If you’re curious about John Deere, the world leader in agricultural machinery, you might have wondered about its ownership structure. As a publicly traded company, John Deere’s shareholders own various amounts of stock.
This article will examine John Deere’s ownership history and current structure, and how that has affected business operations, relationships with customers and suppliers as well as overall success on the market.
Whether you’re an investor, a fan of the brand, or simply curious about who owns John Deere, this comprehensive overview will give you all of John Deere’s assets.
John Deere & Company History
John Deere founded the company in 1836 with his invention of the steel plow capable of tilling Midwest prairie soil without clogging.
Deere’s company manufactured and marketed this revolutionary tool the following year, which he then incorporated as Deere & Company the following year.
In 1958, John Deere-Delaware Company merged with Deere & Company and its affiliates to form what is now known as Deere & Company; under five generations of leadership from the Deere family since its foundation.
In the 1960s and ’70s, agriculture underwent a dramatic technological advancement, encouraging farmers to utilize larger economies of scale for increased profitability. Deere & Company’s business flourished as it produced large tractors, balers, seeding equipment, and harvesting gear for rapidly expanding farms.
Deere & Company was forced to expand its implement offerings during the early 1900s due to increased competition from International Harvester Company, but gasoline tractors became the cornerstone of its operations throughout the 20th century.
After Charles Deere’s death in 1907, Deere & Company president William Butterworth (Charles’ son-in-law) launched the tractor business in 1912. T
that same year they acquired Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company from Waterloo, Iowa; this company would go on to make several successful tractor models including Dain All-Wheel-Drive which became their top seller until 1923 when Model D debuted, though today some 7Rs, 8Rs, and 9R tractors are still produced there today.
John Deere unveiled their first combine harvester in 1927 – the No. 2. After one year, however, they introduced the smaller and more popular No. 1, replacing both machines with newer lighter models by 1929. Additionally, John Deere and others developed hillside harvesting technology during the 1930s.
Charles Deere Wiman, the great-grandson of John Deere, served as business president during World War II before serving in the Army as colonel. Burton F. Peek then took his place as president.
Before rejoining John Deere in late 1944, Wiman led their farm machinery and equipment sector for the War Production Board. John Deere produced military tractors and M3 tank transmissions as well as airplane parts, ammunition, and mobile washing machines during this period of conflict.
Deere & Company advocated “flexible manufacturing” to continue producing a wide range of agricultural products for small and medium-sized businesses while satisfying the demand for larger equipment.
In 1981, Deere built a $1.5 billion factory in Iowa that used computers and robotics to monitor multiple assembly lines for different goods while making profits even when output was low.
This strategy propelled Deere & Firm from being an American farm equipment leader at the end of the 20th century to become one of the largest agricultural machinery firms globally by the beginning of this millennium.
Deere factories across the US, Canada, western Europe, India, Argentina, Brazil, and South Africa produce forklifts, bulldozers, industrial tractors, chain saws, and lawn care equipment in addition to farm machinery. By 2020 the company had operations in over 70 countries worldwide.
John Deere History Timeline
Here is a timeline of the major events in John Deere’s history:
- 1837: John Deere creates the first steel plow, revolutionizing farming.
- 1848: The company moves its headquarters to Moline, Illinois.
- 1858: John Deere’s son, Charles, becomes a partner in the company.
- 1868: John Deere dies, and Charles takes over as president of the company.
- 1876: The company introduces the first commercially successful self-scouring steel plow.
- 1912: John Deere enters the tractor market with the purchase of the Waterloo Gasoline Traction Engine Company.
- 1923: The company introduces the Model D tractor, which becomes one of the most popular tractors of all time.
- 1956: John Deere enters the construction equipment market with the acquisition of the Wiman Corporation.
- 1963: The company introduces the first fully-integrated, four-wheel-drive tractor, the Model 8010.
- 1988: John Deere acquires the forestry equipment division of Timberjack.
- 1991: The company introduces the first combined harvester with a rotary threshing and separating system.
- 1995: John Deere expands into the golf course equipment market with the purchase of irrigation company, LESCO.
- 2000: The company enters the lawn and garden equipment market with the purchase of Scotts LawnService.
- 2014: John Deere launches the “See & Spray” technology, which uses cameras and artificial intelligence to precisely apply herbicides to weeds.
- 2020: The company unveils its first electric tractor prototype, the SESAM (Sustainable Energy Supply for Agricultural Machinery).
