John Deere announced plans to close two Iowa manufacturing plants in the next few years and move production to other cities, in a news release from the company on Wednesday.
Deere said it will be closing its plant in Ottumwa, Iowa, after moving windrower and round-baler production to Des Moines. In addition, the company said it will end manufacturing at its Hagie plant in Clarion, Iowa, after moving STS sprayer production to Louisiana.
Windrower production plans to move to Des Moines by the end of 2027 and round balers would follow by the end of 2028, according to Deere, followed by the closure of the plant in Ottumwa.
Hagie STS sprayer production is slated to move to Thibodaux, Louisiana, beginning in 2028 with manufacturing ending in Clarion, Iowa, by the end of 2029.
John Deere did not provide employment numbers or say how many jobs would be affected, although other media outlets on Wednesday reported the company has about 700 workers at the Ottumwa plant. The number of employees affected in Clarion is unclear.
When contacted by DTN for additional information, Deere said the specific employment effects will "depend on future business conditions, production volumes and staffing needs."
Click here to see more...