The document was signed at the Agritechnica trade fair in the presence of the Russian Minister of Industry and Trade, Denis Manturov, and the chairperson of the CLAAS supervisory board, Cathrina Claas-Mühlhäuser. An investment agreement that gives CLAAS the status of "Russian manufacturer" will now be prepared within a few months. Under the agreement, CLAAS will enjoy the same financial conditions as domestic manufacturers.
“We’re delighted that our decades-long engagement has been recognised, and want to expand our contribution to the modernisation of Russian agriculture even further,” explains Lothar Kriszun, spokesperson for CLAAS Group management.
The demand for efficient harvesting technologies remains high. At present, only 72 million hectares are used for agriculture in Russia, yet 122 million hectares are suitable for cultivation.
At the beginning of October, CLAAS commenced operations at an additional plant in Krasnodar. The production space is around nine times larger than the existing factory, at around 45,000 square metres. This means production volumes will increase to as many as 2,500 combine harvesters and tractors per year. The technological exclusivity, combined with vertical penetration similar to that at the CLAAS home plant in Harsewinkel, will in future also allow companies outside the industry to be supplied. CLAAS started exporting used machines through its first local dealers in 1992. This was followed by new machines and the first Russian employees, who were responsible for training and servicing. In 2005 CLAAS became the first overseas agricultural machinery company with its own production facilities in Russia; at that time, some 20 million euros were invested.
