Agricultural equipment manufacturer John Deere says it will build a R33-million marketing, customer and training centre near Johannesburg International Airport in Ekurhuleni.

John Deere MD Pieter Nel said last week the company's new head office would be housed at the facility. It is currently based in Nigel.

Nel said the new facility would keep the group abreast of the latest global technological developments and training trends.

The group has appointed architectural and urban-planning firm Osmond Lange to design the facility.

Osmond Lange's previous projects include Melrose Arch, Nestlé's distribution facility Longmeadow, Grosvenor Corner in Rosebank and the Clicks distribution centre in Centurion.

More recently, Osmond Lange was jointly appointed to develop the central terminal at Johannesburg International Airport.

"It is a great privilege to have been appointed to handle the John Deere project from assisting in identifying the site to designing the building and overseeing the construction," Paul Whitehead, director of Osmond Lange said.

John Deere said the new facility would have a test track for prospective buyers to test drive tractors.

Building is expected to commence in March and is scheduled for completion in November.

Two months ago, John Deere concluded a deal with local earthmoving equipment manufacturer Bell Equipment in terms of which the tractor maker has licensed Bell Equipment to manufacture John Deere tractor loader backhoes and front-end loaders.

John Deere will manufacture Bell Equipment's articulated trucks in North America. John Deere is a 32% shareholder in Bell Equipment.

Business Day