Deere & Company, universally known as John Deere, is a $52 billion manufacturer of agricultural equipment, construction and forestry machinery, and turf care equipment. The company is headquartered in Moline, Illinois, with major manufacturing operations in Iowa, Illinois, and other Midwest states, plus additional U.S. facilities. Its financial services arm (John Deere Financial) provides financing to dealers and customers.
Deere & Company has a formal supplier diversity program, holds Billion Dollar Roundtable membership, and is a longtime NMSDC and WBENC corporate member. For diverse businesses in manufacturing, engineering, and professional services, Deere is a serious opportunity.
Deere's supplier diversity program
Deere's supplier diversity program is managed through the company's Global Supply Management organization. The company is an NMSDC corporate member, WBENC corporate member, and participates in veteran business programs.
Deere holds Billion Dollar Roundtable membership, certifying annual diverse supplier spend of at least $1 billion. The company publishes supplier diversity metrics in its annual Sustainability Report (available at deere.com/en/sustainability/).
The program has strong roots in the Midwest, reflecting Deere's manufacturing concentration in Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana. Diverse businesses in those states have geographic proximity advantages for facilities and manufacturing categories.
Deere was awarded NMSDC's "America's Top Corporations for Supplier Diversity" recognition in multiple years, reflecting consistent program quality.
Certifications accepted
Deere accepts:
MBE: NMSDC certification from a regional affiliate. Long tracked as an NMSDC corporate member.
WBE: WBENC certification.
SDVOSB/VOSB: Veteran-owned business certifications.
WOSB: SBA WOSB certification.
SDB / 8(a): SBA certification.
LGBTBE: NGLCC certification.
DOBE: Disability:IN certification.
HUBZone: SBA HUBZone certification. Relevant near Deere's Midwest manufacturing facilities.
MBE and WBE are the most consistently tracked certifications at Deere given its NMSDC and WBENC corporate membership structure.
How to register
Deere uses SAP Ariba for procurement management. Supplier registration is through the Ariba Supplier Network.
Registration process:
- Create or access your SAP Ariba account at ariba.com.
- Access Deere's supplier portal through the link at deere.com/suppliers.
- Complete the supplier profile: company information, UEI, NAICS codes, diversity certifications, and capabilities.
- Upload current certification documents.
- Select commodity categories aligned with Deere's sourcing (agricultural equipment components, construction equipment, electronics, services, etc.).
- Submit for review by Deere's Global Supply Management team.
For manufacturing suppliers, Deere conducts a supplier qualification process that includes quality system review. ISO 9001 or IATF 16949 certification is expected for component suppliers. On-site audits may be conducted for strategic supply relationships.
Product and service categories
Deere's agricultural and construction equipment business creates specific sourcing needs:
Metal components and fabrications: Steel structures, castings, forgings, precision machined parts, and fabricated assemblies for equipment production. This is Deere's largest spending category by volume.
Hydraulic systems: Hydraulic cylinders, pumps, motors, and control valves. High-value, technically specialized category.
Electronics and controls: Electronic control units, sensors, displays, and wiring harnesses for Deere's increasingly electronic and connected equipment.
Rubber and sealing products: Seals, hoses, belts, and tires. Large-volume, repeat-purchase category.
Drivetrain components: Gears, transmissions, axles, and drivetrain assemblies.
IT and digital technology: Software development, precision agriculture technology, telematics, and data analytics. Deere's "smart connected" equipment strategy drives significant technology procurement.
Engineering services: Product design, test engineering, and manufacturing engineering support.
Logistics and supply chain: Transportation, warehousing, and materials management for Deere's manufacturing and dealer distribution network.
Professional services: HR, legal, staffing, marketing, communications, and training.
Facilities and maintenance: Building services, construction, and maintenance at Deere's Moline HQ and U.S. manufacturing facilities.
Manufacturing categories require quality certifications and production capability. IT, professional services, and logistics categories are more accessible for diverse businesses without heavy industrial backgrounds.
Quality requirements
Deere's manufacturing supplier qualification is rigorous. Tier-1 component suppliers must demonstrate:
- ISO 9001:2015 certification (minimum) or IATF 16949 for automotive-equivalent processes
- Statistical process control capability
- Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) familiarity
- First article inspection processes
Deere conducts supplier assessments using its own evaluation methodology. Passing a Deere quality assessment is a recognized credential in the industrial manufacturing supply chain.
Spend data and public commitments
Deere's BDR membership confirms annual diverse spend of $1 billion or more. The company's Sustainability Report provides the most detailed public data on diverse spend performance.
Realistic assessment
Deere's BDR membership and multi-decade NMSDC engagement indicate a genuine, mature supplier diversity program. The company buys at scale across manufacturing, technology, and services.
Manufacturing entry requires investment. Quality certifications, manufacturing capability documentation, and a supplier qualification process are all prerequisites. The Midwest geographic concentration matters for manufacturing; facilities-adjacent diverse businesses in Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana have natural access.
IT and technology is a growing category given Deere's precision agriculture and connected equipment strategy. Diverse technology firms with agricultural technology, IoT, or embedded systems expertise have a specific angle here.
Professional services in Moline/Quad Cities (Deere's home market) is more accessible for local diverse businesses.
Timeline: 12 to 24 months for manufacturing. 6 to 12 months for professional services.
Next steps
- Register in the SAP Ariba Network and complete your Deere supplier profile.
- Review Deere's Sustainability Report for current supplier diversity metrics.
- For manufacturing: assess your quality system against ISO 9001 requirements before approaching.
- Obtain NMSDC MBE or WBENC WBE certification. Both are actively tracked by Deere.
- Attend NMSDC Annual Conference where Deere's procurement team participates in matchmaking.
- If you are in the Midwest, engage with NMSDC regional affiliates (Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council or Iowa equivalent) for direct introductions to Deere's supplier diversity team.
Deere's scale, BDR membership, and long-running programs make it a priority target for diverse businesses in manufacturing, technology, and services.
