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Plant Tour -- John Deere Horicon Works Location: Horicon, Wisconsin Number of Tours: 1 TOUR IS FULL Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2008 Departure time from convention center: 11:30 AM Approximate arrival time back to convention center: 4:45 PM About The Plant John Deere is known for being a progressive manufacturer with world-class practices. It's Horicon Works facility has won many awards for their continuous improvement efforts including the Deere Product Quality System Bronze Certification in 2007, the Deere Production System Gold Certification in 2005 and 2007, the Deere Production System Silver Certification in 2004 and 2006, and the Wisconsin Forward Award in 1999. Employing 1,150 associates, the 1.2 million square-foot facility produces Premium Riding Lawn Equipment (EZtrak, X300, X500, X700), Utility Vehicles (CX, Military, HPX, XUV), Attachments (Snow Blades, Snow Throwers, Tillers), Greens Mowers, Stampings and Service Parts. Continuous Improvement in Action Participants will begin their tour with a presentation on "Reducing Manufacturing Complexity through Product Design." Continuous improvement initiatives will be observed by walking the floor highlighted by their AMES (Assembly Manufacturing Execution System). This system is a no fault forward assembly system that delivers model specific quality controls and specific work instructions, reduces finished goods inventory, reduces their zero-hour warrantee claims and provides visible assembly aids and controls. Please Note: Appropriate dress code: No rings may be worn in the factory. Please be sure that you can remove your rings before you arrive. No dangling jewelry, hoop ear rings or long necklaces may be worn in the factory. Watches, smaller ear rings, shorter necklaces are acceptable. Safety glasses with side shields are required. Head phones or ear plugs must be worn at all times in the factory. Steel toed shoes with metatarsal protection are required. John Deere will provide eye protection, hearing protection and foot protection but, you are welcome to use your own if they meet the requirements listed above. No pictures may be taken in the factory. Boxed lunch will be provided on the bus. PRECLUSION STATEMENT: IW may be required to preclude attendees from taking part in certain plant tours. This step will be taken solely by IW at the request of our host plant based upon the proprietary nature of information that is to be presented. The host plants' decisions are final and will be communicated to attendees in advance. Some participants on the tour may be asked to complete a Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA).

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