Omaha, Nebraska - CLAAS KGaA mbH., an agricultural machinery manufacturer, has announced the construction of a new 44,800-square-foot Research and Development Center in Omaha, Nebraska, reinforcing its long-term commitment to North America and its farmers.
The groundbreaking ceremony was led by Jan-Hendrik Mohr, CEO of CLAAS Group, who first came to Omaha more than 25 years ago to establish the company’s U.S. presence. Since then, the site has grown into the headquarters of CLAAS of America, featuring a modern assembly plant that has produced 10,000 LEXION combines, a training academy, and corporate offices employing more than 250 people.
The new R&D facility will serve as the hub for all North American testing activities, supporting CLAAS engineers in developing and validating next-generation agricultural machinery for diverse cropping conditions, from Midwest corn and soybeans to Canadian wheat and canola.
Planned features include two floors of office space, expanded instrumentation rooms, improved logistics areas, and a heated internal wash bay. The new center will also offer enhanced security measures to safeguard proprietary technology. At 25% larger than the company’s current off-site shop, the facility will provide the space needed to advance prototype testing and analysis.
Mr. Jan-Hendrik Mohr, CEO of CLAAS Group, said, “The U.S. and Canadian markets are critical to our success. This investment ensures CLAAS continues to deliver machines tailored to the needs of farmers across the continent.”
With the addition of the new R&D Center, CLAAS further strengthens its U.S. base, continuing a legacy of innovation and local investment that began more than two decades ago.