John Deere Bails On Midwest US Production

[Valkorado]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmoney/article-13567647/Americas-oldest-companies-slashes-jobs-Midwest-shifts-work-Mexico.html

[Serk]

Ross Perot called it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3LvZAZ-HV4

[old2soon]

   Git ahold of Reb! He works for J D! And yet "THEY" question Why AMERICA is goin to hell in a hand basket as "they" increase taxes and destroy incentives to keep AMERICA working! RIDE SAFE.

[carolinarider09]

   Git ahold of Reb! He works for J D! And yet "THEY" question Why AMERICA is goin to hell in a hand basket as "they" increase taxes and destroy incentives to keep AMERICA working! RIDE SAFE.

 

And the way to react is at the store.  If it's made by John Deere, just don't buy it.

[Serk]

   Git ahold of Reb! He works for J D! And yet "THEY" question Why AMERICA is goin to hell in a hand basket as "they" increase taxes and destroy incentives to keep AMERICA working! RIDE SAFE.

 

And the way to react is at the store.  If it's made by John Deere, just don't buy it.

A farmer that's got literally millions of dollars tied up in the John Deere ecosystem can't easily or financially responsibly switch at this point.

Admittedly, I was proud when I got my lil' John Deere riding mower, and when the time comes to replace it I'll go outta my way to NOT get another Deere but that's small potatoes compared to the big farmers...

[Robert]

They are also one of the biggest opponents on the right to repair your own tractor. Fighting this also contributes to other industries doing the same. Stopping you from repairing your own possessions.

Deere almost went bankrupt also

https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/equipment/article/2023/11/27/court-denies-john-deere-motion-ended

[Challenger]

You might want to investigate what happened to all the other AG manufacturers and who owns them now and where their products are produced. Deere is the only manufacturer that has never merged or been absorbed.

[carolinarider09]

[

And the way to react is at the store.  If it's made by John Deere, just don't buy it.

A farmer that's got literally millions of dollars tied up in the John Deere ecosystem can't easily or financially responsibly switch at this point.

Admittedly, I was proud when I got my lil' John Deere riding mower, and when the time comes to replace it I'll go outta my way to NOT get another Deere but that's small potatoes compared to the big farmers...

[/quote]

I stand my by statement.  If you have a John Deere, no issues keep it.  If you need a new one, don't buy a John Deere.   

I purchased a John Deere tractor (very small could be fitted with an under belly mower if I wished.) it failed after about 4 or five years.  Took it to the dealer to fix, he said, after investigation, it was not worth fixing.  May have been a lie but I was in no position to argue.  Left it there (I did not want to have it just getting rusty outside at my place).  Went to a tractor place that had a used John Deere, found one I liked, told the man I would be back the next day to make a purchase.  Came back the next day and he said it was sold.

No more John Deeres for me.  Purchased a 1996 (new) Massey Ferguson.  Still have it, what is it now, almost 28 years later.  Diesel.  Still runs.  All the "gear" will work with almost any tractor with a PTO or the standard three point hitch.  You know, mower, two plows, land scape leveling attachment, mult-blade disk plow and a few other things.  Yes, it does not get used much now that the house is finished and most of the landscaping has been done but I do use it. 

[Reb]

Yes,

John Deere is currently doing a re-structuring and is gutting around 15% of their global salary workforce. This is the 2nd time in 4 years they have done a mass firing of salaried employees. 1st was in 2020 during Covid called a smart industrial redesign (SIRD) for short.

This is after they laid off about 1000 union employees at the Iowa factories.

Understand, Deere builds products outside of just tractors. As far as products moving out of the country that I am aware of. Tracked Feller Bunchers and Knuckleboom loaders ( forestry equipment) have moved from Dubuque Works to Langley Canada. This is more for logistic purposes as a majority of this machinery is sold to northwestern Canada and NW United States for large logging operations. Small frame skid steers have moved from Dubuque works to Monterray Mexico. Mower Conditioners have moved from Ottumwa Works to Mexico. All in the name of lower labor costs. While our CEO John May received about 26million in bonus and incentives last year. But, let's not forget the UAW getting a fat contract in 2021 when they went on strike, only to cry foul when Deere moves those union jobs to Mexico 3 years later. The UAW didn't see that coming???

