 1/4" extruded aluminum floors with tube-frame construction. Standard lengths from 12'-24' with various wall heights. Sold to farmers and agricultural operations.
• Scott Bulk Material Dump Bodies Heavy-duty dump bodies designed for bulk material and ensilage transport. Steel versions feature 12-gauge steel skin with double-acting hydraulic high-lift end gates; aluminum versions offer lengths from 14'-26' with 62" wall heights. Sold to agricultural and construction operations.
• Scott Contractor Bodies Contractor truck bodies available in aluminum (Magnum, Scott-Lite, Scott-Lite Pro) and steel variants, ranging from 2-5 yard capacity with various lengths and widths, featuring fold-down sides and dual-acting tailgates. Sold to contractors, construction companies, and rental fleets.
• Scott Dump Bodies Dump bodies including Aluminum Magnum (2-3 yard), Aluminum Mega Magnum (6-7 yard), Steel 2-8 Yard (models 23, 45, 57, 68), and Stainless Steel 2-8 Yard options, featuring various crossmember designs and tailgate configurations. Sold to construction, agricultural, and municipal customers.
• Scott Landscape Bodies Landscape truck bodies in aluminum and steel with conventional stake or smooth exterior walls, standard lengths 9'-16' with 50" wall height, featuring two-piece rear doors and side access doors. Sold to landscaping and forestry service providers.
• Scott Aluminum Platforms Aluminum flatbed platforms including Magnum (9'-24'), Scott-Lite (7'-12'), Scott Hauler (8'-12'), and Small Truck Ranger (6'6" x 72"), featuring various crossmember designs, extruded aluminum floors, and optional rack kits. Sold to contractors, farmers, and commercial fleet operators.
• Scott Steel Platforms Steel flatbed platforms including Heavy Duty Structural (12'-26') and Standard Duty (9'-26') models, featuring structural steel channel crossmembers, various floor options (T&G Douglas fir, tread-plate, smooth steel), and bulkhead configurations. Sold to commercial fleet and contractor customers.
• Scott City Stakes / Stake Sides Removable stake body systems with 30" or 42" heights, compatible with various platform lengths, available in painted steel, aluminum, or poly board materials with 24" on-center stake spacing. Sold to commercial customers needing stake body versatility.
• Scott Level Lift Hoists LL-400 to LL-800 Hydraulic level lift hoists for Class B-F trucks (up to 18' bodies), featuring various cylinder bore sizes, mounting heights, and weight options. Includes subframe models and dual pin interlock safety feature (U.S. Patent No. 12404156). Covered by a 10-year warranty. Sold to commercial truck dealers and operators.
• Scott Level Lift Hoists LL-1000 to LL-3000 Heavy-duty twin telescopic cylinder hoists for Class G-L trucks (14'-26' bodies), featuring multiple moving stages (2-4), chrome cylinder tubes with z-seal construction, and operating pressures up to 3600 PSI. Covered by a 10-year warranty. Sold to commercial truck dealers and operators requiring heavy-duty performance.
• Power and PTO Options Complete power and PTO solutions including valve/tank combinations (140-561, 140-562, 140-563, 140-564), gear pumps (125-361, 125-362), electric over hydraulic units (130-205, 130-206, 140-759), and Chelsea PTOs and DewEze Underhood Hydraulic Kits. Sold as add-on configurations for hoist packages.
• Fibre Body (Fiber Truck Bodies) Composite/fiber truck bodies for toppers and service bodies, offered as a separate sub-brand (Fibre Body) providing lightweight alternatives to traditional steel and aluminum bodies. Available as Fibre Body Topper and Fibre Service Body variants.
• Hoist Calculator Online proprietary calculator tool to estimate hoist capacity requirements based on body type and mounting conditions. Free tool available on the Tafco website to help customers select appropriate hoist models.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products designed to likely outlive the truck chassis
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PTW (Pioneer Truckweld)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPioneer Truckweld offers full fabrication and manufacturing of dump bodies and truck upfits. They are an authorized dealer for Tafco products, providing installation and upfitting services for customers in their region.
• COBALT (Cobalt Truck Equipment)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecializing in truck upfits for mechanics trucks, lube trucks, utility bodies, platforms, vans, and more. Cobalt is a partner providing upfitting services for Tafco products.
• K & H TruckweldcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorK&H Truckweld offers full fabrication and manufacturing of dump bodies and truck upfits. Authorized dealer for Tafco products.
• BFXFIRE APPARATUSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry leader in manufacturing and supporting wildland trucks. Tafco has developed BFXFIRE BRUSH GUARD as part of their product line.
• REAL FLEET SOLUTIONSminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHelps businesses succeed by providing innovative, reliable, and tailored vehicle solutions. Partner for fleet solutions utilizing Tafco products.
• Monroe Truck EquipmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for Tafco. Handles installation and upfitting of Tafco bodies. Successfully installed hundreds of Scott Lite Contractor-Pro bodies for Lowe's Rental fleet.
• Frontline Truck BodiesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTruck body installation company in Lititz, PA. Installs Scott beds for customers.
• Stonewell BodiesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCustom body manufacturer in Genoa, NY specializing in bodies for Veterinarians and Farriers. Performs installation work for Scott truck beds.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Switch-N-Go: Manufacturer of interchangeable multi-body truck systems allowing a single chassis to swap bodies. Competes for similar fleet customers seeking flexibility in body usage; represents an alternative technology approach to Tafco's dedicated body product line.
• BrandFX: Manufacturer of lightweight composite truck bodies and toppers focused on reducing vehicle weight and increasing payload. Tafco's Fibre Body sub-brand competes directly in this composite body segment, making BrandFX a relevant emerging competitor.

