John Deere's worldwide Commercial & Consumer Equipment (C&CE) Division has concluded an agreement with Ecology Group Enschede BV, an affiliate of Citadel Industries of Hilversum in The Netherlands, to sell its John Deere Enschede factory, effective immediately. The Netherlands factory produces a number of commercial mower models for Western European and North American markets.
Under the terms of the transaction, Deere will sell a portion of the ongoing activities and assets of John Deere Fabriek Enschede to Ecology Group Enschede BV. The agreement also contains provisions for the continuation of traditional John Deere Enschede products as well as the continued assembly of small chassis compact utility tractors, selected rotary mower decks and jumbo reels. All of these products will continue to be available exclusively under the John Deere brand name and through the John Deere dealer network throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EAME).
Customers in the UK and Ireland can continue to buy the 500 and 900 triple and 1905 five-gang cylinder mower models, and the 997 zero-turn mower will be produced in the US for the American and European markets. Spare parts and servicing for all current and previous Enschede products will continue to be available through the John Deere dealer network.
According to Citadel Industries' Ecology Group, this acquisition fits into Citadel's strategy to scale up and expand its product portfolio, engineering and manufacturing activities. "Citadel Industries has a wide range of products and attachments within the company's Ecology Group Enschede BV, with brands such as Herder, Votex and Votex Whirlwind," says Anton Paardekooper, managing director of Ecology Group Enschede BV.
Website: www.johndeere.co.uk
