John Deere Purchases Planting Technology from Risutec

Deere & Company announced the acquisition of the intellectual property and assets of Risutec Oy of Finland, expanding its expertise in mechanized forestry.

Strategic Forestry Procurement

John Deere announced on February 17, 2026 acquisition of intellectual property and related assets from Risutec Oy, a Finnish manufacturer specializing in equipment for mechanized tree planting.

The transaction focuses on technology that enables mechanized tree planting operations in forestry applications, expanding the John Deere Forestry portfolio beyond traditional harvesting and site preparation equipment.

“Today is a milestone day for John Deere Forestry. Our strategic acquisition of Risutec Oy's tree-planting technology represents a major step forward,” said John Deere's Mary Pat Tubb, according to company release.

Vertical Integration in Forestry Equipment

With this acquisition, John Deere strengthens its forestry strategy, offering integrated forest management solutions that now cover the entire cycle: harvesting, site preparation and reforestation through mechanized planting systems.

Risutec Oy is positioned in Finland, a country recognized for its expertise in forestry equipment. Technologies developed in Finnish operating environments are transferable to major forestry regions in North America, South America and other markets where John Deere has a strong presence.

The company did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction or specific details about the technical capabilities acquired.

The acquisition reflects a broader trend of consolidation in the forestry equipment sector as established agricultural equipment manufacturers integrate specialized forestry technologies into their portfolios.

The transition from manual to mechanized planting is a significant development in commercial forestry operations, driven by labour shortages in the forest sector, pressure to increase reforestation rates and large-scale cost-efficiency requirements.

Equipment manufacturers are moving towards offering comprehensive solutions for the entire forest management cycle, rather than machines with singular functionality. This approach allows forest operators to benefit from integrated systems from a single supplier.

The move comes amid global pressures for sustainable forestry practices and carbon sequestration initiatives, which amplify the strategic importance of reforestation technologies.