John Deere recently opened its new Intelligent Solutions Group facility in central Iowa. The 134,000-square-foot facility in Urbandale is devoted to problem solving with technology, collaboration, testing and development for John Deere precision products and services. 

Although the ISG building is new, John Deere ISG employees have been creating advanced technology for more than 25 years, incorporating machine learning, connectivity, computer vision, robotics and sensors for use in John Deere farm equipment.

“By locating our development teams in the heartland, we are ideally positioned to be close to the farming challenges John Deere is actively working to solve on behalf of our customers,” says John Stone, senior vice president for John Deere ISG. “Our new ISG facility in Urbandale further emphasizes the role Deere has as a technology leader with an equal commitment to agriculture and technology, supported by our tech-first presence in the Midwest.”

Unique design inside and out

Inside the building, John Deere worked hard to create a collaborative, inclusive workspace for employees with open workspaces. “This was an efficient and cost-effective design,” Stone says. Conference room walls are made from recycled denim to reduce waste going into landfills, and from sustainably forested woods. Should space requirements change in the future, the walls can be easily reconfigured to create a new workspace. 

FOSTERING INNOVATION: Inside the new ISG building is a uniquely designed open workspace for employees, encouraging them to share ideas and information.  

Outside the building, soybeans, corn, cotton, oats and sunflowers that were planted earlier in the year can be found on what ISG calls the Front 40 Farm. “The Front 40 Farm gives employees who may not have grown up on a farm a glimpse into the lifecycle of crops and the ability to see the finished product of what our customers produce,” Stone says. “It’s an everyday reminder of why their work matters and the customers it impacts.”

Bringing innovation to farmers

Stone says John Deere has a legacy of bringing meaningful innovation to the market, “and our latest expansion reflects our continued commitment. Being easily connected to our customers allows us to have a deep understanding of what is really needed to make the difficult job of farming easier and more precise. That knowledge is directly incorporated into every product we create.”

Significant ISG milestones and innovations include:

By opening the ISG facility, Stone says John Deere expects to generate interest among potential employees in the Midwest and the Silicon Prairie.

“John Deere employees who are working in technology are making a real difference,” he says, “especially when it comes to helping feed a growing global population.”

For more information, visit johndeere.com.

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