John Deere Announces Layoffs of 600 Workers at Illinois Plants Amid Sliding Tractor Demand
MOLINE, Illinois — John Deere has confirmed the permanent layoff of 600 production employees across two facilities in its home state, effective immediately, citing a sustained downturn in agricultural equipment sales. The affected positions are at plants in Moline and East Moline, where the company manufactures large tractors and combines. Company officials attribute the reduction to a 20% decline in net sales for the 2024 fiscal year, driven by high interest rates and falling commodity prices that have curbed farmer spending on new machinery. The layoffs mark the largest single workforce cut for Deere and Company this year, with affected workers receiving severance packages and job placement assistance. This development comes as the broader U.S. manufacturing sector continues to face headwinds from global supply chain adjustments and shifting demand.