The History of Claas – From Family Workshop to Global Leader

The History of Claas – From Family Workshop to Global Leader

22.07.2025

The Beginning – From Local Craftsmanship to the First Towed Combine Harvester

It All Started in 1913

The story of CLAAS doesn’t begin with massive factories or international trade. It begins with a family business grounded in practicality, craftsmanship, and a clear vision. In 1913, August Claas established a small workshop in Clarholz, Germany, dedicated to repairing and manufacturing agricultural equipment. The company’s early focus was not on combine harvesters or harvest machinery, but rather on multi-purpose agricultural tools such as cream separators and preservation equipment.

What is today one of the world’s leading manufacturers of agricultural machinery began as a modest rural enterprise with big ambitions. However, even in the first years after World War I, the company started to specialize in machines supporting grain harvesting—most notably straw balers.

MDB – Europe’s First Towed Combine Harvester

The real breakthrough came in 1936 when CLAAS introduced the MDB model, the first European towed combine harvester. Pulled by a tractor, this innovative machine could thresh while moving through the field—an enormous leap forward compared to the stationary threshing machines of the era. Though it lacked self-propulsion or a grain tank, the MDB combined multiple operations and significantly reduced the need for manual labor.

This development set a new standard in harvest mechanization. Shortly afterward, CLAAS released the SUPER model, which became the workhorse of European farms for several decades.

Post-War Growth and the First Self-Propelled Harvesters

After World War II, the urgent need to rebuild the agricultural sector propelled CLAAS to new heights. In 1953, the company unveiled its first self-propelled combine harvester – the CLAAS SF. This marked a turning point: the machine no longer required an external tractor and featured integrated systems for threshing, movement, and transportation. It became a template for the modern combine.

During the 1960s and 1970s, CLAAS solidified its position as a market leader in Western Europe. Its Harsewinkel plant began producing thousands of machines annually – not only combines but also balers, forage harvesters, mowers, and headers.

The company also built a wide-reaching sales and service network, enabling it to reach farmers in dozens of countries—including those behind the Iron Curtain.

Family-Driven Identity Behind Industrial Scale

Despite its industrial growth, CLAAS has remained a family-owned company to this day. The Claas family continues to guide the business, ensuring long-term strategic vision and independence.

This management structure has encouraged not just stability but continuous investment in engineering talent and R&D. CLAAS has consistently prioritized quality manufacturing combined with mechanical innovation, precision hydraulics, and early electronics integration.

CLAAS in Bulgaria: From the Communist Era to the 21st Century

Although CLAAS formally entered the Bulgarian market after 1989, its presence began as early as the late 1970s and early 1980s. Through Soviet channels or cooperative imports, early CLAAS machines—especially the CLAAS Dominator—began appearing in Bulgarian fields. Known for their reliability, ease of maintenance, and high output, these models quickly earned the trust of local farmers.

Even today, it's not uncommon to see a Dominator from the 1980s still operating on smaller farms across Bulgaria. This endurance reflects the legendary longevity of CLAAS machines—a key reason why the brand remains highly respected in the region.

Explore available used CLAAS equipment on Agritec.bg

Technological Leap at the End of the 20th Century

By the late 1990s, CLAAS entered a decisive phase of innovation that would establish it as a global technological leader in the harvesting industry. It launched the now-legendary LEXION series, developed in partnership with Caterpillar, allowing CLAAS to firmly enter the North American market.

LEXION combines are distinguished by:

• APS hybrid threshing system that integrates both drum and rotor components.
• High fuel efficiency thanks to optimized transmissions and smart engine control systems.
• Modern ergonomics and digital onboard systems that enable precision control from the cab.

This era marked the dawn of CLAAS’s electronic age. The introduction of onboard computers, yield sensors, automated settings, and telemetry systems laid the foundation for the company’s digital transformation—an evolution.

CLAAS in the New Millennium: The Digital Farming Era

In the early 21st century, CLAAS transitioned from a traditional machinery manufacturer to a high-tech agricultural company, offering not just harvesting equipment but also integrated solutions for optimization, monitoring, and data-driven farm management. In 2003, CLAAS acquired a majority stake in Renault Agriculture’s tractor division, and by 2006, the company fully integrated and rebranded it as CLAAS Tractor. This strategic move expanded CLAAS’s portfolio with in-house tractor lines such as ARION, AXION, and ELIOS—all under the CLAAS name.

Key digital innovations included:

• CLAAS TELEMATICS – real-time tracking and data monitoring for machines;
• CEBIS – an advanced onboard computer controlling all functions;
• CMOTION – a multifunction joystick enabling one-handed operation.

These systems improved fuel efficiency, reduced downtime, increased productivity, and provided actionable insights for farm management.

Global Reach: CLAAS as an International Brand

To meet the growing global demand, CLAAS expanded manufacturing beyond Europe. In addition to its main Harsewinkel plant, the company established facilities in:

• Russia (Krasnodar, pre-2022) – tractors and attachments for the CIS market;
• India – for the local and broader Asian markets;
• USA (Omaha, Nebraska) – LEXION combine harvesters tailored for North America;
• China and South America – logistics, assembly, and training centers.

CLAAS has become a global provider of agricultural technology, now operating in over 140 countries.

Standing Out Against Industry Giants

On the global stage, CLAAS competes with brands like John Deere, New Holland, and Case IH. Yet, it continues to distinguish itself through:

• Superior automation via systems like CEMOS and RTK GPS guidance;
• Operator comfort – quiet cabins, ergonomic controls, and touchscreen displays;
• Lower maintenance costs thanks to modular machine design;
• Adaptability across crops, soil types, and farm sizes.

CLAAS is often the preferred brand among professionals seeking maximum efficiency and long-term value.

CLAAS in Bulgaria: Trust Built Over Generations

In Bulgaria, CLAAS has strengthened its presence not only in new equipment sales but also as a market leader in used combines and tractors. Farmers appreciate CLAAS for:

• Durability and reliability under demanding field conditions;
• Ease of maintenance and local availability of parts and service;
• High resale value on the second-hand market.

Popular models in the region include the LEXION, ARION, AXION, and DOMINATOR series.

 View CLAAS equipment available at Agritec.bg

Sustainable Agriculture and Green Technologies

In response to climate change and tightening EU environmental regulations, CLAAS focuses on eco-efficient machinery:

• Compliance with Stage V emission standards;
• Automatic threshing deactivation when yield is zero;
• Automatic header lift during turns;
• Path optimization to reduce overlapping passes;
• Residue management tailored to crop and field needs.

These solutions improve productivity while protecting soil health and natural resources.

Award-Winning Innovation and Global Recognition

CLAAS has received numerous international awards for its commitment to innovation:

• Machine of the Year – for LEXION, JAGUAR, and AXION series;
• Red Dot Design Award – for the CEMOS interface and operator cabin;
• Top honors from DLG, Agritechnica, SIMA, and other global exhibitions.

CLAAS and the Autonomous Future

Today, CLAAS is developing autonomous agricultural systems capable of:

• RTK GPS-based self-navigation across fields;
• Real-time yield and moisture data adjustment;
• Machine-to-machine communication for synchronized teamwork.

The goal is to create a fully intelligent and collaborative field ecosystem with minimal operator input.

Why Farmers Remain Loyal to CLAAS

CLAAS offers more than machinery—it provides long-term partnership and trust. Farmers choose CLAAS because of:

• Over 110 years of innovation and reliability;
• Flexible solutions for farms of all sizes and needs;
• Seamless options for both new and used equipment with no compromise in performance.

Visit Agritec.bg to find your next CLAAS machine