John Deere is planning to bring back more 375 employees to work across its Quad Cities factory operations. Once hired, John Deere will have welcomed 800 employees since January across Iowa and Illinois.
The Seeding and Cylinder Operations in Moline will see 150 employees return. Meanwhile, approximately 225 employees will return to Harvester Works in East Moline. The goal for the additional workforce is to help build dealer inventory ahead of upcoming planting and harvest cycles, support long-term operational planning, and position the company to continue serving customers through all operating environments, including future labor negotiations.
“Planning ahead is part of our commitment to customers and our manufacturing workforce,” says Dustin Lemmon, spokesperson at John Deere. “We’re pleased to welcome experienced team members back to our Quad Cities operations. Their skills and craftsmanship directly support the quality equipment our farmers and contractors depend on. Our focus remains on serving customers while continuing to work constructively with our workforce and union partners.”
John Deere’s 2025 layoffs included 238 workers across three sites in East Moline, Ill., Moline, Ill., and Waterloo, Iowa. The news of the returning employees comes weeks after the United Auto Workers rejected John Deere’s proposed contract extension.
