Deere & Company

From Open Encyclopedia

**Deere & Company**
Image:Logo green.gif Image:JohnDeereLogo.png
Type	Public (NYSE: DE)
Founded	1868
Location	Moline, IL
Key people	Robert W. Lane, Chairman & CEO
Industry	Heavy equipment
Products	Agriculture, Construction& Forestry, Consumer & Commercial Equipment, Financial Services
Revenue	Image:Green up.png$19.986 billion USD (2004)
Operating Income	{{{operating_income}}}
Net Income	{{{net_income}}}
Employees	46,000
Website	www.johndeere.com
{{{footnotes}}}

Image:JDTractorDUBIA7800.jpg Image:9410JDCombineJuly2004.JPG Image:Tractor-9520T-studio-69603.jpg Image:Combine 9860sts action96803.jpg

Deere & Company (NYSE:DE) an American corporation based in Moline, Illinois is the leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery including tractors, combine harvesters, balers, and forestry equipment; and a leading supplier of equipment used in lawn, grounds and turf care such as ride-on lawn mowers, all of which are known for their distinctive green and yellow color scheme. John Deere is also a major manufacturer of construction equipment.

Additionally, John Deere manufactures engines used in heavy equipment and provides financial services and other related activities that support the core businesses. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has established a heritage of quality products and services providing performance that endures to customers worldwide.

John Deere was born in Rutland, Vermont, USA on February 7, 1804 and served a four-year blacksmith apprenticeship. Deere developed and began commercially manufacturing the first cast-steel plow, an advancement that aided the late 19th century and early 20th century migration into the American Great Plains.

In 1868, Deere's manufacturing business was incorporated under the name Deere & Company. It was soon taken over by Deere's son, Charles, who established marketing centers and independent retail dealers to advance the company's sales nationwide. It is one of the oldest industrial companies in the United States.

As of 2004, the company employs nearly 50,000 people in 21 countries worldwide, including the United States and Canada, the United Kingdom, China, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, India, Poland, and Mexico, among many others. Quality products and superior dealer support has played a crucial part in the success of the John Deere brand.