John Deere has acquired GUSS Automation, LLC, a globally recognized leader in supervised high-value crop autonomy and centered on its cutting-edge global unmanned sprayer system. It is headquartered in Kingsburg, California.
The acquisition was announced last week by the Moline-based global equipmaker. It builds on the two companies’ existing joint venture established in 2022. It also advances John Deere’s commitment to helping high-value crop growers address their biggest challenges around labor availability, input costs and crop protection, Deere said in a news release.
“Fully integrating GUSS into the John Deere portfolio is a continuation of our dedication to serving high-value crop customers with advanced, scalable technologies to help them do more with less,” Julien Le Vely, director, Production Systems, High Value & Small Acre Crops at John Deere, the company said in the Wednesday, Aug. 27 release.
“GUSS brings a proven solution to a fast-growing segment of agriculture, and its team has a deep understanding of customer needs in orchards and vineyards,” he added. “We’re excited to have them fully part of the John Deere team.”
Founded by Dave Crinklaw in 2018, GUSS manufactures autonomous sprayers that can be remotely supervised by a single operator who can manage up to eight machines at once. Using GPS, LiDAR and proprietary software, GUSS machines navigate vineyards and orchards with precision to help reduce operator error, labor costs and material waste.
To date, more than 250 GUSS machines have been deployed globally, accounting for 2.6 million acres sprayed over 500,000 autonomous hours.
“Joining John Deere enables us to tap into their unmatched innovative capabilities in precision agriculture technologies to bring our solutions to more growers around the world,” Gary Thompson, chief operations officer at GUSS, said in the release.
Making ‘greater impact’
“Our team is passionate about helping high-value crop growers increase their efficiency and productivity in their operations, and together with John Deere, we will have the ability to have an even greater impact,” Mr. Thompson added.
GUSS traces its roots to 1982, when Dave Crinklaw and his father Bob started an agriculture spray business called Crinklaw Farm Services (CFS), the company’s website says.
“Armed with two tractors, a commitment to exceptional service, and a willingness to work, Dave and Bob got their start spraying an average of 40 acres a day. They quickly earned a reputation with farmers in the central San Joaquin Valley, and CFS began to grow.”
It also focused on innovation and under Dave Crinklaw’s direction CFS developed the industry’s first 3- and 4-row vineyard sprayers, mechanical vineyard pruners, and the Tree-See orchard sprayer, the company said. GUSS, the latest of its innovations, was developed in-house to address common pain points associated with CFS’s orchard spraying business.
After the Deere acquisition, GUSS sprayers will continue to be sold and serviced exclusively through John Deere dealers, as they are today, Deere said. The business will retain its name, brand, employees and manufacturing facility in Kingsburg.
At the same time, Deere said it will support GUSS in expanding its global reach and accelerating innovation, including continued integration with other John Deere precision agriculture technologies, such as Smart Apply, which enables targeted spraying that offers the opportunity for up to 50% savings on chemical and water use.
GUSS’ manufacturing operations also expand John Deere’s U.S. manufacturing footprint to the heart of the country’s high-value crop production market, the Fortune 100 company said. GUSS sprayers will continue to use John Deere Power Systems engines, first integrated in 2024.
