Deere Announces Ottumwa Recall

MOLINE, Illinois.— Deere & Company said today that the majority of manufacturing employees who had been on layoff at the John Deere Ottumwa Works are being recalled.

Deere said 452 manufacturing employees will be recalled beginning November 30th with all of those employees expected to be back to work before the company’s annual holiday shutdown, which begins December 23rd.

The company said employees will begin production of new 2010 models. However, 78 employees will remain on layoff until market conditions improve enough to require the additional workforce.

Deere had placed the majority of the manufacturing workforce at Ottumwa on layoff earlier this year to align factory production with market demand. In total, the Ottumwa Works employs approximately 260 salaried employees and 720 wage employees, including those who remain on layoff.

The John Deere Ottumwa Works manufactures balers, mower conditioners, windrowers, and pull-type forage harvesters used by hay and livestock producers.