John Deere Recognizes KellyOCG with Prestigious Supplier Excellence Award for Workforce Solutions
John Deere (NYSE: DE) has awarded KellyOCG, the outsourcing and consulting arm of Kelly Services (NASDAQ: KELYA), its 2025 Supplier Excellence Award for delivering innovative workforce solutions that bolstered the agricultural giant’s global operations. The recognition highlights KellyOCG’s role in addressing critical labor shortages and advancing Deere’s sustainability goals.
Why KellyOCG Earned John Deere’s Top Honor
The annual Supplier Excellence Award, announced May 14, acknowledges partners driving efficiency and innovation in John Deere’s supply chain. KellyOCG stood out for:
- AI-Driven Talent Matching: Reducing time-to-hire by 30% for skilled manufacturing roles.
- Diverse Workforce Recruitment: Increasing underrepresented hires by 22% across Deere’s U.S. facilities.
- Sustainability Alignment: Prioritizing candidates with expertise in green technologies, supporting Deere’s 2030 carbon-neutral targets.
John Deere’s Chief Procurement Officer, Marc Howze, praised KellyOCG’s “agility in scaling high-demand roles,” particularly in electric tractor production and AI-driven farm equipment sectors.
Strategic Partnership Fuels Agricultural Innovation
KellyOCG has partnered with John Deere since 2018, supplying over 15,000 workers annually across 12 countries. Recent collaborations focus on:
- Reskilling Programs: Training 2,500+ Deere employees in automation and robotics.
- Seasonal Workforce Management: Streamlining hiring for peak planting seasons using predictive analytics.
- Global Expansion Support: Staffing new Deere factories in India and Brazil ahead of schedule.
“This award reflects our shared commitment to building a future-ready workforce,” said Peter Quigley, KellyOCG President.
Industry Impact: Tackling Labor Gaps in Agriculture
The recognition comes amid a 17% spike in U.S. agricultural machinery job openings (BLS, 2025), driven by automation adoption. John Deere’s reliance on KellyOCG underscores the sector’s shift toward strategic staffing to address:
- Retirement Waves: 28% of Deere’s skilled workforce is eligible to retire by 2027.
- Tech Skill Demand: 45% of new Deere roles now require AI or IoT expertise.
Stock Performance and Market Response
- John Deere (DE): Shares rose 1.3% post-announcement, continuing a 12% YTD gain.
- Kelly Services (KELYA): Stock climbed 4% on May 14, reflecting investor confidence in its outsourcing growth.
Analyst Take: “KellyOCG’s award cements its niche in technical staffing for heavy industries,” said Morningstar’s Katherine Justice.
Why This Matters
As automation reshapes agriculture, John Deere’s partnership with KellyOCG highlights the critical role of adaptive workforce strategies in maintaining competitive edge. The award signals growing demand for staffing firms that blend tech innovation with sustainability.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of mentioned stocks.
