MOLINE, Ill. — John Deere plans to close two Iowa factories as it redistributes equipment production across its manufacturing network over the next several years.
The company announced the changes Nov. 4, citing customer demand and available manufacturing capacity.
Windrower production will leave Ottumwa Works for Des Moines Works by the end of fiscal 2027. Round baler production is scheduled to follow by the end of fiscal 2028. Deere intends to close Ottumwa after those transfers are complete.
In Clarion, production of Hagie STS sprayers will begin moving to Thibodaux, Louisiana, in fiscal 2028. Deere intends to end manufacturing at the Hagie factory by fiscal 2029.
The moves follow Deere’s Oct. 30 announcement of more than 400 planned hires and over 275 callbacks to Waterloo. That earlier announcement included Ottumwa among locations where previously laid-off employees had been asked to return.
Other changes include transferring small planter production from Moline to Paton, Iowa, in fiscal 2027. Sugar cane harvester production will move from Thibodaux to Catalão, Brazil, in fiscal 2029.
Deere says it expects customer service, product availability and quality to continue through the transitions.
The company says it will work with employees, union representatives and local leaders and identify future uses for the Ottumwa and Clarion properties.
John Deere tractor file photo by Julia Koblitz via Unsplash. The photograph does not depict either affected factory.
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