In an effort to expand its farm equipment portfolio, Deere & Company acquired the intellectual property and related assets for tree planting systems from Risutec Oy, an equipment manufacturer based in Finland. “The acquisition strengthens John Deere's silviculture strategy and its ongoing commitment to providing customers involved in reforestation with solutions for sustainable forestry,” according to a Deere statement.
The value of the purchase has not been revealed. Deere did not announce its production plans for the reforestation products.
Silviculture refers to the management of forests and woodlands, applying techniques like planting, thinning, and harvesting timber to maintain and restore ecosystems.
Deere is widely known for its agricultural equipment but it has been striving to broaden its offerings to a wider range of activities. Recently Deere announced an expansion project for its Kernersville, N.C., excavator plant, part of a broader, 10-year, $20-billion investment in its U.S. manufacturing operations.
Risutec is a specialist in mechanized systems for forest regeneration that reduce manual labor, improve planting speed, and ensure consistent seedling quality. It has various products for large-scale planting, fast planting, and integrated systems that perform site preparation, planting, and watering.
Risutec systems are designed for “reforestation at scale, … One machine with one operator for maximum efficiency and optimal economy.”
"We're excited about the synergies and talent the Risutec team adds to our existing forestry expertise," stated Mary Pat Tubb, vice president of global forestry for John Deere. "Their knowledge of advanced mechanized tree planting solutions and global markets, along with their years of experience and passion for the industry, complements our existing team.”
She continued: “Risutec's products fill out our portfolio and significantly reduce reliance on manual tree planting, thereby reducing labor exposure to extreme weather, terrain and wildlife, while increasing productivity of our customers' operations."