OEMs

John Deere blames weak demand for US layoffs

Written by Ethan Bernard

October 22, 2024

Heavy equipment manufacturer John Deere has laid off workers at three of its facilities because of weaker demand. The Moline, Ill.-based company said the cuts are effective Jan. 3.

The company said the layoffs include:

  • John Deere Harvester Works in East Moline, Ill.: ~200 production employees  
  • John Deere Davenport Works in Davenport, Iowa: ~80 production employees  
  • John Deere Seeding and Cylinder operations in Moline: Seven production employees 

“It is important to note these layoffs are due to reduced demand for the products produced at these facilities. They are not related to production moves,” John Deere said in a statement to SMU (emphasis theirs).

The company noted that the layoffs this fiscal year result from the “weakening farm economy and a reduction in customer orders for our equipment.”

A survey of Iowa WARN Notices in Iowa going back to August shows:

  • As of Sept. 20, 345 were laid off at John Deere Waterloo Works in Waterloo, Iowa.
  • On Aug. 30, 211 workers were laid off at Davenport Works in Davenport, Iowa.
  • Also on Aug. 30, 99 workers were laid off at John Deere Dubuque Works in Dubuque, Iowa.

As previously reported, the Moline, Ill.-based company has announced layoffs in the Midwest. It also plans to move production of skid steer and compact track loaders from Iowa to Mexico by the end of 2026, according to a report in Fox Business News.

Ethan Bernard

Ethan Bernard is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. He previously worked for American Metal Market as a copy editor in the New York office for two years starting in 2008. Later, he copy edited AMM’s monthly magazine on a freelance basis from 2015 until 2017. With experience in financial copywriting and textbook publishing, he holds a BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, and an MFA. in Creative Writing from New York University. He can be reached at ethan@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7871.

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