Here’s the latest I can verify about John Deere Dubuque Works based on recent reporting:
In 2026, John Deere began recalling workers at Dubuque Works as production ramped up again in response to growing demand for construction and forestry equipment, with additional recalls across related plants in Iowa. This indicates ongoing adjustments to workforce levels rather than permanent closures at the Dubuque site.[3][4][7]
There were also reports in early 2026 of periodic recalls and back-and-forth staffing changes tied to production shifts, including a small number of employees returning to Dubuque Works and Davenport Works to support increased output. This suggests Dubuque remains active as part of John Deere’s broader Midwest manufacturing footprint.[2][4][7]
Separately, Deere announced plans in 2024-2025 to relocate some mid-frame skid steer loader and compact track loader production from Dubuque to a new facility in Ramos, Mexico, by 2026, while Dubuque would continue to manufacture other heavy equipment like large-frame loaders, backhoes, and various crawler and knuckleboom machines. The move was framed as a strategic optimization to address costs and improve efficiency rather than a shutdown of the Dubuque Works plant.[1]
There were broader Midwest workforce reductions at other Deere facilities around 2024-2025 (e.g., Davenport and Waterloo) as part of market-driven adjustments; however, Dubuque remained a focal point for both layoffs earlier in the period and subsequent recoveries in 2026.[4][5][7]
If you’d like, I can pull more targeted updates (e.g., any official company press releases, WARN notices for Dubuque, or local news clips) and summarize them in a tight timeline with worker impact details. I can also create a simple chart showing the pacing of recalls versus relocations to help visualize the current status.
The following is a statement released to Iowa's News Now from John Deere on Monday, March 30, 2020: "John Deere is temporarily suspended production at its Dubuque Works factory to allow for enhanced measures to protect employees during the COVID-19 outbreak. This weekend, the factory was notified of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in an employee of the facility.
cbs2iowa.comJohn Deere announced that 27 additional employees will return to work at its Dubuque Works facility to support factory operations in fabrication, assembly and m
cbs2iowa.comMore than 600 production workers at John Deere plants in East Moline, Davenport and in Dubuque, will be laid off effective Aug. 30, the Moline-based
quadcitiesbusiness.comSome positive economic news for the Dubuque area today: John Deere says some of its workforce will be returning to their jobs in mid-February at the Dubuque Works facility. Today Deere officials announced due to increased production
www.radiodubuque.comJohn Deere officials announced that some production will be relocated from the Dubuque Works plant to a new facility in Mexico.
en.as.comDUBUQUE and DAVENPORT, Iowa (April 13, 2026) — John Deere announced that nearly 50 additional employees will return to work in April across its Dubuque Works and Davenport Works facilities in Iowa and Coffeyville Works in Kansas. The callbacks support growing production needs in construction, forestry and drivetrain component operations.
www.constructionbusinessowner.comJohn Deere is set to move some production from Dubuque to a new facility in Ramos, Mexico, by 2026.The company is currently acquiring land in Ramos, Mexico, to
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