The World’s Testing Ground

Argentina’s total agricultural land covers around 157.4 million hectares. In the country’s centre, where fields are so big they disappear over the horizon and the smells of farming are noticeable just a few kilometres outside of the big cities, lies a strategic location where CLAAS drives its commitment to innovation: Oncativo. From this small town of just over 14,000 inhabitants, located more than 80 kilometres from Córdoba, the provincial capital,is this key agricultural are, machines are prepared, tested, and adapted—machines that not only fuel national production but also supply the entire Southern part of Latin America. Welcome to CLAAS’s testing ground for the world.

The Nucleus or “zona núcleo”: Endless Plains That test machines to their limits.

Oncativo is one of ten CLAAS sites in Argentina, a country located 12,000 kilometres from Harsewinkel, Germany. The “pampas,” as this productive region is known—named for its vast, fertile plains—are home to some of the world’s most demanding and technologically advanced producers, with farming on an international scale rarely matched elsewhere. Within this area, the “zona núcleo” stands out for its high productivity, soil quality and moisture, and a growing season that pushes producers to sow and harvest for much of the year. Here, crops are bulky, work intensity is high, and long hours under challenging weather conditions are the norm.

But these demanding conditions aren’t unique to Argentina. Neighboring countries like Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Chile follow similar production cycles, placing equally high demands on agricultural machinery. That’s why CLAAS chose this Southern Hemisphere region as a testing ground—where growing seasons are opposite to Europe’s—allowing technologies to be tested during Europe’s winter months.

“The Argentine countryside is much tougher on our machines than many other places,” explains Dietmar Rühe, Head of Field Team and current President of CLAAS Argentina. “Here, we harvest twice a year, temperatures can be extreme, and working hours are much longer than in Europe. This makes the region ideal for testing and developing our most advanced solutions.”

Oncativo: A Strategic Centre for the South of Latin America

CLAAS Argentina is the brand’s only subsidiary in the Latin America. Founded in January 2000, it reinforces and distributes machines throughout Argentina and also to Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Chile.

The site serves not only as a logistics centre—with a bonded warehouse receiving units directly from Germany—but also houses the assembly line for reinforcing machines and the CLAAS Academy, as well as regional technical training centre.

“At Oncativo, we adapt and reinforce machines arriving from Germany to face the local conditions. About 120 machines pass through the assembly line each season,” says Emiliano Sánchez, head of assembly. “Here, we reinforce the most heavily worn parts, fit specific tires, install local spreaders for combines, and carry out thorough testing and calibrations to ensure each machine is ready to work thousands of hectares, delivering excellent performance.”

The process is divided into eight stations, each responsible for a specific tasks and every step is digitally recorded. Since 2023, the plant holds an ISO 9001 certification, validating its processes against international quality standards.

Demanding Machines, Service to Match

A forage harvester in Argentina can operate up to 900 hours per year, covering more than 3,000 hectares. In Europe, those numbers drop to about a third. The same holds true for combines. This difference in workload requires redesigning and reinforcing several components—especially those related to grain handling, where friction and wear can be extreme.

“The workload ratio of a machine in South America versus one in Europe is roughly 3 to 1,” sums up Daniel Manelli, Head of Technical Service at CLAAS Argentina. “This speaks to the high demands, but also to the adaptability of our brand.”

Today, CLAAS Argentina has ten strategically located sites across the country, connected through the SAP system. This ensures full traceability of spare parts history and 24/7 technical support, strengthening relationships with producers.

“From the beginning, CLAAS in Argentina has never been just an importer. Here, we develop, adapt, provide service, and build lifelong relationships with every customer,” emphasizes Reynaldo Postacchini, Vice President of CLAAS Argentina and a key figure in the brand’s expansion across South America.

Technology and Training: Key to the Future

Beyond assembly and refurbishment, Oncativo is also a technical training centre. The CLAAS Academy trains technicians and operators from across the region, replicating the training programs provided in Germany. It currently features three classrooms and a workshop area with a total capacity of 96 people.

“We serve as a regional knowledge hub. Technicians come from all over the continent to learn how to maximise the potential of our machines,” says Manelli.

This transfer of knowledge is crucial to ensuring CLAAS combines continue to deliver maximum performance under the world’s toughest conditions.

A Shared Passion

Everyone at CLAAS Argentina works with passion and commitment. From machine assemblers to sales leaders, they all share the mission of bringing the best technology to South America’s farming communities.

“There’s a lot of loyalty to the brand, both from our customers and our employees. I’m proud to be part of this team,” says Rühe.

CLAAS Argentina celebrated its 25th anniversary in January 2025. Over this time, it has strengthened its presence not only through the quality of its products but also through close connections with those who work the land.

“Helmut Claas used to say, ‘I am a manufacturer who stands beside the farmer.’ That phrase continues to guide us,” concludes Postacchini.

Five facts about Oncativo.

1.

Oncativo is a city in the Department of Río Segundo, in the Province of Córdoba, Argentina. It is strategically located in the centre of the country, 76 kilometres from the city of Cordoba, in the heart of the agricultural core zone.

2.

The city was born around the station of the Central Argentinian Railway and was officially founded on September 1st, 1869. Its development was strongly linked to the agro-industrial growth of the region.

3.

With just over 14,000 inhabitants according to the national census, Oncativo combines the quiet pace of an inland town with a strong productive dynamism linked to agriculture.

4.

Oncativo is nationally recognized for hosting the National Homemade Salami Festival (typical Argentinean sausages), an event that celebrates the local gastronomic tradition and attracts thousands of visitors every year.

5.

Thanks to its location in the agricultural heart of the country, Oncativo has consolidated its position as a strategic pole for agro-industrial companies, including CLAAS, which from here prepares and distributes machinery for the South American region.