John Deere has announced the expansion of its construction equipment line-up to 18 countries across Southern and West Africa, where Deere-branded construction products were previously not available.

This expansion, which will include backhoe loaders, excavators, wheel loaders, motor graders and crawler dozers, will be sold and supported by independent, newly appointed John Deere dealers, still to be announced.

The countries included on the list are South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, eSwatini, Namibia, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, Angola, Malawi, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Egypt, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and Sudan.

“This expansion provides an opportunity for us to increase our global footprint in the construction industry, as we build upon our existing presence in Africa and deliver our product portfolio under the John Deere brand for the first time to these key markets,” says John Deere Africa Middle East MD Jaco Beyers.

This expansion marks the first time that the John Deere construction products will be sold under the John Deere name in these markets.

In this new era, John Deere is taking control of the marketing and support of its own branded construction products.

Customers in these markets will also have access to product support through the John Deere dealer network.

All John Deere construction equipment will be supported and serviced by certified equipment technicians, who, in turn, will be supported by a network of regional parts distribution centres, including one in Kempton Park, Gauteng.

Customers will also have access to the John Deere suite of technology solutions, including JDLinkTM Telematics.

“We have a deep-rooted presence in Africa in the agriculture market, and we know construction customers in these markets are eager for access to the John Deere brand and its many advantages,” says John Deere Africa Middle East construction and forestry sales manager Griffiths Makgate.

John Deere forestry products already available in the 18 affected markets are set to be aligned with the same new dealership network.