Deere Marries Great Dane

[Sammy]

Just read where John Deere has bought Great Dane.

That make you Dane guys happy or sad ?

[bob]

I wonder what their off-spring will look like!

[Lawnworks]

My opinion:

John Deere= Crap
I hope the Dane blueprints are used instead of Deere and not the other way around.

[BRL]

They will probably have to stick with the Dane design because they pay licensing fees to Wright for a few of the technolgies involved with the machines.

[morturf]

it is true.....go here to see it....http://www.deere.com/deerecom/_Newsroom/great_dane_2000.htm

[morturf]

http://www.deere.com/deerecom/_Newsroom/great_dane_2000.htm
try this...lol

[gorrell]

It's been said that it takes a big man to realize his limitations and obviously John Deere has seen that it's commercial line doesn't quite make the grade compared to the "real" commercial lines, so subsequently they've taken a major step forward in improving their presence by acquiring an innovative company such as Great Dane. Lynn

[guntruck]

Lynn, i cant agree with you more, well said!!

Rich
Precision Landscaping LLC

[tpirobert]

So what will be Dane Scag's next company? I'm sure he can't sit back and just enjoy his money:)

[awm]

I REALLY LOOKED HARD AT A 61 DANE BEFORE BUYING
THE EXMARK.NOW IM SO GLAD I DIDNT BUY.
Ihave just too many experiences where i
felt like JD was gouging people to exstream.
Feel sorry for any one who has to go to them
for any repairs.JUST MINE TM COUNTRY

[morturf]

I have to disagree with awm. The JD dealer here is the only one that knows how to fix anything. They are also the only ones that carry any inventory, give a loaner when yours is down, and are willing to let you demo a unit. The current Dane dealer here said "no demo's, they ruin the machine." Which is pretty much what all the dealers here do. I also think it is interesting that as much of an innovator as Dane Scag was, he was about the only major manufacter that did not have a website. How in this day and age he could expect to get his product out to people as savvy as us without the web is amazing. I think that JD is doing the same thing Toro did in buying Exmark, and i think most would agree that exmark still produces a good product. Horizontal integration is as old as it gets, buy the competion. As far as Danes next company(mr. innovator), if any of you have any good ideas and you want to build them, keep them under wraps, he will use the idea, build it, then stand behind a battery of lawyers till the little man gives up. Way to go Wright...they beat him. This is getting off the subject. JD will give Dane a better dealer arm, and service after the sale is the key.

[eslawns]

As I understand it, there will be a lot more of this consolidation in the industry. There are so many mfg's out there, market share has got to suck for everyone not affiliated with Toro. Anyone with their ear to the ground know of any other buyouts? Or how some of the more recent ones are working out? The dealer I usually get equipment from sold Yazoo/Kees. Since Husky bought them, the only things I've seen are orange paint and a price increase.

[rdh]

i had ask my dealer why he dosnt have many danes.
just has about 2 surfers & 1 chairiot but he has over 50
toros & scags he said dane has no financing he has to buy
them.
toro & scag he can leave on floor more time & they
sell before he pays for them he said he has 6 mounths
before he pays.
hope fully deer will fix that.

[Mark]

Hum this will be interesting. I think Dane Scag surely sat down at the table with Deere and somehow made it clear that his design is a must, From what ive read the Dane is his baby,i just can't see much of a change in the danes. But never no might be suprised. Marks Mowing Service

[LWNMWRMN]

eslawns

I have heard that husqvarna is looking to buy snapper

[Sammy]

I think that they bought Yazoo/Kees.

[Davis TLC]

Yes, Husqvarna bought out Yazoo/Kees.

[SpringValley]

I am sorry that Lawnworks thinks JD is crap. I love my Deere F620 and I am buying another this year. If you look at big commerical mowers, ie the F900 or F110 series, Deere has a lot of market share (TORO being the other). Deere just waited too long to scale down into the mid size commercial market.. The dealer makes all the difference. I was working on a job and my chain came off my chain saw. I forgot my tools of any kind as it was going to be a quick in and out. I called my local JD dealer, talked to the service manager about borrowing a wrench and screwdriver. He actually brought it to me because he was taking a mechanic home for the day. Now that is service!!!

I think the Deere/Great Dane merger will be a good one. Deere has the resources to make it work. They will leave everything alone for a year or two and then start marrying manufacturing plants, designs, and dealer networks.

Matt
Spring Valley Landscape & Fence Co.