The incumbent CEO Thomas Böck had decided to step down as CEO of the CLAAS Group and to pursue new endeavors. Shareholders and the Group Executive Board have acknowledged this decision with deep regret. They were able to find an experienced successor in Jan-Hendrik Mohr.

Cathrina Claas-Mühlhäuser, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of the CLAAS Group, says: "Jan Hendrik Mohr is highly respected at CLAAS and in our industry. He knows CLAAS like no one else and has proven his worth. He shaped the company during his many years in various management positions. Together with his colleagues in the Group Executive Board and all employees, he will build on the successful work of his predecessor and lead CLAAS boldly into the future. I am very grateful that Jan-Hendrik Mohr is now taking on the responsibility as CEO of the CLAAS Group."

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. CEO-designate Jan-Hendrik Mohr says: "I look forward to continuing our success story together with my colleagues in the Group Executive Board and all employees. CLAAS stands for a high level of technological expertise, products that excite and a corporate culture that unites us. We think long-term and have a clear vision: to make our customers the best in their field."

Thomas Böck says goodbye after more than 16 years at CLAAS

Thomas Böck says: "Since last summer, the desire has matured in me to take on new challenges after more than 16 years at CLAAS, including almost four years as CEO. Now is a good time for a change: CLAAS has emerged stronger from the various crises and is in a very strong position today. During my time as CEO, sales have risen to over five billion euros. Despite the crises, we will achieve an excellent result this financial year. We have set the right course to lead CLAAS into a successful future."

Cathrina Claas-Mühlhäuser: "We owe Thomas Böck a great debt of gratitude. He is a gifted technician and strategic entrepreneur. He has achieved outstanding things, especially in the fields of product development and digitalisation. The digital transformation of the CLAAS Group will always be associated with his name. As CEO of the CLAAS Group, he was known and respected far beyond the Group, particularly for his strategic foresight and profound technological knowledge. In addition, he enjoyed great popularity among the employees of the CLAAS Group due to his appreciative and people-oriented approach. We wish Thomas Böck all the best and will remain in close contact with him in the future."

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From CELTIS, ARES and ATLES to ARION and AXION

The 23 February 2003 signalled a reshuffling of the cards in the global agricultural machinery sector. Having acquired a majority stake in Renault Agriculture followed by its complete acquisition in 2008, CLAAS graduated from harvesting equipment specialist to full system provider – adding standard and specialist tractors to its product range to seamlessly complement the flagship XERION built in Harsewinkel. The signing of the agreement between Helmut Claas and Renault S.A board member Patrick Faure on the eve of the SIMA tradeshow in Paris generated a significant amount of media coverage following its announcement. By the end of April, the staged acquisition had been approved by the Cartel Office.

From 1 October the factory in Le Mans began switching the colour scheme from Renault Orange to Seed Green and from 1 November 2003 all models for new and emerging markets rolled off the assembly line in CLAAS corporate colours. With the product range now complete, CLAAS was able to display a “full line-up of modern products” at Agritechnica 2003. In addition to the standard and specialist tractors, this included the LEXION 500, the COUGAR self-propelled mower and the latest generation XERION – an impressive collection which attracted considerable interest.

Work on the development of the AXION 800 large tractor also started in late 2003 and barely three years later, the new tractor was added to the CLAAS sales range. This marked the first step in the gradual replacement of the Le Mans product portfolio: over time, the CELTIS, ARES and ATLES were rebranded as the ARION and AXION – product names which ushered in a new era.

Industry-defining innovations

The new ARION and AXION tractors paved the way for numerous award-winning innovations which came to define the industry: the large, high-contrast CEBIS terminal for the AXION and later also the ARION 500 and 600 series; the PANORAMIC cab for the ARION 400; TELEMATICS for fleet management; the AXION TERRA TRAC, which was the first half-track tractor with full suspension and CEMOS, the market-leading self-learning, dialogue-based operator assistance and process optimisation system for the ARION and AXION CMATIC. CLAAS tractors from Le Mans were smashing records too; in 2013 the DLG Test Centre tested the 416 hp AXION 950 on behalf of the farm machinery journal profi and measured a record-breaking pulling power of 242 kW – making it the world's most powerful standard tractor! In the DLG PowerMix test the tractor beat the average of all tractors tested before by a whopping 15.6% with a fuel consumption of just 249 g/kWh.

These and other successes can be attributed to a team of developers based at group-wide CLAAS sites whose primary aim is to build the most efficient and productive tractors for farmers and contractors throughout the world. Expertise in TERRA TRAC crawler tracks and CEMOS system and process intelligence at CLAAS Industrietechnik in Paderborn is combined with electronics expertise from CLAAS E-SYSTEMS in Dissen and the standard tractor development capabilities in Vélizy. Together, they are already researching and developing the next generation of tractors from Le Mans.

