More John Deere green is headed for red China. The Moline, Illinois-based Deere & Company will build a new manufacturing facility in Harbin, China. The company, which has plants in five Iowa cities, says the new $80 million plant in China will support increased demand for large agricultural products in that region.

It will produce mid- and large-sized tractors, sprayers, planters and harvesting equipment. The factory will be Deere’s seventh manufacturing location in China, including two joint ventures, and will include metal fabrication, painting and product assembly. Groundbreaking will take place in the third quarter of this year.

The plant is expected to begin manufacturing in late 2012.

By Phil Roberts, Davenport