MOLINE, IL – Lou-Rich, a contract manufacturer based headquartered in Albert Lea, MN, has earned recognition as a Partner-level supplier for 2025 in the John Deere Achieving Excellence Program.

John Deere annually evaluates and awards their Achieving Excellence Partner-level honors to companies who meet standards for Delivery, Quality, Process Alignment, Relationship, and Value Creation. The Partner-level status is Deere & Company’s highest supplier rating.

Lou-Rich Vice President – General Manager Lee Gulbrandson and Program Manager Tyle Christensen accepted the recognition during formal ceremonies held in March in Moline, IL.

Lou-Rich supplies many components to Deere & Company including Spray pipes, transmission, combine and tractor components.

“Lou-Rich has supported John Deere for more than 50 years,” said Christensen, “I treat the John Deere account the same as any other account. I do my best to support the customer while keeping Lou-Rich interests at the forefront.

“The award affirms Lou-Rich’s commitment to meeting the very highest standards in manufacturing and working as a partner with the companies it works with,” added Gulbrandson.

Suppliers who participate in the Achieving Excellence program are evaluated annually in several key performance categories, including quality, delivery, process alignments, value creation and relationship. John Deere Supply Management created the program in 1991 to provide a supplier evaluation and feedback process that promotes continuous improvement.

Lou-Rich Provides a variety of Manufacturing services including:

  • Fabrication & Welding – From light-gauge metal to heavy plate stainless, our expert welders bring precision to every project.
  • Machining Solutions – With 40+ CNC machining centers, we handle complex geometries with precision tolerances.
  • Assembly Solutions – SO-certified assembly solutions, ranging from sub-assemblies to fully finished products.
  • Painting & Finishing – In-house powder coating and finishing processes ensure a durable, high-quality finish.
  • Complex Manufacturing – Taking on projects others shy away from – we specialize in intricate designs and problem-solving.
  • Engineering – Our engineers ensure seamless integration from design to production, optimizing efficiency.