John Deere Construction & Forestry Company (Deere) and Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. (Hitachi) have a long and successful global partnership spanning multiple continents and product lines. This partnership has served both companies well and supported each company’s global growth over the multi-decade relationship.

As part of this partnership and since 1989, Hitachi Construction Machinery (Australia) Pty Ltd (HCA) have distributed Deere branded and manufactured construction, forestry, and compact machinery. However, as our joint businesses have expanded over the years, so have each company’s priorities in various markets around the globe. As a result, after 29 years of distribution Deere, Hitachi, and HCA have agreed to end the current distribution arrangement in Australia and increase focus on our individual product lines. Over the course of the next five months Deere and HCA will work together to execute a seamless transition of business to John Deere Limited’s newly appointed construction and forestry dealers in Australia.

As of May 1st, 2019, RDO Equipment Pty Ltd (RDO Equipment) will be appointed the authorized John Deere Construction & Forestry Dealer for John Deere Limited in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory. AFGRI Equipment Pty Ltd (AFGRI Equipment) will be appointed the authorized John Deere Construction & Forestry dealer for John Deere Limited in Western Australia. In the coming weeks both RDO Equipment and AFGRI Equipment will make separate press releases and/or communications in their respective areas of responsibility about this transition.

HCA, John Deere Limited, RDO Equipment and AFGRI Equipment are committed to working together to ensure this transition has minimal impact on customers’ access to machines, parts, and/or service. Similarly, HCA, John Deere Limited, RDO Equipment and AFGRI Equipment are committed to smoothly transitioning customers who have existing agreements and service contracts with HCA.

“We thank John Deere for the partnership that has been enjoyed over the last 29 years but ultimately we believe this change in distribution will allow HCA to increase our focus on our brands, and provide an improved experience to customers across Australia.” said David Harvey, Managing Director of Hitachi Construction Machinery (Australia) Pty Ltd. The changes announced in this press release have no impact on Deere-Hitachi partnerships or distribution arrangements outside of Australia.