Rolling in Teal

By George L. Nitti For Chris Jeswald, the company’s unmistakable teal branding evolved naturally from Jeswald Auto-Truck Service’s earliest days.

“Our colors actually came from an older truck we had — one of our first trucks way back in the day,” Chris explained. “It was a tealish Swiss color, kind of like what it is now.”

Over time, the shade evolved into the modern teal-green tone now associated with Jeswald Auto-Truck Service, based out of Austintown, Ohio.

“It popped, and no one else really used that color, so that’s kind of why we rolled with that one,” he said.

The company’s lettering also carries a small detail that has become part of its identity over generations.

“In the E there’s like a little candle,” Chris said. “I have no idea where that came from, but I think a long time ago, when they would letter up the doors, one of the guys did it like that and it just kind of stuck.”

Today, that subtle design element remains part of every Jeswald logo.

The company’s crest logo also reflects Jeswald’s close relationship with first responders.

“Our graphics guy wanted to replicate firefighters’ crests,” Chris explained. “That’s how they kind of came up with that one — and I loved it.”

Chris’s personal workhorse — a 2021 Ford F-550 equipped with a Jerr-Dan MPL-40 — showcases Jeswald’s signature graphics in action.

“That one’s my truck actually,” he said. “I use that for everything.”

The unit was heavily customized after the company began covering the Ohio Turnpike, where deer strikes became common.

“We were getting numerous deer accidents… multiple a night,” Chris recalled. “I told my dad, ‘Hey, I’m kind of nervous. I don’t want to end up catching a deer,’ so we ended up putting that front bumper on it.”

The truck now serves as a recovery unit, service vehicle, transport rig, and even an off-road recovery truck equipped with a front winch.

“I do all kinds of jobs with it — anything and everything,” Chris said. “It’s a pretty stout truck.”

Even the lighting package was selected with functionality in mind.

“My favorite light actually has a little puddle light,” he said. “At nighttime, you can actually see where you’re backing up and where your rear wheels are at.”