Direct peers

• Knapheide: One of the largest North American manufacturers of truck bodies, platforms, and upfits serving agriculture, construction, utilities, and fleet markets. Directly comparable product categories (grain bodies, dump bodies, contractor bodies, platforms) and overlapping dealer channel structure make Knapheide Tafco's closest direct competitor.
• Reading Truck: Major manufacturer of work truck bodies, truck bodies, accessories, and van interiors serving contractors, service technicians, and fleets. Comparable body products (utility, dump, platform) and direct overlap in the contractor and municipal/utility segments place it in direct competition with Tafco.
• Auto Truck Group: Commercial upfitter and manufacturer of truck bodies, racks, and accessories serving fleets across North America. Comparable custom upfitting services and body products, with overlapping dealer/fleet customer base including municipal and contractor accounts.
• Monroe Truck Equipment: Truck equipment manufacturer and authorized upfitter that also produces its own bodies and hoists. Comparable product categories (bodies, platforms, hoists) and end markets, and is also listed as a Tafco dealer, indicating overlapping competitive and partnership dynamics.
• Crysteel Manufacturing: Manufacturer of dump bodies, hoists, and truck equipment focused on construction, agriculture, and material handling. Overlaps directly with Tafco's Scott dump body and Level Lift hoist product lines for similar end markets and distribution channels.
• Stahl (Truck Bodies): Manufacturer of truck bodies, service bodies, utility bodies, and specialty vehicles with comparable product breadth across contractor, municipal, and service fleet applications. Direct overlap with Tafco's steel contractor, dump, and service body lines and similar dealer-driven distribution model.

Broad incumbents

• Heil/TBEI (Truck Bodies & Equipment International): Diversified manufacturer of refuse, recycling, and specialty truck bodies under the Heil brand. A broader incumbent operating in the commercial truck body space with overlapping material handling and dumping applications relevant to Tafco's bulk material and dump body lines.
• Ford Motor Company (Commercial Vehicles): Major OEM of commercial trucks with which Tafco has historical vendor relationship (Ford Motor Company vendor since 1985). Not a direct competitor, but a critical upstream chassis supplier and ecosystem partner whose commercial vehicle strategy directly influences Tafco's addressable market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TafcoEquipment
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tafco-equipment-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tafco Equipment