Business established by August Claas at Clarholz, Westphalia
1914
August and Franz 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) )
1934
Manufacture of the first pick-up baler
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)
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
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
LEXION combine harvester is »Machine of the Year«
1999
CLAAS Foundation set up. First company bonds issued on the Euro capital market
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
Highest-ever sales achieved: € 1,265 million
2003
CLAAS expands its product range with tractors through the acquisition of a majority stake in RENAULT Agriculture. In order to build a plant, CLAAS signs an investment agreement with the Russian region Krasnodar.
2004
Integration of RENAULT Agriculture.
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.
Tenth financial partners meeting with international investors, analysts and bank representatives.
2005
Opening of the combine factory in Krasnodar, South-Russia.
Successful launch of the new models ARES 500/600.
A new class is defined with the LEXION 600.
One can do more - XERION 3000.
2006
Presentation of the new square baler QUADRANT 3400 with 40 percent higher performance.
Opening of new XERION assembly line.
With the AXION CLAAS sets new standards for performance and comfort.
Formation of the new CLAAS sales company in Moscow.
2007
ARION 500/600 - New rules up to 175 hp.
Forage harvesters with more power - the JAGUAR 900 range.
Now AXION tractors also stepless.
XERION 3800 with a maximum performance of 379 hp.
Highest acreage performance and best forage quality with the LINER 2900.
The new TUCANO combine in the upper middle class.
With new pre-chamber - QUADRANT 3200.
2008
RENAULT Agriculture now 100% CLAAS.
LINER 750 TWIN - large working width, lower power rating and more ease of use.
The combine factory in Morinda, North-India, starts production.
CLAAS launches the AXOS, a versatile tractor in the power range up to 100 hp.
JAGUAR 980-930 offers outstanding performances and super chopping quality.
2009
50 years of CLAAS in Metz-Woippy.
CLAAS India delivers the he 3000th CROP TIGER 30 with TERRA TRAC.
With the ARION 400 model series the CLAAS tractor range has grown.
Two gold medals and one silver medal for CLAAS Innovations at the Agritechnica.
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.
Your way to the products
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