More than 80 million euros for high-tech production and state-of-the art test centre

But research and development is not the only focus of investment; CLAAS is also rolling out state-of-the-art production processes and ergonomic workstations. Modernisation projects worth more than 80 million euros have been completed since 2003. The largest and most important of these was the CLAAS Forth initiative, which saw production elevated to a new level when it was launched at the end of 2020. The Le Mans factory now counts as one of the most up-to-date in the world, deploying driverless transport systems (known as autonomous guided vehicles or AGVs) and artificial intelligence (AI) in logistics. A new visitor centre modelled on the Technoparc in Harsewinkel recently opened there too.

200,000 tractors from Le Mans within reach

While the 150,000th CLAAS standard tractor left the Le Mans factory in spring 2019, the 200,000 mark is expected to be reached in the 20th anniversary year. Today CLAAS Tractor in Le Mans produces more than 60 different models from 75 to 445 hp, from simple tractors for markets with less stringent emissions standards such as Turkmenistan or Africa to the high-volume ARION 400 mainly for the European market and the AXION 900 TERRA TRAC high-tech large tractor for the global market. Today the Le Mans factory exports tractors to 80 countries around the world, including North America as of 2019.

Twenty years of CLAAS tractors from Le Mans at a glance:

• 23 February 2003: CLAAS signs agreement to purchase majority share of Renault Agriculture.
• 1 October 2003: Roll-out of the first Seed Green CLAAS standard tractors from Le Mans.
• 1 November 2003: All tractors now produced in CLAAS colours.
• 9 – 15 November 2003: CLAAS makes its first attendance at Agritechnica as a full system provider with a comprehensive tractor programme ranging from CELTIS, ARES and ATLES to XERION.
• 2006: Launch of completely redeveloped AXION 800 series with HEXASHIFT semi powershift transmission and CEBIS terminal.
• 2007: New ARION 500 and 600 series rejuvenate the Le Mans tractor range. The AXION 800 is now available with a CMATIC continuously variable transmission as an alternative to the HEXASHIFT powershift transmission.
• 2008: Acquisition of the Renault tractor division complete.
• 2008 – 2010: Installation of new cab pre-assembly and new paint shop.
• February 2011: Unveiling of the new AXION 900 large tractor series with CMOTION multifunction control lever at the SIMA in Paris.
• 2012: Launch of new ARION 500 and ARION 600 series.
• 2013: The AXION 950 sets a new pulling power record for standard tractors of 242 kW in front of the brake van, making it the world’s most powerful tractor.
• November 2013: Premiere of the ARION 500/600 CMATIC with EQ200 continuously variable transmission from CLAAS Industrietechnik.
• 2014: Launch of the new ARION 400 series with ground-breaking PANORAMIC cab.
• 2016: CLAAS joins forces with the trade journal traction to strip down a used AXION 920 to its individual parts to analyse the wearing patterns.
• November 2017: Agritechnica silver medal for two innovations: the AXION 900 TERRA TRAC and CEMOS for Tractors, the first self-learning, dialogue-based operator assistance and process optimisation system.
• Spring 2019: The 150,000th tractor rolls off the production line in Le Mans.
• From 2019: Modernisation of the factory focusing on the main assembly line, logistics and production management as part of the CLAAS FORTH investment programme. The "factory of the future” officially opens in May 2021.
• 2021: The AXION 960 CMATIC with CEMOS designated Sustainable Tractor of the Year.
• September 2022: The new CENTRAL ACADEMY opens in Le Mans.

More information:
Tractor factory Le Mans - discover CLAAS | CLAAS

Le Mans - Many Places. One Passion. | CLAAS

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The EBITDA margin of 8.8% (previous year: 11.1%) remains at a high level. The earnings before taxes of €166.3 million (previous year: €357.1 million) is essentially burdened by impairments in Eastern Europe as a result of geopolitical changes and disrupted supply chains.

“The year 2022 has challenged us in every respect. In this difficult mix, we have shown how resilient our business model is. We delivered and proved with a lot of personal commitment that we can measure up to our vision of making customers the best in their field. We have delivered 100% on our harvest promise to our customers. For this, all employees and distribution partners deserve my thanks," says CEO Thomas Böck.

• Sales up to €4.9 billion
• Stable EBITDA margin of 8.8% – net income impacted by one-off effect
• Positive free cash flow in challenging environment
• Outlook: significant sales and income growth expected in fiscal year 2023

Strong demand in America, robust market also in Europe

Due to the strong harvest year, and beneficial financing conditions especially in the first half of the financial year, the market for agricultural engineering products in 2022 benefited from continued strong demand and developed largely positively despite significant supply-side disruptions and the war-related slowdown in Eastern Europe. CLAAS achieved particularly dynamic sales growth in North America. In Europe, the markets were robust with slight declines compared to the very positive development in 2021. 

