Deere & Company Acquires NavCom Technology, Inc; A Provider of Precise Positioning and Data Communications
MOLINE, Ill., Nov. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Deere & Company announced today the acquisition of NavCom Technology, Inc. Headquartered in Redondo Beach, CA, NavCom systems and products use GPS satellites, communications satellites and wireless communications media for the acquisition, processing and delivery of precise positioning data.
Applications of NavCom products and systems are used for off-road, agricultural, construction, lawn care and golf course vehicles, as well as on-highway vehicles and for surveying and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Deere & Company previously owned a minority interest in the company.
NavCom will be incorporated into the John Deere Special Technologies Group (JDSTG). JDSTG, headquartered in Atlanta, GA, was formed by Deere & Company in March, 1999 with the acquisition of Interag Technologies and its Phoenix International and Agris Corporation businesses.
The Special Technologies Group coordinates Deere & Company's adoption of new electronic technologies into equipment and provides technology-enabled services to customers worldwide. Additionally, JDSTG provides a broad range of complementary customer management tools provided as desktop software delivered via the Internet.
"NavCom's involvement with Deere & Company began with Deere's GreenStar precision farming system in 1994 and has expanded into many areas of Deere's product activities. The commitment by the most senior Deere management to information systems leadership motivated the NavCom shareholder-employees to join with Deere & Company," said James D. Litton, who co-founded NavCom and remains as the company's president.
NavCom will continue to provide specialized positioning services to current customers, as well seek to expand its non-Deere customer bases, Litton said.
"John Deere Special Technologies Group provides leading-edge electronics and software products in the areas of vehicle communication and global positioning. Fully acquiring NavCom will help ensure our strategy is successful," said Charles R. Stamp, Jr., president, John Deere Special Technologies Group.
Deere & Company is the world's leading producer of agricultural equipment as well as a leading manufacturer of equipment for construction, forestry, lawn, turf and grounds care. Additionally, Deere provides credit and managed care services.
Contact: Ken Golden of Deere & Company, 309-765-5678, e-mail, goldenken@jdcorp.deere.com