One of the world’s most influential agricultural engineers, Helmut Claas has celebrated his 90th birthday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access to all our agricultural news
across the nation
or signup to continue reading
In a stellar career spanning almost 60 years, Mr Claas helped build the company established by his father and uncles into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of agricultural machinery.
August Claas established an engineering business in Harsewinkel, Germany, in 1913 to manufacture straw balers.
His development of the simple knotter in 1921 provided the cornerstone of the company’s growth and success.
August Claas then turned his attention to harvesting technology, commencing what was to be the start of a long list of combine innovations and developments.
Over the past 100 years, the company has successfully lodged more than 3000 patents for innovation in agricultural engineering and technology.
Helmut Claas joined the family business in 1958 after completing a degree in mechanical engineering at the Technical University of Hanover, followed by studies in Vienna and Paris.
One of his first roles was planning the establishment of a Claas distributorship in France, now trading as Claas France.
In 1962 he was appointed director of the engineering department.
In what proved to be a glorious period in the company’s history, Mr Claas oversaw the introduction of the world-famous Dominator harvester (1970), the Jaguar forage harvester (1983), Quadrant square balers (1988), Xerion advanced technology tractor (1993) and Lexion harvester (1995).
He has been bestowed numerous honorary doctorates, professorships and citizenship awards over the years.
His services as a pioneer of Franco-German co-operation saw him awarded the Chevalier dans l’Ordre de la Legion d’honneur by the French Government in 2009.
Today, Claas firmly remains a family-owned business, with the daughter of Helmut and the late Erika Claas, Cathrina Claas-Mühlhäuser, now chair of the Supervisory Board.
Claas employs around 11,500 workers worldwide and has a turnover of €3.8 billion.
