Deere & Company says it intends to buy precision drill maker Monosem and its four facilities in France and the US in a deal expected to be concluded in January.

The company, based in western France, produces mechanical and air seeders for sugar beet, maize and vegetable crops, exporting 70% of production to some 80 countries around the world.

Dominique Bergère, president of Monosem, says the business will remain an independent company with no changes to product distribution.

“We are keeping the same brand name and trademark and the same high-quality products and services, and we don’t intend to market Monosem products through any channel other than Monosem dealers and distributors,” she says.

“For John Deere, the acquisition will give us further access to markets outside the United States, and the chance to learn from Monosem’s unique knowledge, skills, and expertise in the industry”
Aaron Wetzel, John Deere

“The difference is that Monosem will have the full support and commitment of John Deere to enhance this already successful global precision planting and cultivator business.”

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Senior John Deere executive Aaron Wetzel, head of crop care products, said: “For John Deere, the acquisition will give us further access to markets outside the United States, and the chance to learn from Monosem’s unique knowledge, skills, and expertise in the industry.”

Steve Twist of Toucan Farm Machinery, the UK distributor if Monosem’s products, added that the business is on the up, thanks to growers adopting strip-till techniques for oilseed rape, sugar beet and maize.