October 3, 2001

John Deere Purchases Richton to Expand Irrigation Services
 
MOLINE, Ill., Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Deere & Company (NYSE: DE, news, msgs) announced today that it has completed the purchase of Richton International Corporation. The transaction closed yesterday after approval by Richton's stockholders. Deere had entered into an agreement to acquire Richton in May 2001.

Richton has two primary lines of business: Century Supply, the nation's largest distributor of landscape irrigation equipment and the Richton Technology Group, two providers of computer hardware, software and systems support. Irrigation equipment sales make up about 80 percent of Richton's total revenues. Deere will combine the Century Supply distribution business with its previously acquired McGinnis Farms business into John Deere Landscapes, Inc.