John Deere, Pierre Bataille and Wood Brothers (Keith, Leonard and Mervel Woods Equipment Co.) are now among the celebrated manufacturers in the off-road equipment industry that have been inducted into the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Hall of Fame.
AEM Hall of Fame inductees are evaluated by an independent panel of industry experts on five criteria “that are vital to the health of the off-road equipment manufacturing industry.”
The criteria include innovation, industry contributions, leadership, corporate citizenship/social responsibility and sustainability.
Summaries from AEM for each of the 2012 honorees with some of the reasons they were selected for induction follow:
John Deere (Deere & Co.)
John Deere was a leader in his day in vision, innovation, and improving the quality of life for his fellow citizens. The company marks its 175th anniversary in 2012, recognizing the significant influence Deere has had for almost two centuries in equipment manufacturing – an impact the Illinois blacksmith could not have imagined when he was first compelled to create tools that have evolved into machinery that helps build and feed the world.
“John Deere” has been synonymous with equipment almost since John Deere moved from New England to Grand Detour, Illinois, where his skills as a blacksmith were immediately in demand. Deere ultimately took his business to Moline, Illinois, which had access to better transportation routes and essential energy sources.
