It’s safe to say that the Cornhusker State has rolled out the red carpet for the Manufacturing Express. Yet no visit to the vibrant Nebraska equipment manufacturing community would be complete without a stop at CLAAS of America’s headquarters. CLAAS has built a stellar reputation producing award-winning—and world-record-breaking agricultural machinery here in the “heart” of Midwestern corn and wheat country.
Founded in 1913 in small-town Germany, CLAAS has always been a trailblazer in the equipment manufacturing industry. They introduced the world’s first European combine harvester. Today, CLAAS offers a wide range of agricultural machinery designed to help farmers optimize their performance in the field. Likewise, consumers across the world have recognized CLAAS equipment for its best-in-class quality: In 2023, they paid $6.6 billion to drive CLAAS combines, forage harvesters, tractors, and more. This past June, the company also celebrated a significant milestone: CLAAS has produced over half a million combine harvesters since 1936.
CLAAS expanded its operations to Omaha, Nebraska in 1999, and has since grown to support more than 120 employees at the Omaha facility alone, and more than 11,000 worldwide. Since 2001, CLAAS has exclusively produced the LEXION combine harvesters for the North American market in Omaha, Nebraska—100% of their equipment is destined for customers across North America.
Here at CLAAS, the flagship showroom displays some of the company’s most remarkable innovations and artifacts. The AEM Manufacturing Express proved a fitting addition to the display, complementing the commemorative 50-year JAGUAR self-propelled forage harvester, which was a focal point of the day’s event.
CLAAS employees, associates, and guests participated in the festivities, including distinguished visitors from the German consulate in Chicago, U.S. Representative Mike Flood, and Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen. Each speaker acknowledged the dedication of CLAAS employees and the company’s significant impact on Nebraska manufacturing and the wider U.S. market. “This color green has everything to do with Nebraska, and today Nebraska celebrates the men and women at CLAAS who have a lasting impact on our state and our community,” Congressman Flood said.
Safety is paramount in the equipment manufacturing industry, and CLAAS goes above and beyond to ensure a safe workplace. Throughout the facility, tributes and reminders emphasize the importance of safety. One notable feature is the “Why We Work Safely Wall,” filled with photos of employees’ loved ones, including spouses, children, parents, grandparents, and even pets. This wall is a constant reminder of the far-reaching impact of each employee’s safety. And above the entrance to the production floor, the company’s safety motto is prominently displayed: “Safety for myself, for my family, for my coworkers.”
Above all, it’s clear that the team at CLAAS supports one another. Each CLAAS employee has a special story to share, from an executive who made the move to support a local Nebraska business, to a lineman who found support from his team to fly home—expense-free—to see an ailing family member. This culture of mutual support and respect has not only strengthened the bonds within the CLAAS family but also propelled the company to new heights. Together, they are not just building machines; they are forging a community where every individual’s contribution is valued and celebrated.
With its commitment to innovation, safety, and community, CLAAS continues to make a lasting impression in the agricultural machinery industry in Nebraska and worldwide.