As frustrating as it is, Deere's leadership has made some bone head decisions in past 4 years that have led up to this point. They have moved away from an "old iron" manufacturing company to a more silicon valley tech based company. The amount of technology that tractors and harvesters are equipped with compared to 20 years ago is on a level of insanity. They have hired the heck out of software engineers, computer engineers, system engineers, etc. only to lay them off last month as some of the investments (or poor choices) the the board of directors have made is not paying off. Also, they hired a DEI officer and have been beating the crap out of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training, up until the point the Bud Light fiasco happened. Luckily that crap went silent fast. They have fired numerous talented engineers with multiple patents, yet kept the DEI department intact. (Obviously DEI is key to John Deere's future success)  


It is definitely not the same company I started with almost a decade ago. Nor is it remotely close to the company that my Great Grandfather purchased his first model A tractor from in the late 1940's, They care more about shareholder value than costumers. But, as an employee, I have also benefited from the increase in share price as well having small investment quantities in my own retirement plan.
 

Also, we are on a downturn in the large ag market. Commodity prices are pretty much crap, so not much payback for farmers to purchase new equipment (typical 8 year cycle economic farm trend). My small sector of Turf and Compact Utility has been barely impacted, most if not all the layoffs are hitting the large Ag tractor, Combine, Construction and Forestry sides of the business. All lawn care products both commercial, residential, as well as Gator UV's products are still produced in Horicon WI, Greeneville TN, Fuquay Varina NC, and compact utility tractors in Augusta GA. None of these factories are UAW represented.

[HayHauler]

Thanks for the info Reb!  It seems that GPS and control systems are more importanter than building a robust and reliable product.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Valkorado]

Yes, very interesting.  Thanks for an "insider's view", Reb.

[Hook#3287]

Ross Perot called it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3LvZAZ-HV4

That was exactly my thought when I saw the report on Deere.

I remember him saying it in the debate, and unfortunately, he was right.

[Reb]

And as predicted, I figured it would happen after layoffs. Most likely a disgruntled former employee leaked information out to social media on Deere's DEI practices.



https://x.com/robbystarbuck/status/1810675517248483344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1810675517248483344%7Ctwgr%5E04ecd73f07d6e4508310101c7451b87cb256ba5e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fnlpc.org%2Fcorporate-integrity-project%2Ffirst-tractor-supply-now-john-deere-slammed-for-woke-policies%2F

It’s time to expose John Deere.

@JohnDeere
 has been one of the most beloved brands by conservative farmers but recently on CEO John May’s watch, they’ve gone woke.

Here’s some of what we found:

• Funding a pride event for kids as young as 3
• "Genderbread man" training
• They ask employees to list their "preferred pronouns" on all communications
• Bill Gates is listed as their largest shareholder
• John Deere celebrated their accounting and finance team taking United Way’s 21 day "United For Equity" program
• When I did "United For Equity" program it promoted Ibram Kendi, the woke children’s book "Anti-Racist Baby", "Awake to Woke to Work", a podcast on the concept of "Whiteness", woke activist Robin DiAngelo, bigotry against Christians who supposedly have "Christian Privilege" and more
• The woke policies have spread across the global John Deere brand with many of their DEI policies also being forced on their Latin America and India branches
• LGBTQ & race based identity groups at corporate
• A total commitment to DEI policies
• 95/100 CEI score from the HRC

John Deere also just announced layoffs in the US and that they plan to shift large segments of production away from the US to Mexico.

To put it mildly, John Deere seems to have forgotten who their customers are. Having a farm myself, I’m disgusted that a once great American brand is now taking this turn to seemingly embrace leftist policies that are diametrically opposed to the values of most farmers.

What’s unknown is whether CEO John May is knowingly forcing these policies or if it’s gotten out of control and he’s out of the loop on how bad it is. His response to this story will be very revealing as to his culpability in the implementation of woke policies.

This report is only the beginning. We have so many pieces of news to report that it’s going to take weeks, maybe even months to report it thoroughly.

I plan to report what we’ve found piece by piece so customers and potential customers are informed on the brand’s policies. If they’re proud of adopting woke policies then John Deere and their CEO should be overjoyed by my reporting on their policies, positions, donations and culture.