Challenges in the supply chains overcome with high commitment

Due to the aftermath of the Corona pandemic and geopolitical upheavals, CLAAS had to contend at times with massive disruptions to its supply chains, which could only be overcome with considerable financial and personnel effort. The 22-week production shutdown in Harsewinkel during the plant modernisation was also a major challenge. However, time-critical deliveries of machines to customers and individual bridging measures could be realised with great efforts by the producing plants and the sales organisation.

Production and sales network strengthened, R&D expenses hit record high

CLAAS has also continued to push ahead with the investment program in 2022 and injected €130 million into the expansion of its global sales and production network: Work to modernise the main plant in Harsewinkel was successfully completed. The project to increase production capacities and modernize the infrastructure at the Bad Saulgau site is going to plan. In Le Mans, France, a new CLAAS Academy for sales partner employees opened its doors.

At the same time, research and development reached a new high in the history of CLAAS. They rose by 6.4% to €279 million and included the development and renewal of harvesting machinery and tractors, investments in electronics architecture for machine control and connectivity, as well as expenses for the digitalization of agricultural processes.

Model initiative continued – LEXION combine harvester receives award

The model offensive was continued in the 2022 financial year: This included the premiere of the new generation of the top model LEXION, which received the "Farm Machine" Award 2023 in the combine category at the French trade fair SIMA, and the DOMINATOR 260. In North America, the new TRION 740 medium hybrid combine and the AXION 900 TERRA TRAC large tractor series were successfully launched. With the NEXOS special tractors (after Stage V), the mid-range TORION wheel loader series, the latest generation of SCORPION telescopic loaders, the VARIANT 500 round baler and the QUADRANT EVOLUTION II square baler, other important product areas have been modernised and expanded. For the LEXION combine harvesters, the JAGUAR forage harvesters and the CLAAS tractors, after the TRION, the new CLAAS CEMIS 1200 terminal is now also available as the successor to the previous S10 universal terminal.

Workforce – training expanded

As of September 30, 2022, the CLAAS Group employed a total of 12,116 people (prior year: 11,957) worldwide, approximately 50.4% of which are outside of Germany. As of September 30, 2022, the CLAAS Group employed 792 apprentices (prior year: 775), 493 (prior year: 473) of which are in Germany. CLAAS trains young people in Germany in various technical and business professions, as well as within a “dual study” program, with alternating phases of theory and practice. The same applies to other countries in which CLAAS operates, such as France, Hungary, the UK, and India.

Outlook

For fiscal year 2023, CLAAS anticipates double-digit sales and income growth despite the present uncertainties. The company expects demand for agricultural equipment to remain stable overall in the main sales regions in Middle and Western Europe, as well as in North America. The number of international orders over the coming months is above average. CLAAS forecasts continued strong growth in the region of North America, thanks in particular to the broader combine harvester and tractor range. Investments in the expansion of the global production and sales network – and in innovative technologies such as digitalization, and autonomous farming – will strengthen the market position on a lasting basis.

Full details are available at annualreport.claas.com

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In the 100th year of its existence, SIMA will take place on a new date in November. On the first day of the fair, outstanding innovations in agricultural engineering are traditionally honored with the FARM MACHINE Award. CLAAS was able to impress the jury of international trade journalists in the combine harvester category this year with the new LEXION, which was presented to the public in summer 2022.

With four model ranges the LEXION is the spearhead of the CLAAS combine harvester range and is manufactured in Harsewinkel, Germany and in Omaha in the US. The innovations introduced for the 2023 season include a larger cab with a rotating driver's seat, the new CEMIS 1200 terminal with the new GPS PILOT, performance and crop flow optimization, larger grain tanks and optional additional equipment such as a pivoting spout for the grain tank discharge auger or the variable steering ratio DYNAMIC STEERING. In addition, new CEMOS functionalities are available for process optimization in terms of productivity and efficiency. In Europe, the LEXION 8600 also supplements the product range.

"With the LEXION, CLAAS has been setting pioneering accents in combine harvester construction since 1995 and has continued this innovative strength ever since," explains Jan-Hendrik Mohr, who is responsible for the grain harvesting business area on the CLAAS Group Executive Board. "We are particularly pleased that, after the TRION series was awarded the title of FARM MACHINE 2022, we can now continue this success with the new LEXION. The FARM MACHINE Awards and other awards are an incentive for us to continue to live up to our claim as a benchmark for high-performance combines in the interests of our customers.”

In 2019, with the introduction of the LEXION 5000/6000/7000/8000, CLAAS initiated a continuous renewal process for the entire combine harvester range, and with the LEXION and TRION offers the widest range of combine harvesters on the market thanks to their modular design.

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