Deere & Company is the story of one man's ability to adapt to and meet the demands of the ever-changing world of farming. The company has played a part in the making of farm equipment for over 150 years. During that time, they have become one of the most recognized producers of tractors and farm equipment in the world.
John Deere began the road to success at Grand Detour, Illinois, in his blacksmith shop. It was here he began using his blacksmithing skills to produce steel plows. His business was so good he eventually left behind the blacksmith shop and built a factory to produce plows. By 1848, John Deere moved again to Moline, Illinois, to enable easier access to raw materials. Five years later annual production was 4000 plows, with 15,000 being reached three years later. Other implements began to be introduced also at this time.
The company became a corporation on August 15, 1868, and continued to prosper in the years following the Civil War. New products were developed over the next decade with plows, planters, harrows, wagons and cultivators all being listed in the company catalogue. John Deere continued to be a presence in the community until his death on May 17, 1886.
By the turn of the century the farm equipment business was beginning to suffer from too many companies and too few buyers. Companies began merging, and this troubled the Deere Company. They needed to expand their product line and continue to grow to survive. This lead to major changes in 1910 and paved the way for the future of the company.
The use of tractors was becoming more common on the farm and the Deere Company recognized a growing market. The Waterloo Boy was introduced during World War I and was successful for a few years. In 1923 the Model D was introduced by Deere and production continued for thirty years. Every farmer soon realized that Deere was a producer of quality tractors.
Following in the footsteps of the Model D was the GP, which was labelled a general purpose tractor. Deere continued to refine equipment and introduced more products designed to meet the needs of farmers.
By 1953, the need for large equipment and tractors that are more powerful was apparent to Deere. The company decided that its two-cylinder designs were hampering progress. Deere introduced its "New Generation" of tractors in the summer of 1960. The redesigned tractors were well accepted and tractor sales rose dramatically.
John Deere began the road to success at Grand Detour, Illinois, in his blacksmith shop. It was here he began using his blacksmithing skills to produce steel plows. His business was so good he eventually left behind the blacksmith shop and built a factory to produce plows. By 1848, John Deere moved again to Moline, Illinois, to enable easier access to raw materials. Five years later annual production was 4000 plows, with 15,000 being reached three years later. Other implements began to be introduced also at this time.
The company became a corporation on August 15, 1868, and continued to prosper in the years following the Civil War. New products were developed over the next decade with plows, planters, harrows, wagons and cultivators all being listed in the company catalogue. John Deere continued to be a presence in the community until his death on May 17, 1886.
By the turn of the century the farm equipment business was beginning to suffer from too many companies and too few buyers. Companies began merging, and this troubled the Deere Company. They needed to expand their product line and continue to grow to survive. This lead to major changes in 1910 and paved the way for the future of the company.
The use of tractors was becoming more common on the farm and the Deere Company recognized a growing market. The Waterloo Boy was introduced during World War I and was successful for a few years. In 1923 the Model D was introduced by Deere and production continued for thirty years. Every farmer soon realized that Deere was a producer of quality tractors.
Following in the footsteps of the Model D was the GP, which was labelled a general purpose tractor. Deere continued to refine equipment and introduced more products designed to meet the needs of farmers.
By 1953, the need for large equipment and tractors that are more powerful was apparent to Deere. The company decided that its two-cylinder designs were hampering progress. Deere introduced its "New Generation" of tractors in the summer of 1960. The redesigned tractors were well accepted and tractor sales rose dramatically.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article John Deere in Farming is owned by . Permission to republish John Deere in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Don De Beyer 's Farming topic, please visit the Discussions page.