Business established by August Claas at Clarholz, Westphalia
1914
August, Franz jun. and Bernhard Claas found the firm of Gebr. CLAAS
1919
Move to Harsewinkel. Manufacture of straw binders
1921
First CLAAS patent for a knotter for efficient straw binding
1930
Start of development of the first combine harvester (specially suited to the specific conditions of harvesting in Europe) )
1931
Production of the first straw balers.
1936
CLAAS markets the first combine harvester built in and for Europe
1937
Volume production of trailed combine harvester starts (reaper-binder)
1946
Construction of the first self-propelled combine harvester
1953
Construction of the first self-propelled combine harvester
1956
Paderborn factory opened
1962
Production starts at the new baler factory at Metz, France
1968
Launch of CLAAS engineering for production at Harsewinkel
1969
Range expands to include green harvest machinery at Saulgau (takeover of the Josef Bautz agri- cultural machinery factory)
1970
Market launch of the CLAAS Dominator 80, introducing the most successful series of combine harvesters the world has ever seen.
1971
Development of a pick-up sugar cane harvester
1973
Presentation of the first self- propelled forage harvester
1976
ROLLANT, the first CLAAS round baler
1983
New range of JAGUAR self-propelled forage harvesters
1986
Establishment of the CLAAS Vertriebsgesellschaft sales company (CVG).
1988
QUADRANT, the first CLAAS large-square baler
1992
CLAAS engineering for production at the new Beelen factory, Westphalia
1994
Start of development of AGROCOM (electronic, satellite-assisted agricultural information system)
1995
Launch of the LEXION large combine harvester (the most powerful combine harvester in the world, capable of harvesting up to 40 tonnes of grain in one hour)
1996
Conversion of the Harsewinkel, Paderborn and Metz plants into independent product companies
1997
Takeover of a new plant at Törökszentmiklos, Hungary
1998
Establishment of the AGROCOM GmbH & Co. Agrarsysteme KG limited partnership for agricultural information systems and farm management software.
1999
Establishment of the CLAAS agricultural technology careers foundation (CLAAS Stiftung zur Förderung des landtechnischen Nachwuchses).
Construction of a new combine harvester plant in Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
Establishment of CLAAS Financial Services S.A.S. (CFS).
2000
New parts logistics centre at Hamm-Uentrop becomes operational
2001
Laying of the foundation stone for the brand-new factory building and plant conversion at Harsewinkel. At € 55 million, this is the biggest-ever corporate investment.
2002
Takeover of Brötje Automation GmbH by CLAAS Fertigungstechnik GmbH (CFT).
2003
CLAAS expands its product range with tractors through the acquisition of a majority stake in RENAULT Agriculture.
Combine number 400,000 - a LEXION 480 - leaves the plant in Harsewinkel
2004
JAGUAR's anniversary: the 20.000th forage harvester leaves the assembly line with a special coat of lacquer.
The CLAAS tractor is on the road to success in Germany. The 1000th tractor is handed over during the "Zentralwirtschaftsfest" in Munich.
2005
Opening of the combine factory in Krasnodar, South-Russia.
A new class is defined with the LEXION 600.
2006
With the AXION CLAAS sets new standards for performance and comfort.
Formation of the new CLAAS sales company in Moscow.
2007
Unveiling of the new TUCANO combine harvester, a premium machine in the upper-middle segment with all the performance features of the LEXION class.
Laying of the foundation stone of a second combine harvester plant in India, at Chandigarh.
2008
RENAULT Agriculture now 100% CLAAS.
Inauguration of the Crop Tiger plant in Chandigarh, India.
Inauguration of the TECHNOPARC in Krasnodar, Russia.
CLAAS launches the AXOS, a versatile tractor in the power range up to 100 hp.
2009
Introduction of the new compact-class AVERO combine harvester.
New XERION 5000 tops 500 hp.
CLAAS Agrosystems brings together the electronics expertise of the CLAAS Group.
Formation of a new CLAAS sales company in Poland.
2010
The 1000th XERION rolls off the production line, with a special white paint finish to mark the occasion.
Opening of the new technology centre in Harsewinkel.
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The CLAAS Museum
The CLAAS Museum offers interesting facts and information from times past. ...more
Fun & Shop.
CLAAS models delight children and collectors the world over. ...more
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