In 1837, metal worker John Deere fashioned a polished-steel plow in his Grand Detour, IL, blacksmith shop that lets pioneer farmers cut clean furrows through sticky Midwest prairie soil. Just a year later, John Deere the blacksmith evolved into John Deere, the manufacturer. John Deere has since grown into one of the biggest manufacturers of construction, forestry and agricultural equipment. However, the equipment manufacturer doesnt want to forget how it all started with that very first plow that was produced.

To ensure this historically significant piece of agriculture equipment does not corrode, the famous equipment manufacturer chose hot-dip galvanizing to protect this historical legacy with a statue honoring John Deere. John Deere obviously wanted his legacy to last far into the future, as it has, and now the company wants this statue honoring him to also last far into the future. They have opted to use galvanizing and then duplex coat the statue in order to take full advantage of the synergistic effect. In this rural environment, it will last for many decades, just as the original blacksmith would have wanted. It reinforces the quality that the John Deere brand stands behind, and hot-dip galvanizing is now a part of ensuring this.

The impact here could be worldwide for the galvanizing industry because it evokes the question, "Why galvanize the statue and not the products?" We as an industry need to publicize this instance of one of the top world leaders in the agricultural market using galvanizing in order to make their product last far into the future. This legacy is brought to life at the John Deere Historic Center in Grand Detour, Illinois. This is where it all began and the footprint of his old shop can still be seen. Today, the blacksmith is Rick Trahan and he built this statue of the first plow using the tools of his trade in honor of John Deere. 

The galvanizer is honored to be part of this legacy and to be chosen to help make this statue last long into the future like John Deeres legacy. This statue will be viewed by thousands and will inspire many of our youth going forward. The Historic Center is a desired place to go during the summer months and brings many families to the area. The statue of the first plow was a unique project for the galvanizer. Being constructed by a blacksmith, great care had to be taken to prevent damaging Trahans masterpiece. The durability and sustainability of the galvanized coating will make this a safe and attractive piece of history for decades of families to enjoy.