Deere: Focusing on U.S. competitiveness

An initiative aimed at enhancing U.S. manufacturing competitiveness has taken another step forward at a meeting hosted by Deere & Co. at its World Headquarters.

At the meeting this week, members of the U.S. Council on Competitiveness reviewed recommendations and discussed priorities for the Council’s National Manufacturing Strategy that will later be presented to the U.S. Administration and Congress.

Deere & Co. Chairman and CEO Samuel R. Allen is also the current chairman of the Council, which includes leaders from business, education and labor.

“Competitiveness is an important priority,” said Allen in a press release. “At John Deere, competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing is important to our employees who know that we compete for customers every day against companies from around the world.”

The Council on Competitiveness is a non-partisan and non-governmental organization that convenes top private and public sector leaders to address America’s long-term competitiveness challenges.

Deere is keenly interested in competitiveness as the company aspires to global growth of its two main equipment businesses – agriculture and construction. Products for export to countries outside the U.S. can total 20 to 30 percent or more of the output at some John Deere factories in the U.S.

“To best serve customers, John Deere is investing in manufacturing facilities in markets around the world, including the U.S.,” said Allen. “We are building factories in key emerging markets and have invested millions of dollars to improve U.S. factories. The focus of our employees and our company is to remain a leader through global competitiveness.”