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Learn MoreAbout Lufkin ManufacturingProviding Superb Quality and Durability in Our Products Since 1969
Lufkin Manufacturing, located in Benton, AR, sells, services, and installs dump bodies, trailers, wet line kits, auxiliary axles, tarps, and much more. Formerly Hilark Manufacturing, Lufkin Manufacturing has been providing the industry’s strongest and most durable dump equipment since 1969.
Our History
The Hill brothers, Neil, Vance, and Richmond were originally in the sand, gravel, & ready-mix concrete business in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. They sold their entire operation in 1969 and moved to Benton, Arkansas. They immediately established Hill Equipment Company which bought, re-furbished and sold used trucks, trailers, and construction equipment. They eventually were the Arkansas franchisee for Fontaine (now Warren) trailers and dump bodies, Massey-Ferguson construction equipment, and Diamond REO trucks.
1971 – 1979
In 1971 Richmond sold his share of Hill Equipment Company and acquired Sheridan White Rock in Sheridan, Arkansas. He sold Sheridan White Rock in 1999, moved to Asher, Oklahoma where he purchased Aztec Red Rock, a sand, gravel, and concrete.
In 1972 when their franchisers either ceased operations or were mired in strikes, Hill Equipment Company began building lowboy trailers, dump bodies, and trailers under the HilBilt name. The first HilBilt products with serial numbers were manufactured in 1973.
In 1975, older Neil and his wife Ima Faye discontinued their active role in Hill Equipment Company to pursue a full-time career as Assemblies of God ministers. They pastored churches in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Arizona. When they were not pastoring, they were itinerant evangelists serving under the name The Light of Christ.
Vance and his wife Mary assumed the day-to-day operational supervision of the company. A strike in a competitor’s trailer plant in late 1975, opened the door for Vance Hill to recruit two new distributors, R.G. Smith Equipment Company of Des Plaines, Illinois and Heil-Chicago of McCook, Illinois.
In 1979 Hill Equipment Company spun off the manufacturing operation into a new entity
HilBilt Mfg. Co., Inc. This allowed each company to recruit key employees and better focus on each company’s strengths.
1980 – 1996
The retail operations of Hill Equipment Company were sold in 1983 to Truck Parts and Equipment in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The HilBilt franchise was re-purchased in 1986 and was renamed HilBilt Sales Corporation Arkansas in the same facilities and offices as HilBilt Manufacturing Company, Inc.
In 1987, Vance Hill, answering a need in the hauling market, developed the Mongoose elliptical body trailer. He coalesced into a single trailer the best elements of contemporary technology into a masterful marriage of simplicity and proven HilBilt durability. The Mongoose became an instant marketplace and jobsite success.
The leadership of HilBilt was passed to Vance and Mary’s sons Grayling and Kevin before Vance Hill retired in 1996. Vance Hill died in January of 1998 and his brother Neil died two months later.
New Leadership
Both Grayling and Kevin grew up in the business, working after school, weekends and during the summer. After they finished college, they returned full-time. Both Grayling and Kevin have worked at every position in HilBilt Manufacturing Company from go-for to Management. Grayling had as his portfolio: President of HilBilt Manufacturing Company, plant manager, management supervision, product quality control, and welder. Kevin designs and engineers all new HilBilt products and special applications, in addition to being President of HilBilt Sales Corp. Arkansas.
Under the direction of Grayling and Kevin Hill, HilBilt has enjoyed record years of production and revenue. HilBilt, “Quality That Works”, trailers and dump bodies are recognized nationwide, in several foreign countries, as the leader in heavy-duty construction trailers.
Early 2000s
In 2003 HilBilt introduced the XP family of products. The lighter weight XP trailer is available with a steel frame and aluminum sides, floor, and tailgate, or as an all-steel product. The XPC dump body with its smooth sides and lower weight has found a welcoming market.
In 2008, Grayling and Kevin sold HilBilt Mfg. Co., Inc. to Jordan Industries of Birmingham, Alabama which also owned Clement Industries of Minden, Louisiana. Grayling continued as President of HilBilt Mfg. Co., Inc. and became President of Clement Industries in 2009.
Kevin continued as President of HilBilt Sales Corp. Arkansas on behalf of the brothers.
In 2013, Grayling and Kevin established HilArk Industries, Inc. and purchased the HilBilt dump body line from Jordan Industries. Grayling became President of HilArk Industries, Inc.
In 2018 Kevin retired and Grayling bought his interest in both HilArk Industries, Inc. and HilBilt Sales Corp. Arkansas and became President of HilBilt Sales Corp. Arkansas as well.
Lufkin Mfg., LLC and Lufkin Sales, LLC
In November of 2023 sold the assets of HilArk Industries, Inc. and HilBilt Sales Corp. Arkansas to Leslie Doggett of Houston, Texas and became his minority partner in two new companies Lufkin Mfg., LLC and Lufkin Sales, LLC. Grayling Hill serves as president of Lufkin Mfg., LLC and Lufkin Sales, LLC.
