Company: Deere & Company

Founders: John Deere, Charles Deere

Industry: Construction

History:

Deere & Company is one of the leading global companies in the Agriculture Industry. What started as a small blacksmith shop is now a large corporation that does business in over 160 countries and has more than 50,000 employees.

The company provides a comprehensive array of services in equipment manufacturing and operations, and other related complementary service businesses.

The firm was built with the guidance of John Deere’s original principles which are a commitment to customer satisfaction, quality products, integrity and valuing individual contribution.

Who is John Deere?
John Deere was the one who developed the first self-scouring steel plow. After attaining a school education and learning the blacksmith business, he worked as a freelance blacksmith in 1825, then became well-know for his careful work and resourcefulness.

When John Deere moved to the West, in Grand Detour, Illinois, he felt the need to build a stronger plow, for the farmers’ main problem was plowing the rich soil of the West. These farmers brought with them their cast-iron plows from the sandy soil of New England.

Deere promptly designed a steel plow that the pioneers saw was the answer to successful farming. He also altered the way blacksmiths did business — John Deere would make several plows even before he received orders, something that was unheard of in those days.

John Deere’s Expanded Company
Ten years after Deere developed his steel plow, he was producing a thousand plows every year. Eventually, he created several different tools and constantly made changes in design in line with his value for product development.

In 1868, Deere’s venture was incorporated under the label Deere & Company. By the time John Deere died, the company was making significant profits and was manufacturing a comprehensive variety of plows, cultivators and other tools.

Deere & Company Today
The company has a very long and successful line of history. Today, the firm’s CEO and president, Robert W. Lane, has all the experience needed in order for him to continue John Deere’s principles and commitment in the worldwide market.

Leadership:

Robert W. Lane, CEO and Chairman
Board of Directors comprised of 12 Members