In Strike, Local Dealer Has Parts

By Debby Stricker

Despite a strike of John Deere production workers, Riechmann Bros. in Okawville still has parts available, said company president Bill Riechmann. He doesn’t expect any immediate interruption of parts availability at Riechmann’s locations that also include Breese, Centralia and Farina. “This depends on how long the strike lasts,” Riechmann said.

Over 10,000 United Auto Workers went out on strike Thursday. That idled 14 U.S. John Deere factories, including four in Illinois, seven in Iowa, and one each in Kansas, Colorado, and Georgia.

Riechmanns continues to sell 2022 models of combines, tractors, and other equipment, but does not promise a delivery date. The business  does not keep an inventory of new large tractors and combines  because customers prefer to order to their specifications of numerous options available.