A.C. McCartney

Deere & Company, founded in 1837, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of agricultural, forestry and construction equipment, and a supplier of equipment used in lawn, grounds and turf care. The company also manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment, and provides landscape and worldwide financial services. It produces and markets a wide range of lawn and garden tractors, mowers, and other outdoor power products for homeowners and commercial users. The company s landscapes division provides irrigation equipment and nursery supplies to landscape-service professionals throughout the United States. Its parts division coordinates the distribution and management of parts inventory and materials. The company also provides related services such as pricing, systems, support, forecasting and planning, and analysis to the company's equipment divisions. Robert W. Lane has been the chief executive officer of Deere & Company for more than six years. He has been with the capital goods company for over 24 years. Lane earned a BBA degree from Wheaton College, and a MBA from the University of Chicago. Deere & Company is headquartered in Moline, Ill.

The John Deere Parts Distribution Center was established in 1975 to provide timely and efficient delivery of service parts to depots, independent dealers and customers throughout the world. The center houses a multitude of different parts in Milan, Ill. It is the primary facility operated by Deere & Company for parts distribution in North America. The John Deere Parts Distribution Center utilizes the latest technology for efficient receiving, storing, picking and shipping. The center ships as many as 450,000 orders weekly. A sophisticated computer network links John Deere's North American and European distribution centers with 20 regional depots and all dealers worldwide. The advanced linkage enables a global database to match factory production and parts purchases with demand.