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| Inducted: |
2004 |
| Region: |
U.S. |
| Industry: |
Manufacturing
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Hans Becherer joined Deere & Company in 1962 after receiving an MBA from Harvard University. Becherer served in a variety of marketing and management positions and in May 1990, was elected chairman of Deere & Company. Becherer stressed "genuine value", building on strategies of continuous improvement and global growth.
During his term, Deere's lawn-and-grounds-care equipment operations – part of farm equipment operations – became a separate operating division. In 1991, the company purchased SABO, a European maker of lawn mowers. Two years later, lawn-and-garden equipment sales topped $1 billion for the first time.
With the opening of the John Deere Pavilion in Moline, Illinois, in 1997, John Deere became a major player in the tourist industry. The Pavilion, with equipment displays and interactive exhibits, is one of the state's top tourist destinations.
In 1999, Deere & Company posted worldwide net sales and revenues of $11.7 billion and net income of $239 million. Becherer retired in May 2000. |
