CLAAS
CLAAS is a German agricultural machinery manufacturer founded in 1913, producing high-horsepower combine harvesters, forage harvesters, and tractors for large-scale commercial farms globally. The company employs 10,000+ people and distributes through an authorized dealer network across multiple continents.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1913
- HeadquartersHarsewinkel, Germany
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What CLAAS does
CLAAS is a privately held German agricultural machinery manufacturer founded in 1913 and headquartered in Harsewinkel. Operating as CLAAS KGaA mbH with 10,000+ employees, the company specializes in high-horsepower harvesting equipment and tractors, with flagship product lines including the JAGUAR 900 and JAGUAR 1200 forage harvesters (delivering up to 925 hp and 400 t/h throughput with patented SHREDLAGE technology), LEXION and DOMINATOR combine harvesters, and the XERION 12 Series tractors (up to 650 hp, built on over 25 years of large tractor experience). CLAAS sells primarily to large-scale commercial farming operations, with secondary engagement in government-led agricultural modernization programs and specialty crop segments, distributing through an authorized dealer network spanning Europe, North America, Central Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
The company's technology stack centers on proprietary mechanical innovations and an emerging digital ecosystem. CLAAS co-developed the VariPower telehandler transmission with Liebherr, holds the SHREDLAGE patent for cornstalk processing, and is consolidating its digital footprint by replacing 365FarmNet with the CLAAS connect platform from November 2026, which integrates precision agriculture tools, telematics, farm management, and equipment connectivity. AI and automation capabilities are delivered through partnerships, including a strategic investment in Pheno-Inspect (drone-based crop analysis computer vision), co-organization of the GOFAR Tour for agricultural robotics, and embedded precision agriculture systems across the machinery fleet. At Agritechnica 2025, CLAAS signaled a strategic repositioning from a harvester-focused manufacturer toward a full-line equipment company with emphasis on digitalization and automation.
CLAAS generates revenue primarily through hardware sales of agricultural machinery, supplemented by spare parts, accessories, and service and customer support packages. Pricing is quote-based through the dealer channel and is not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market combines enterprise field sales via authorized dealers (including genAG locations across the US upper Midwest) with event-driven engagement at major trade shows such as Agritechnica and Farm Progress Show, plus co-organized field demonstrations. In 2025, CLAAS maintained sales levels while major competitors AGCO, CNH, and John Deere reported declines, indicating counter-cyclical resilience amid challenging agricultural market conditions. Forward expansion includes a new North American R&D Center under construction in Omaha, Nebraska, deeper Central Asia entry via a Fergana region partnership in Uzbekistan, and continued dealer network investment in the Dakotas, Iowa, and Minnesota.
CLAAS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CLAAS
- Legal name
- CLAAS KGaA mbH
- Website
- https://claas-gruppe.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1913
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- CLAAS is a German agricultural machinery manufacturer founded in 1913, producing high-horsepower combine harvesters, forage harvesters, and tractors for large-scale commercial farms globally. The company employs 10,000+ people and distributes through an authorized dealer network across multiple continents.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CLAAS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Machinery
- NAICS
- Farm Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing (333111), Agricultural Implement Manufacturing (33311)
- SIC
- Farm Machinery & Equipment (3523)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Harvesting & Forage Equipment (IMAHACAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Tractors & Power Units (IMAHACAA), Farm Material Handling & Attachments (Loaders/Implements) (IMAHACAI)
Keywords
Where CLAAS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Harsewinkel
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
CLAAS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Agricultural Equipment Sales: Primary revenue from manufacturing and selling agricultural machinery including combine harvesters, tractors, and forage harvesters
- Spare Parts & Accessories: Revenue from replacement parts and accessories for CLAAS equipment
- Service & Customer Support: Service packages and customer support offerings for CLAAS machinery
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
CLAAS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CLAAS manufactures and sells agricultural engineering equipment, principally combine harvesters (LEXION and DOMINATOR series), high-capacity forage harvesters (JAGUAR 900 and JAGUAR 1200), and high-horsepower tractors (XERION 12 up to 650 hp). The equipment is complemented by the CLAAS connect digital platform that integrates precision agriculture tools, telematics, and farm management for professional farming operations.
Product overview
CLAAS is a leading German agricultural machinery manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio centered on high-performance harvesting equipment and expanding high-horsepower tractor lines. The core product family includes JAGUAR forage harvesters (JAGUAR 900 up to 925 hp, JAGUAR 1200 with world record performance), combine harvesters (Lexion and DOMINATOR series), and the flagship XERION 12 Series tractors (up to 650 hp). These are complemented by intelligent management systems providing GPS navigation, telematics, and precision agriculture capabilities integrated through the CLAAS connect digital platform. The company is transitioning from its traditional harvester-focused identity toward becoming a full-line equipment manufacturer with strong emphasis on digitalisation, automation, and smart farming solutions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CLAAS connect: Digital platform for connecting with CLAAS machines and accessing farm management features
- XERION
- LEXION
- JAGUAR
- DOMINATOR
Products and services
- XERION 12 Series Flagship high-horsepower tractor series up to 650 hp with smart farming solutions, operator assistance systems, and profitability-focused design. Built for large-scale commercial farming operations.
