Agricultural machinery manufacturer „Claas“ is headquartered in Harsewinkel, Germany, but operates worldwide as a global company. Recently, the company made a surprise sale of one of its owned companies. The buyer is a well-known Japanese manufacturer of agricultural machinery and engines, writes Agrarheute.com.

‚Yanmar‘ takes over combine harvester production
At the end of August, the Japanese company „Yanmar“ announced that it had acquired all the shares of its subsidiary „Claas India“. The new owner is the group company „Yanmar Coromandel Agrisolutions”.
With this acquisition, „Yanmar“ is launching the production of combine harvesters and aims to further accelerate its growth in the Indian agricultural sector. „Yanmar” is primarily known for its diesel engines, but also manufactures agricultural equipment such as tractors.

Is „Claas“ retreating from India?
„Claas“ has been in India for 35 years. The company opened a new combine harvester plant near Chandigarh in northern India 16 years ago, producing up to 900 harvesters a year. Since then, it has been producing „Crop Tiger” combine harvesters. These compact combines are primarily used in rice fields, but can also be used for cereal harvesting.

„Claas“ has enjoyed great success with the ‚Crop Tiger‘ and has produced more than 10 000 units. In addition to the „Crop Tiger”, the „Dominator 40” combine harvester and the „Paddy Panther” rice drill were also manufactured in India. However, no machines or components were produced there for the European market, so the sale of „Claas India“ has no impact on the production facilities in Germany. 
The sale is part of a strategic reorientation: in the future, „Claas“ wants to focus more on the European and North American markets. However, there are no plans to withdraw completely from India. „Claas” will maintain its sales and service network in India and will continue to offer machines such as tractors, implements and forage harvesters. 

„Claas Group„ Managing Director Jan-Hendrik Mohr said: ‚We wish „Yanmar„ every success for the future of its work in the Indian agricultural machinery market. „Claas“ will continue to manufacture machines and expand its presence in India.

Successful combine harvesters will continue to be produced
By the way, the sale of „Claas” does not mean the end of „Crop Tiger” combines. The new owner, „Yanmar”, promises to continue the production of rice harvesters. According to „Yanmar”, India is one of the world's largest producers of cereals. In the Indian market, we plan to expand our product range and increase sales throughout the country. In addition, manufacturing in India will allow us to further strengthen our combine harvester production system. This will enable us to supply our products from India to customers all over the world," said ‚Yanmar‘.

In addition to India, „Claas“ is active in other parts of Asia. The company has an office in Thailand and is active in China. In addition to the Markant HD baler, the Gaomi plant also produces the new „Evion” series of straw-guided harvesters.