Quad City-based John Deere is making a new leap into cyberspace. The company held an on-line auction to accept bids from suppliers around the world for 26-million dollars in components for Deere products. Deere spokesman Bill Jacobs says there were 16 bidders, nine of whom were already Deere suppliers. He says all of them got a lot of value out of the experience just learning how fast and smooth it can be done. The bidding process can sometimes take months — but this event was over in four hours. Jacobs says everyone is a winner this way, including the customers. Jacobs says the company is excited about making this type of jump using emerging technology. Deere is one of Iowa’s largest employers and is the world’s leading producer of agricultural equipment and is a top maker of equipment for construction, forestry, and lawn and garden care.
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