“India is one of the world’s top grain producers and represents a crucial market for our agribusiness,” said Kemal Shoshi, president of Yanmar Agribusiness Co., Ltd.. “This acquisition will enable us to offer a wider range of products, significantly enhancing Yanmar’s presence in India. We look forward to leveraging both companies’ strengths to deliver Yanmar’s products to more customers.”

CLAAS Group CEO Jan-Hendrik Mohr stated: “CLAAS and Yanmar share numerous common values such as a strong commitment to technical quality, reliable machinery, and building strong relationships with stakeholders, in particular agricultural customers. We extend our best wishes to Yanmar for their future endeavors in the Indian agricultural machinery market. CLAAS will continue to stand behind CLAAS machinery and further grow its engineering and sourcing activities in India.”

| Member since 2022

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Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows the Port of Baltimore received almost $1 billion in imported tractors over 174 horsepower last year, representing 70% of all tractor imports in that horsepower category. This was up 60% year-over-year from $603 million in imports in 2022.

The Port of Baltimore has played a growing role in importing high horsepower tractors since 2017, growing from handling 48% to now 70% of these imported tractors. For the first 2 months of 2024, the Port of Baltimore reported over $100 million in imported tractors over 174 horsepower, 59% of total imports.

The Port of Baltimore plays an even more significant role in exporting this category of tractors, seeing over $1.5 billion in these exports last year, 83% of total exports. For the first 2 months of the year, Baltimore handled 93% of all exports for tractors over 174 horsepower.

With the port forecast to see only limited operations throughout May, this could result in hundreds of millions of dollars of high horsepower tractors imports and exports being diverted to other ports. Since 2017, the average value of exports of tractors over 174 horsepower coming through Baltimore in April and May has been $173.7 million, with 2023 April and May exports valued at $167.4 million. Average imports in April and May since 2017 come in at $65 million, and 2023 imports in this horsepower category came in at $166 million.

CLAAS Senior Vice President Eric Raby said the company is already redirecting imports from Baltimore. This included an initial delivery of forage harvesters and tractors, most of which were bound for dealers. Raby stated the company is currently seeing 5-7 day delays on equipment deliveries.

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CLAAS of America is pleased to announce that David December has joined the company as Head of Sales and Marketing. David brings with him an extensive background in sales, marketing, and global communications with a number of prominent agricultural and industrial brands.

“We are excited to add David December to our senior leadership team,” explained Eric Raby, Senior Vice President, Americas, for CLAAS. “I’m extremely confident that his experience, education and deep understanding of the agriculture market will make him a valuable asset in his new role leading the sales and marketing departments.”

In previous positions, David successfully implemented marketing strategies that expanded brand awareness, increased channel sales, and improved product positioning.

Most recently, he was the Vice President of Marketing for a large equipment dealership where he optimized and replaced the existing e-commerce presence, developed a strong brand strategy, and monetized tech support. He met his objectives by increasing the company’s strategic communications and staying well informed about the equipment, emerging technologies, and trends within the industry.

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The Claas Group Executive Board will consist of five members from Oct. 1, 2023. In addition to CEO Jan-Hendrik Mohr and the newly appointed Thomas Spiering, these are CFO Henner Böttcher, Dr. Martin von Hoyningen-Huene (BUs Tractors & Forage, Technology & Systems Division) and Christian Radons (BU Sales & Service).

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“With innovative features and a bold design, these tractors will become the go-to choice for farmers looking to take their productivity to the next level,” says Frans Reijmers, tractor product manager for Claas North America. “We have taken into account the valuable input our customers have given us, and we are excited to see how these tractors will deliver on their needs.”

Xerion 12: The new Xerion 12 Series is launching with two models: the Xerion 12.650 and 12.590, built with high-torque Mercedes-Benz six-cylinder engines with 15.6 l cubic capacity, coming in at 653 and 585 hp, respectively. Its low-engine speed concept brings a maximum power output at 1600 rpm, maximum torque at 1300 rpm, and idling speed at 650 rpm.

Arion 600 Series: The ARION 660, 650, and 630 models come in a range of 165 to 205 hp, and are equipped with a continuously variable CMATIC transmission. These tractors are designed to be versatile workhorses intended for a range of tasks around the farm or ranch. 

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According to Head of Commercial Development, Patricio Frangella, work will begin on a second location in Indiana to better support the needs of Claas customers in that state. Currently, MacAllister Machinery Company serves as the Claas combine dealer in the state of Indiana. Starting in June 2023, farmers in the area can choose between Claas FarmPoint and MacAllister Machinery Company for the sales and servicing needs of their Claas grain harvesting equipment. This move is part of a joint plan between MacAllister Machinery Company and Claas.

Claas FarmPoint is a mobile-first, technology-driven dealership designed to create a different on-farm experience. “We concentrate on building relationships, focus on replacing the conventional building bricks and mortar model and use mobility to put more people in the field and on your farm more often,” explained Patricio Frangella, Head of Commercial Development.

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Jan-Hendrik Mohr, a graduate engineer, has been with the Claas Group since 1984 continuously taking on increasing responsibilities. He has been a member of the Group Executive Board since 2008. He is currently responsible for the Business Unit Grain, which he will continue to lead in a personal capacity.

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“CLAAS FARMPOINT represents a dynamic shift in the typical implement dealership organizational structure and facilities. Instead of being a traditional bricks and mortar destination for farmers, it’s a physical and virtual launching point for parts, service, and equipment destined for the farm,” explained Patricio Frangella, Head of Commercial Development – NA, who oversees operations for CLAAS FARMPOINT. “The focus of CLAAS FARMPOINT is to meet you where you do business – on your farm. With that in mind, CLAAS FARMPOINT locations will be highly streamlined and focused on delivering best-in-class parts availability, a select number of service bays but a high degree of focus on remote service. The vast majority of the action will take place with a team of mobile service technicians, active parts dispatch direct to the farm or technician, and account managers right where the equipment lives, for maximum up time and greater support.” 

According to Frangella, the first CLAAS FARMPOINT location will be in Madisonville, KY. A temporary location has been secured and will be open for business no later than June 2023, with work beginning on the permanent location shortly. The new location will serve the needs of CLAAS customers in both Kentucky and neighboring parts of southern Indiana in addition to today’s service and parts provided by Ag Revolution. 

Those with questions about the new dealership and its locations can visit  for more information or email farmpoint@claas.com.

This was the company’s highest annual net sales seen in the last decade and its third year of year-over-year increase. Net sales in North and South America came to €851 million ($903.9 million) for 2022 and made up 17.3% of total net sales.

“Significant growth was generated in North America through new machine sales of combine harvesters, forage harvesters and tractors,” the report said. “CLAAS was able to increase its sales in Argentina in spite of the difficult ongoing political and economic conditions,” the company added.

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