Just found this on the web....wonder if it is a prelim to a buyout?
JOHN DEERE ANNOUNCES MARKETING AGREEMENT WITH STIHL INC. AND STIHL LTD.
STIHL Inc. and STIHL Ltd. Named John Deere's Preferred Supplier of Handheld Outdoor Power Equipment
CARY, North Carolina (July 29, 200
— John Deere's Worldwide Commercial & Consumer Equipment Division announces STIHL Inc. and STIHL Ltd. as the preferred supplier of gas powered and corded handheld power equipment in the United States and Canada. The announcement unites two premium brands within the outdoor power equipment industry and provides residential and commercial customers shopping at John Deere dealers the best of both worlds.
"For over 170 years, John Deere has remained committed to providing its customers an exemplary experience in the form of durable, high-quality products and service solutions," said Bob Barbour, Group Director, Marketing Operations and Customer Support for the Worldwide Commercial & Consumer Equipment Division. "Partnering with STIHL, a recognized brand that shares a proven quality record within the powered handheld equipment industry, enables us to provide our customers a complete portfolio of outdoor product solutions."
The existing John Deere branded handheld power equipment will soon be substituted with the STIHL portfolio at qualifying John Deere servicing dealers across North America. Barbour said, "This decision will enable us to better support growth strategies and offer our customers an industry leading brand of property owner and commercial grade portable power products." Joint marketing efforts will take place between John Deere and STIHL to increase awareness of both brands' product offerings at qualifying John Deere dealer locations.