John Deere to Close Pair of Iowa Factories

Farm equipment manufacturer John Deere has announced plans to close two of its Iowa factories over the next two years.

According to a November 4 release, the company will close its Ottumwa, Iowa, plant by October 28, 2028, and shift its operations to a separate facility in Ankeny, Iowa. It will also look to shut down its Clarion, Iowa, factory by October 30, 2028, and move its production to a plant in Thibodaux, Louisiana. 

Additionally, John Deere will shift sugar cane harvester production from Thibodaux to be consolidated in Catalão, Brazil, in the 2029 fiscal year, to move manufacturing closer to a larger concentration of customer demand in South America.

“As markets, technologies, and customer expectations evolve, John Deere continually evaluates its manufacturing footprint to ensure it is well-positioned to serve customers and compete globally,” the company said. “That work includes streamlining operations, [and] expanding capacity where it creates the most value.”

The company added that it will engage with employees and union representatives at affected facilities in the months to come, and that it doesn’t expect any disruptions to production.

Despite the downsizing and consolidating, John Deere reaffirmed its commitment to U.S. manufacturing. In 2025, the company committed to investing $20 billion in domestic production, which included plans to expand its American manufacturing footprint, grow its U.S. workforce, and upgrade facilities in more than a dozen states.