US tractor and agri-equipment major John Deere is planning to expand the capacity of its plant at Sanaswadi, Pune by 50%.Adel Zakaria, executive VP of Deere & Company, USA, said its Indian arm, John Deere India, will expand capacity from 30,000 units to 45,000 units in the next two years. He did not disclose the investment the company would make for the proposed expansion.John Deere India currently makes tractors with capacities between 40 and 65 HP. Top company sources said the company may consider expanding the capacity range but continue with the 5,000 platform on which the current products are based.Zakariah also indicated that the parent company may bring a range of drip irrigation products to India, which have come to their fold after the acquisition of a company in US engaged in the drip irrigation business. He said the company also saw major scope in sourcing agricultural implements that go with its tractors."We don't make implements in the capacity range that is relevant for India but can think of designing these in the global research facility and then develop Indian manufacturers to make them," Zakariah said.The company is in the process of doubling the number of professionals in its technology centre in Pune to 800.
