John Deere announced an agreement to acquire French precision-planter maker Monosem on November 2, 2015, and completed the purchase on February 3, 2016. Deere said the deal would expand its reach in precision planting and add engineering expertise. The company’s financial disclosures put the cost at approximately $166 million including cash acquired, or approximately $146 million net of $20 million in acquired cash.
When did John Deere acquire Monosem?
The transaction was announced in two distinct stages:
- November 2, 2015: Deere announced that it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire Monosem, which it described as the European market leader in precision planters. The announced footprint covered four facilities in France and two in the United States. Deere’s agreement announcement
- February 3, 2016: Deere announced that the acquisition was complete. Its completion release again described the six facilities as part of the purchase. Deere’s completion announcement
So, 2015 was the announcement year and 2016 was the closing year; the agreement was not first announced in 2016.
Why did Deere buy Monosem?
Deere said it wanted to accelerate its reach in precision planting equipment and add engineering expertise to further develop planting technology. In the 2015 announcement, John May, then Deere’s president of Agricultural Solutions and chief information officer, said: “Through this action, we continue to build on our leadership position in precision agriculture.” Deere also praised Monosem’s innovation in precision planter technology.
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Deere said Monosem would retain its independent nature, brand and trademark. That stated approach distinguished the acquisition from an announced plan to replace Monosem’s identity with Deere branding; it does not, by itself, establish how every later operating decision was handled.
What did the Monosem acquisition cost?
Deere’s first-quarter fiscal 2016 release reported an acquisition cost of approximately $166 million, including cash acquired. Deere’s 2018 annual report later reported approximately $146 million net of $20 million in cash acquired.
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| Disclosure | Reported amount | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Deere first-quarter fiscal 2016 release | Approximately $166 million | Including cash acquired |
| Deere 2018 annual report | Approximately $146 million | Net of $20 million cash acquired |
The figures describe the transaction on different cash bases, rather than conflicting purchase prices. The fiscal 2016 release said Monosem would be included in Deere’s Agriculture and Turf segment. Deere’s first-quarter fiscal 2016 release Deere’s 2018 annual report
What does Monosem make?
Monosem traces its history to 1948. Its official history describes a progression from transplanters to single-seed planters and then pneumatic single-seed planters. The company’s current site presents precision planter families including ValoTerra, NG Plus, NX M/ME, NC, Meca V4/4E and MS, alongside parts, service, maintenance, training and documentation resources. Models and availability may differ by market. Monosem’s company history Monosem’s official site
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Monosem’s history identifies 2016 as the year it joined Deere & Company and 2022 as the launch year of ValoTerra. Deere’s fiscal 2024 annual report lists Monosem among its brands for planters and cultivators in Production and Precision Agriculture, supporting its status as a continuing brand in Deere’s portfolio. Deere’s fiscal 2024 annual report
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the deal’s scope does—and does not—establish
The announcements identify six included facilities—four in France and two in the United States—and Deere’s stated strategic and branding intentions. They do not establish current facility counts, employment levels or Monosem’s present market share. Nor does Deere’s ownership alone establish that a particular Monosem planter or part is interchangeable or compatible with other Deere equipment; consult the product documentation for the relevant machine, configuration and market.
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