Deere To Purchase Bauer Built Manufacturing &
Review Strategic Options For Its Water Operations

Deere & Company announced plans to purchase Iowa-based Bauer Built Manufacturing. Bauer has previously partnered with Deere to make co-branded planters since 2002. Bauer makes 44- to 120-feet ultra-wide DB Series planters at its plant in Paton, IA.

Under the purchase agreement, Deere will buy the manufacturing facility, equipment and inventory at the Bauer facility plus the designs and intellectual property of Bauer.

“John Deere intends to accelerate the growth of its planter business globally,” said Aaron Wetzel, vice president of the crop care platform in Deere’s Worldwide Agriculture & Turf Division. “This objective is in line with John Deere’s strategy to fully understand the needs of customers and deliver products and services that enhance our customers’ productivity.”

The deal is expected to be completed by the end of October 2013.

Deere also recently announced it will review strategic options for its irrigation operations known as John Deere Water and has retained Bank of America Merrill Lynch as exclusive financial advisor to assist in the initiative. Deere said no formal decisions have been made and no agreements have been reached concerning the company’s irrigation operations.

Deere noted that effective water management remains an important part of agriculture worldwide. The company will continue to develop and offer products and services to help customers better manage agronomic activities in the field.

Deere has been involved in the production of irrigation products for the past seven years.