Key Takeaways:
- John Deere finalizes acquisition of GUSS Automation, advancing high-value crop autonomy solutions.
- GUSS manufactures autonomous sprayers capable of being remotely supervised, reducing labor needs and material waste.
- More than 250 GUSS machines have been deployed globally, covering 2.6 million acres and 500,000 autonomous hours.
- GUSS sprayers will continue to be sold and serviced exclusively through Deere’s dealers.
- Acquisition strengthens integration with the company’s precision agriculture portfolio, including Smart Apply®.
John Deere Expanding High-Value Crop Solutions
John Deere (NYSE: DE) announced the full acquisition of GUSS Automation, LLC, a leader in supervised high-value crop autonomy based in Kingsburg, California. The deal builds on a joint venture established in 2022 and reflects John Deere’s focus on providing advanced, scalable technologies to help orchard and vineyard growers address labor shortages, rising input costs, and crop protection challenges.
“Fully integrating GUSS into the John Deere portfolio is a continuation of our dedication to serving high-value crop customers with advanced, scalable technologies to help them do more with less,” said Julien Le Vely, Director of Production Systems, High Value & Small Acre Crops, at John Deere.
GUSS Technology and Global Reach
Founded in 2018 by Dave Crinklaw, GUSS develops autonomous sprayers that use GPS, LiDAR, and proprietary software to navigate orchards and vineyards. One operator can remotely manage up to eight sprayers, reducing labor costs, operator error, and material waste.
More than 250 machines have been deployed worldwide, collectively spraying 2.6 million acres and completing over 500,000 autonomous hours. GUSS sprayers will continue to be sold and serviced through Deere’s dealer network, with operations remaining in Kingsburg under the existing brand and leadership.
“Joining John Deere enables us to tap into their unmatched innovative capabilities in precision agriculture technologies to bring our solutions to more growers around the world,” said Gary Thompson, COO at GUSS.
John Deere’s Integration and Future Innovation
The company plans to expand GUSS’ global presence while integrating its technologies into the broader precision agriculture portfolio. This includes pairing GUSS sprayers with Smart Apply®, John Deere’s targeted spraying system that can reduce chemical and water use by up to 50 percent.
The acquisition also expands the company’s U.S. manufacturing footprint in the core of the high-value crop production region, with GUSS sprayers continuing to operate with John Deere Power Systems engines.
John Deere
Deere & Company, operating as John Deere, is an American corporation headquartered in Moline, Illinois. The company manufactures agricultural machinery, heavy equipment, forestry machinery, diesel engines, and drivetrains, as well as offering financial services and related activities.
Deere is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DE. The company’s well-known slogan is “Nothing Runs Like a Deere,” and it has used a leaping deer logo in various forms for over 155 years. In 2022, it ranked No. 84 on the Fortune 500 list of the largest U.S. corporations. Its tractor series include D Series, E Series, Specialty Tractors, Super Heavy Duty Tractors, and JDLink.
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