John Deere is expanding its Horicon Works, Wisconsin, factory to increase efficiency in the manufacturing of its Gator utility vehicles.
The new 388,000ft² facility will enable production to be carried out at one site. Previously two different factory operations were responsible for specific areas of Gator manufacturing, whereas now both the assembly and shipping operations will be done under one roof.
It is the company’s first major expansion of the Horicon Works site in 30 years and will create around 80 new jobs, with approximately 70 assembly roles and 10 salaried positions, bringing the total workforce to 1,100.
Steve Johnson, factory manager at the Horicon Works factory, said, “The expansion is a huge boon for the community, employees and the factory.
“Now we’ll put each utility vehicle on our assembly line and it will not come off until it is built exactly the way the dealer wants it, ready for shipment worldwide it places everything under our control.
“We will be able to serve our dealers and customers better, improve the overall quality of the vehicles, and make our operations more efficient.”
Production began at the new facility in December last year and the move is due for completion in March 2017.
February 3, 2017