- 2022: At the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2022, Toyota unveiled a self-driving tractor designed for large-scale farming instead of its existing similar tractors designed for smaller operations.
Throughout its history, John Deere has remained committed to innovation and improving the lives of farmers and other customers.
Today, it is a global leader in the heavy equipment industry, with a wide range of products and a presence in over 30 countries.
Who owns John Deere’s company?
John Deere founded his company in Grand Detour, Illinois in 1837 as a blacksmith. Noticing the difficulties farmers had with their equipment, he set out to design and improved the plow – leading to the invention of the first steel plow that revolutionized farming and earned him a place in agricultural history.
The current business was founded in 1958 as the John Deere-Delaware Company; later that year, it merged with the more established Deere & Company and its affiliates to become the current business.
Deere & Company has been led by five generations of the Deere family since its founding.
Who owns John Deere Now?
John Deere is a publicly traded company owned by its shareholders. The largest shareholder of John Deere is The Vanguard Group Inc., an investment management firm headquartered in Pennsylvania. Other major shareholders include BlackRock Inc., State Street Corporation, and Wellington Management Company LLP.
John Deere’s board of directors, led by its CEO John C. May, is responsible for supervising operations and making strategic decisions for the company. John C. May has served in this capacity since November 2019.
John Deere offers a broad selection of agricultural, construction, and forestry equipment. To assist customers with financing their purchases of equipment, John Deere provides financial services like loans or leasing options.
John Deere is a leader in the heavy equipment industry with operations spanning 30 countries and an ongoing dedication to innovation and improving the lives of farmers and other customers.
Who is the biggest shareholder of John Deere?
| Name | Equities | % |
| Capital Research & Management Co. | 38,769,400 | 13.1% |
| Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. (Investment Management) | 21,085,061 | 7.12% |
| The Vanguard Group, Inc. | 20,952,558 | 7.07% |
| SSgA Funds Management, Inc. | 10,700,526 | 3.61% |
| JPMorgan Investment Management, Inc. | 9,975,126 | 3.37% |
| BlackRock Fund Advisors | 6,133,201 | 2.07% |
| Wellington Management Co. LLP | 5,658,061 | 1.91% |
| Equinox Capital Management LLC | 4,849,240 | 1.64% |
| Franklin Mutual Advisers LLC | 4,803,180 | 1.62% |
| Geode Capital Management LLC | 4,792,394 | 1.62% |
John Deere Net Worth
As of 2021, the net worth of John Deere & Company, the American agricultural equipment manufacturer, was estimated to be approximately $109 billion USD.
However, it’s worth noting that this figure represents the company’s overall value, including its assets, liabilities, and future earnings potential, and does not reflect the personal net worth of any individual associated with the company, such as its executives or shareholders.
John Deere Subsidiaries
John Deere has several subsidiaries that operate in different industries and regions around the world. Here are some of the major subsidiaries of John Deere:
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John Deere Financial: Offers financial services, including leasing, loans, and insurance, to support customers in purchasing John Deere equipment.
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Wirtgen Group: A German-based company that specializes in road construction equipment, which was acquired by John Deere in 2017.
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Blue River Technology: Develops machine learning and computer vision technology to assist with precision agriculture, which was acquired by John Deere in 2017.
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Hagie Manufacturing Company: A U.S.-based manufacturer of high-clearance sprayers, which was acquired by John Deere in 2016.
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Frontier Equipment: Offers a range of equipment and implements for small-scale farmers and rural property owners, which is sold through John Deere dealerships.
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John Deere Water: Develops irrigation systems and water management solutions for agricultural and landscaping applications.
These are just a few examples of John Deere’s subsidiaries, which operate in various industries and regions around the world.
FAQs
Who owns John Deere?
When was John Deere founded?
How has ownership of John Deere changed over time?
However, the company has remained focused on producing high-quality agricultural machinery throughout its history.
What is the current ownership structure of John Deere?
Who are some of the largest shareholders in John Deere?
Some of the largest institutional shareholders include The Vanguard Group, Inc., BlackRock, Inc., and State Street Corporation.
How has John Deere’s ownership structure impacted its business operations?
The company remains committed to providing high-quality products and excellent customer service, regardless of its ownership structure.
What is John Deere’s current market capitalization?
Does John Deere have any controlling shareholders?
How does John Deere ensure that its shareholders are represented in company decisions?
The company’s board of directors is responsible for overseeing management and making major decisions about the company’s direction, and shareholders have the ability to vote on important matters such as the election of board members and major acquisitions.