Next we’re going to be doing a deep dive on donations, interviews their executives have given, hiring practices, woke causes they’ve supported, the difficulties some farmers have faced trying to repair their products and much more.

If you think John Deere’s values don’t align with yours and you’re a customer or potential customer who wants to speak out, I’ve provided their email and corporate customer service number at the end of this video. Please ALWAYS be respectful and remember that many of the employees disagree with the corporate policies. The majority of your local dealers likely also disagree with this culture change so be very respectful if you reach out to them about your concerns.

My goal with this reporting is never destruction. My goal is to inform consumers about the values major companies are adopting so they can make choices about what they’re willing to support.

When we use our voices and wallets to vote our values, we can change the world and we can restore great American companies to a culture of sanity, meritocracy and culture war neutrality OR we can inspire competitors to step up to the plate to fight for our business.

As we saw with my Tractor Supply stories, millions of people spoke out against these types of woke policies and ultimately Tractor Supply did the right thing by eliminating woke policies, donations, trainings and positions because of your voices.

The customer is king and most of us just want companies we shop at to stop virtue signaling about divisive social, cultural and political issues.

If you agree then share this video and tag your favorite accounts so they see this news too

[Serk]

And as predicted, I figured it would happen after layoffs. Most likely a disgruntled former employee leaked information out to social media on Deere's DEI practices.

I mean... Better they do this then a disgruntled former employee going in and shooting the place up...

 

[Reb]

And as predicted, I figured it would happen after layoffs. Most likely a disgruntled former employee leaked information out to social media on Deere's DEI practices.

I mean... Better they do this then a disgruntled former employee going in and shooting the place up...

 

100% agree, not in the least upset by it. I hope they consider the political leaning of their primary market base and make changes appropriately. Apparently the social media shame tactic worked on Tractor Supply Co (TSC)

[Skinhead]

You'd think they'd have learned from Bud Light's mistake.  Apparently Tractor Supply figured it out.  From what I have been hearing from former co-workers, GM has yet to learn their lesson.

[Serk]

You'd think they'd have learned from Bud Light's mistake.  Apparently Tractor Supply figured it out.  From what I have been hearing from former co-workers, GM has yet to learn their lesson.

Looks like Deere finally got the memo... Well, part of the memo at least:



Source:

https://x.com/JohnDeere/status/1813318977650847944/

[Skinhead]

We are slowly gaining ground in the war on stupidity.  After what happened to A-B over the Bud Light fiasco, the CEOs are realizing that their bonuses could suffer if the piss off their customer base.

[GiG]

You'd think they'd have learned from Bud Light's mistake., GM has yet to learn their lesson.

Here’s another large manufacturing company that has not figured it out; for two years I worked out of my dining room, … then… Ford decreed All employees MUST get inoculation against COVID!!!  First, they decreed I must pay for my electric bill to support their inane on-line never ending meetings; then they decreed they are in charge of what poisons are to be injected into my body while I am confined to my home. Still waiting to see if they may try to make more insane overreaching decrees for ex- employees    

[GiG]

The “Black Farmers” organization has vowed to boycott DEERE “

John Deere rolls back DEI efforts  - could explain why they bailed on US production 

[carolinarider09]

Since John Deere has moved (or said it would move) its Iowa tractor cab production plant to Mexico by 2024.  And they said they will move their skid steer loader and compact track loader production from Dubuque, Iowa to Mexico by 2026. They may have some 'plaining" to do.

If Trump wins the election I can tell you that one of the first things Trump will do is close the border with Mexico the same way he did before.  That will make the John Deere products more expensive. 

Can't wait for November 6th.

[Reb]

Another round of salary layoffs kicking off this Wednesday (7/24/2024) All salary employees globally except for product engineering are on the hit-list, production and moral have been poo over the past few weeks and rightfully so.

Expect more DEI leaked internal memos to be shared on twitter/X by the end of the week.

[cookiedough]

best of luck Reb,  been thru it a few times in my life, not a fun thing to do.  Is sad that one LARGE company I worked for gave us the option of moving to Milwaukee office or take a severance package.  All but 5 or so employees ready to retire took the severance package, makes you  wonder how good the company was to work for in the first place when just a few stay with the company, NOT relocating to milwaukee, no thanks.

