John Deere is investing $20B in the US
John Deere is making one of the largest commitments to American manufacturing in its nearly two-century history, announcing a $20 billion investment over the next decade to expand and modernize its U.S. operations.
Cory Reed, president of Deere & Co.’s worldwide agriculture and turf division for the Americas and Australia, framed the move as both a business decision and a statement of values. “We were born here, and we’re here to stay,” Reed said, noting that the investment will fund new product development, cutting-edge technology, and advanced manufacturing capabilities.
The Illinois-based farm equipment giant, founded in 1837, has been pouring money into U.S. facilities in recent years. That includes a $70 million factory now under construction in Kernersville, North Carolina, dedicated to manufacturing excavators. In Iowa, John Deere recently completed a $40 million expansion at its Des Moines factory to build See & Spray sprayers — high-tech machines that use computer vision and artificial intelligence to precisely target weeds. In Illinois, the company invested $150 million to renovate its East Moline plant, where its new X9 combines boost harvesting capacity by about 45%.
“These investments are helping us solve some of our customers’ biggest challenges,” Reed explained. “Our customers are the backbone of our communities, and we’re proud to provide solutions that make their jobs easier and more efficient.”
John Deere says nearly 80% of its U.S. sales and a quarter of its global sales come from products built in America. The company employs about 30,000 people at more than 60 U.S. locations, while its independent dealership network adds another 50,000 jobs. That workforce includes military veterans, skilled trade apprentices, and high school students brought into the industry through John Deere’s training programs.
For Reed, the investment is not just about maintaining market dominance — it’s about reaffirming the company’s role in American life. “We’ve been equipping farmers, ranchers, and construction crews to feed, clothe, pave, plant, grow, harvest, and build our country for generations,” he said. “We intend to keep doing it for generations to come.”