- JAGUAR 900 / JAGUAR 1200 Forage Harvester High-capacity forage harvester series delivering up to 925 hp, throughput up to 400 t/h, with patented SHREDLAGE corncracker technology and advanced operator assistance. Used by large-scale forage operations and livestock farms.
- LEXION / DOMINATOR Combine Harvesters Full line of combine harvesters including the LEXION 8500 and DOMINATOR series, designed to harvest grain efficiently, precisely, comfortably, and reliably across diverse crop and market conditions.
- CLAAS connect Digital platform connecting CLAAS machines with farm management capabilities; replaces 365FarmNet from November 2026. Provides precision agriculture tools, equipment data integration, and a unified digital ecosystem for farm operations.
Quantifiable outcome
- XERION 12 won five international awards in 2024 for innovation, profitability, and unique design
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use CLAAS
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CLAAS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature5 records
CLAAS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.
- 365FarmNet Transition PartnerscoreCLAAS is consolidating the digital agriculture ecosystem by planning to fully replace 365FarmNet with CLAAS connect from November 2026, integrating precision tools via subscription and service models.
- Global Organisation For Agricultural Robotics (GOFAR)minorCLAAS co-organizes the GOFAR Tour 2026 celebrating the organization's 10th anniversary, hosting field days with robot demonstrations of autonomous weeding, precision spraying, navigation, and harvesting assistance for orchards, vineyards, and perennial crops.
- LiebherrcoreJoint development of VariPower telehandler transmission technology combining hydrostatic and mechanical power delivery elements for precise handling work and high-speed road travel capabilities.
- Fergana Region Government (Uzbekistan)majorGovernor of Fergana region met with CLAAS Regional Director Volker Günter Zettl to discuss agricultural modernization. Agreements include creation of regional training center, dual education system implementation, and modernization using DOMINATOR combines, tractors, and intelligent management systems.
- Pheno-InspectcoreAgricultural AI start-up from Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany, developing AI software that analyzes drone images of agricultural land to count plants, detect weeds and diseases. CLAAS is participating as a strategic partner alongside NRW.BANK (EUR 500,000 investment) and private investors through the Companisto business angel network.
- Industry Workforce Training InitiativeminorCLAAS is investing in workforce training alongside Caterpillar, AGCO, Titan Machinery, and Ford to address skilled labor shortage by equipping next generation with skills in automation, robotics, and manufacturing trades.
- Minnesota Trade PartnershipminorMinnesota Governor Tim Walz led trade mission to Switzerland and Germany including visit to CLAAS Berlin office, focusing on relationship-building to support Minnesota agricultural exports and deepen agricultural trade partnerships.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CLAAS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SDF Group (Same Deutz-Fahr):
- AGCO Corporation: Global full-line ag equipment OEM whose brands (Fendt, Massey Ferguson, Valtra, Gleaner, Hesston) overlap directly with CLAAS in tractors, combines, and hay/forage equipment — a closely comparable competitor and frequent pricing/technology benchmark.
Broad incumbents
- CNH Industrial: Parent of Case IH and New Holland, two of the largest full-line ag equipment brands globally, directly competing with CLAAS in tractors, combines, and forage harvesters; broader product portfolio and larger scale position it as a major incumbent peer.
- John Deere (Deere & Company): Largest global full-line agricultural machinery manufacturer, offering tractors, combines, and forage harvesters that directly compete with CLAAS's core product portfolio; broader geographic reach and deeper digital ecosystem (Operations Center) make it CLAAS's primary competitive benchmark.
- Kubota Corporation: Major Japanese-origin tractor and farm equipment manufacturer with growing presence in North America and Europe; competes with CLAAS in compact and mid-range tractors and increasingly in precision-ag/digital offerings.
Regional players
- Mahindra & Mahindra (Farm Equipment): World's largest tractor manufacturer by volume, dominant in India and other emerging markets; comparable to CLAAS in the tractor product category though focused on lower horsepower segments and different geographies.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CLAAS social profiles
Digital presenceCLAAS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CLAAS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
CLAAS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CLAAS M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CLAAS
What does CLAAS do?
CLAAS manufactures and sells agricultural engineering equipment, principally combine harvesters (LEXION and DOMINATOR series), high-capacity forage harvesters (JAGUAR 900 and JAGUAR 1200), and high-horsepower tractors (XERION 12 up to 650 hp). The equipment is complemented by the CLAAS connect digital platform that integrates precision agriculture tools, telematics, and farm management for professional farming operations.
Is CLAAS a public or private company?
CLAAS is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was CLAAS founded?
CLAAS was founded in 1913. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is CLAAS based?
CLAAS is headquartered in Harsewinkel, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does CLAAS make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Agricultural Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are spare Parts & Accessories and service & Customer Support.
Who are CLAAS's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SDF Group (Same Deutz-Fahr) and AGCO Corporation. Broad incumbents are CNH Industrial, John Deere (Deere & Company) and Kubota Corporation. Mahindra & Mahindra (Farm Equipment) is listed as a regional player.
Does CLAAS have an API?
No public API is recorded for CLAAS.
What industry is CLAAS in?
CLAAS's product category is Agricultural Machinery. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHACAD, Harvesting & Forage Equipment, with a secondary code of IMAHACAA, Tractors & Power Units. Its NAICS code is 333111 and its SIC code is 3523.