No matter what side of the political aisle you may be on, it’s probably good to be connected.
When President Trump made a speech in Clive, Iowa, last night, he announced two new U.S.-based John Deere facilities. Both are expected to open in 2027.
Now there are further details from Deere.
One facility is a parts distribution center near Hebron, Indiana, and the other is major expansion of Deere’s excavator complex in Kernersville, North Carolina. The excavator facility will see at least some production moved back to the U.S. from Japan.
"Our investment in these new facilities underscores John Deere's dedication to strengthening the backbone of American industry and supporting local economies,” John May, chairman and CEO of John Deere, said in a statement. “We believe in building America, and these projects represent our intent to continue driving innovation and job creation in the United States."
Since Deere and Hitachi dissolved their joint venture on excavators in 2022, Deere has been working feverishly to design, develop, and produce its own excavators here in the U.S.
Deere shows its first Deere-designed Next Generation Excavators
No doubt this plays well with Trump, who has made it a priority to coax manufacturing jobs back to America.
Expansion in Indiana
John Deere recently broke ground on a new distribution center near Hebron, Indiana, strategically located to enhance supply chain capabilities nationwide. This facility will be designed to streamline operations and ensure timely delivery of equipment and parts.
The Indiana project is anticipated to generate approximately 150 jobs.
John Deere will continue to maintain its primary North American Parts Distribution Center in Milan, Illinois, which has been in operation since 1973 and employs about 1,200 people.
New excavator factory in NC
The new $70-million factory in Kernersville will bolster John Deere's manufacturing capabilities, leveraging advanced technologies to produce excavators.
The North Carolina factory will assume production of future generation excavators previously produced in Japan, Deere said.
This facility will employ over 150.
"We are excited to bring this new facility to our Kernersville campus and to be part of the region’s thriving manufacturing community," said Ryan Campbell, president, Worldwide Construction and Forestry and Power Systems. “Our focus will be on delivering excellence, creating jobs, and advancing the legacy of John Deere in American manufacturing.”
May also said John Deere has committed to investing $20B in U.S. manufacturing over the next 10 years.
About the Author
Frank Raczon
Raczon’s writing career spans nearly 25 years, including magazine publishing and public relations work with some of the industry’s major equipment manufacturers. He has won numerous awards in his career, including nods from the Construction Writers Association, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, and BtoB magazine. He is responsible for the magazine's Buying Files.