A-J & H Transmission History

A-J & H Transmission

The House that Jimmy Built

In the beginning, back in 1977, a very young Jimmy Hussen had a vision, which he turned into a reality. That vision was to better serve the community in their automotive driveline needs, superior to anyone else. A-J & H Transmission was then created. Jimmy worked countless hours in the back of various shops, continually expanding and working his way up to outgrowing every location where he rebuilt transmissions.


Through diligent hard work, dedication, and perfection, a plot of land was acquired. In 1986, he broke ground and laid the foundation. The home for A-J & H Transmission at 533 S. Vermont Street, Palatine, IL, was built.

Concrete foundation with retaining wall under construction in a dirt lot, brick building in the background.
Brown brick building with three white doors, outdoor construction site.
Construction site with exposed concrete structure, scaffolding, and surrounding brick buildings under construction.
Building under construction on a wet, snowy day. Brick exterior with unfinished openings.

The house Jimmy built is a 5,800 sq. ft. all-brick building with 7 bays and 30 parking spaces on a 1/4-acre lot. Many upgrades and changes have occurred since the renovation, but one thing hasn’t changed—keeping the A-J & H Transmission legacy alive.

A black car lifted in a repair shop; other vehicles and tools are visible.
A car repair shop interior with vehicle lifts, tools, and equipment. Bright overhead lights.

Jimmy created a recipe that was simple.

The recipe was built with:

  • Integrity
  • Quality
  • Honesty
  • Knowledge
  • Experience
  • Wisdom
  • Old-fashioned values


We feel that is the way it should be. It’s a recipe that we still believe in to this day.


Our recipe is the same as our business motto:

  • Do “the job” right
  • Cut no corners
  • Never sacrifice honesty, quality, or integrity
  • Treat every person with honor and respect
  • Our employees are not “employees”—they are our FAMILY. Our elected family. And are treated and rewarded as such—with dignity, respect, and heart.


We believe in following this over all else, including profit. Profit will come AFTER we do our job RIGHT and the needs of our customers are met. Profit, to us, is the last measure of success.


The recipe will never change in this house, the house that Jimmy built.