Deere to combine divisions, cut 200 jobs

MOLINE, ILLINOIS: Deere & Co plans to combine its agricultural equipment division and its commercial and consumer equipment unit, resulting in the elimination of about 200 salaried jobs.

Deere said Tuesday the new operating model, effective May 1, will help it meet customer needs more efficiently and cut costs. The job cuts will take effect by the end of September.

The new unit will be called the agriculture and turf division, and will have two presidents. David C Everitt will be responsible for tractors and the turf and utility product platforms. Markwart von Pentz will oversee crop harvesting, hay and forage and crop care product platforms.

Deere expects to take about $25 million in pretax charges mainly in the fourth quarter of 2009.