Gleason Corporation announced that its Gleason Cutting Tools Corporation facility in Rockford, Illinois has for the second year in a row earned Partner-level status in the John Deere Achieving Excellence Program. This status is Deere & Company’s highest supplier rating. Suppliers who participate in Deere & Company’s Achieving Excellence program are evaluated annually in several key performance categories including quality, cost management, delivery, technical support and wavelength, which is a measure of responsiveness. John Deere created the program in 1991 to provide a supplier evaluation and feedback process that promotes continuous improvement. Robert P. Phillips, senior vice president – tooling products group and Gleason Cutting Tools Corporation said “Gleason Cutting Tools Corporation is proud to be a supplier to John Deere, and are honored to have our performance recognized at such a high level for the second year in a row.” Partner-level status was awarded to Gleason Cutting Tools Corporation for all cutting tool products and services provided by Gleason to the John Deere operations in Waterloo and Des Moines, Iowa.