Moline-based John Deere announced today, Wednesday, Jan. 28, it will bring back 99 laid off construction and forestry workers, including 75 who will return to work next month at its Davenport Works complex off Interstate 80.
The global equipment maker laid off hundreds of workers primarily in the ag sector last year due to the lagging economy, tariffs and other factors fueling a decline in farm equipment sales. In a Jan. 28 news release, John Deere said the upcoming return to work at those two plants where workers build large machines for use in construction and forestry reflects “increased production demand and ongoing factory needs.”
Details of the recalls include:
- 75 employees will go back to work at Davenport Works to support production and utility class assembly, articulated dump truck assembly, as well as fabrication, machining, welding, paint, and material handling.
- 24 employees will return to Dubuque Works to support production class dozer assembly and general factory needs in fabrication, assembly, and material handling.
- Employees will return to work starting in mid-February.
“As demand increases, these callbacks help ensure we have skilled teams in place to support production across our construction and forestry operations,” according Mark Dickson, vice president of construction and forestry manufacturing operations.
About the plants
The award-winning Davenport Works has been a cornerstone of John Deere’s construction and forestry equipment production since 1974. The facility produces a range of machines that help build and maintain infrastructure and manage forests worldwide. It is home to six product lines, including production and utility class 4WD loaders, articulated dump trucks, motor graders, skidders, and wheeled feller bunchers.
Located in Dubuque, Iowa, John Deere Dubuque Works has been manufacturing equipment since 1946 and plays a key role in the company’s construction and forestry operations. The facility produces a range of equipment, including crawler dozers, skid steers, backhoes, and forestry machines, and brings engineering, product validation, and manufacturing together on one campus.
Learn more about our commitment to U.S. manufacturing: Building American Since 1837