The more recent let go was more of a surprise to all.  The big shot young owners from Arizona born with silver spoon in their mouths, came into our office and blindsided the entire company letting go that day NO notice our dept. walked us out the door complete surprise.  That one pissed me off big time.  Needless to say that company did not survive as the owners were jerks.

[Reb]

You'd think they'd have learned from Bud Light's mistake.  Apparently Tractor Supply figured it out.  From what I have been hearing from former co-workers, GM has yet to learn their lesson.

Looks like Deere finally got the memo... Well, part of the memo at least:



Source:

https://x.com/JohnDeere/status/1813318977650847944/

Not to digress away from John Deere, but looks like the next company on the DEI Wokeness exposure block is one we are all familiar with

https://x.com/robbystarbuck/status/1815754041214845145

Say it ain't soo Harley Davidson!

[Reb]

best of luck Reb,  been thru it a few times in my life, not a fun thing to do.  Is sad that one LARGE company I worked for gave us the option of moving to Milwaukee office or take a severance package.  All but 5 or so employees ready to retire took the severance package, makes you  wonder how good the company was to work for in the first place when just a few stay with the company, NOT relocating to milwaukee, no thanks.

The more recent let go was more of a surprise to all.  The big shot young owners from Arizona born with silver spoon in their mouths, came into our office and blindsided the entire company letting go that day NO notice our dept. walked us out the door complete surprise.  That one pissed me off big time.  Needless to say that company did not survive as the owners were jerks.

Thank you, the wife and I made it through the salary mass layoff. However, with the amount of co-workers I've lost today, it's going to take some time before any moral or trust in the companies leadership is restored.

[cookiedough]

best of luck Reb,  been thru it a few times in my life, not a fun thing to do.  Is sad that one LARGE company I worked for gave us the option of moving to Milwaukee office or take a severance package.  All but 5 or so employees ready to retire took the severance package, makes you  wonder how good the company was to work for in the first place when just a few stay with the company, NOT relocating to milwaukee, no thanks.

The more recent let go was more of a surprise to all.  The big shot young owners from Arizona born with silver spoon in their mouths, came into our office and blindsided the entire company letting go that day NO notice our dept. walked us out the door complete surprise.  That one pissed me off big time.  Needless to say that company did not survive as the owners were jerks.

Thank you, the wife and I made it through the salary mass layoff. However, with the amount of co-workers I've lost today, it's going to take some time before any moral or trust in the companies leadership is restored.

good luck with that moral and trust to return, it did not for me.  I pretty much have no faith in company leadership anymore seeing as how they make so much money vs. us pions and yet the pions make them look good.

[Serk]

Not to digress away from John Deere, but looks like the next company on the DEI Wokeness exposure block is one we are all familiar with

https://x.com/robbystarbuck/status/1815754041214845145

Say it ain't soo Harley Davidson!

This gentlemen seemed to be very displeased with the new woke direction Harley Davidson has chosen to take, and is capitalizing on that displeasure to the fullest...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOmAJ18lpmU

Much as I despise anything woke, and really can't stand Harley Davidson, I still got no joy from watching one be destroyed...

(Yeah, so I'm sharing it anyway, figured someone might get a kick out of it.)

[Valkorado]

Not to digress away from John Deere, but looks like the next company on the DEI Wokeness exposure block is one we are all familiar with

https://x.com/robbystarbuck/status/1815754041214845145

Say it ain't soo Harley Davidson!

This gentlemen seemed to be very displeased with the new woke direction Harley Davidson has chosen to take, and is capitalizing on that displeasure to the fullest...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOmAJ18lpmU

Much as I despise anything woke, and really can't stand Harley Davidson, I still got no joy from watching one be destroyed...

(Yeah, so I'm sharing it anyway, figured someone might get a kick out of it.)

   With today's ammo prices I might have opted for a sledge hammer.  That dude has strong arms tho.

[Skinhead]

What a waste!  Harley still made a profit when he bought that bike, and he wasted a lot of ammo that would have been put to better use on politicians.