CLAAS has officially opened its new Research and Development Centre in Omaha, Nebraska, marking another significant step in the German manufacturer’s long-term commitment to the North American agricultural market.
he investment will expand the company’s engineering and testing capabilities, enabling CLAAS to develop, evaluate and optimise agricultural machinery specifically for the diverse farming conditions found across the United States and Canada.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, alongside CLAAS executives, employees, local officials and industry representatives.
“The new Research and Development Centre brings together local expertise, customer insights and CLAAS engineering capabilities, allowing us to develop agricultural machinery specifically tailored to North American farming,” said Jan-Hendrik Mohr, CEO of the CLAAS Group.
“It is a key element of our multi-year, $100 million investment and growth strategy for North America. By bringing these strengths together in Omaha, we will develop the next generation of high-performance agricultural technology.”
Omaha becomes an increasingly important CLAAS technology hub
The new R&D facility is located within the expanding CLAAS campus in Omaha, which already houses the company’s North American headquarters, LEXION combine harvester production operations and the CLAAS Training Academy.
The academy provides technical training and professional development programmes for dealers, employees and future agricultural industry specialists. With more than 250 employees, the Omaha site plays a central role in supporting CLAAS customers throughout the United States and Canada.
By integrating manufacturing, engineering, training and customer support at a single location, the company aims to strengthen cooperation between its technical departments and improve its ability to respond to the specific requirements of North American farming operations.
CLAAS has maintained a presence in Omaha for more than 25 years, making Nebraska a strategic location for its regional operations.
“We are very pleased that CLAAS continues to invest in its Omaha campus and in Nebraska,” said Governor Jim Pillen during the inauguration ceremony.
“For more than 25 years, CLAAS has been an important employer in our region. This investment strengthens our economy, creates high-quality employment opportunities for skilled workers and reinforces Nebraska’s close connection to agriculture.”
New facilities expand engineering and testing capacity
The new Research and Development Centre covers a total area of approximately 4,200 square metres, including around 1,100 square metres of covered space.
According to CLAAS, the facility provides 25% more capacity than its previous off-campus R&D location, creating additional opportunities for engineering activities while supporting skilled employment in the region. Designed to accommodate the entire machinery development process, the centre includes two levels of office space, expanded measurement and logistics areas, additional technical equipment and a heated indoor washing facility.
Enhanced physical and electronic security systems have also been incorporated into the building. These facilities will allow CLAAS engineering teams to collect field data, analyse test results and optimise machinery performance more efficiently.
“This centre strengthens our ability to develop, test and refine innovations that directly support our customers in the field,” explained Claudius Knierbein, Head of Engineering at CLAAS Omaha.
“By tailoring our machines to the local conditions, crops and operational requirements of North American agriculture, we can deliver technology that performs where it matters most – on the farm.”
Real-world field testing across North America
One of the main objectives of the new R&D centre is to strengthen the connection between machinery development and real-world agricultural operations.
The Omaha facility will serve as the central hub for CLAAS testing activities throughout North America.
While much of the practical testing will continue to take place on farms across the United States and Canada, under different soil, weather and crop conditions, the resulting data will be evaluated by engineering teams based at the new centre.
This approach will enable CLAAS to assess machinery performance across a broad range of agricultural environments, taking into account differences in cropping systems, soil characteristics, climatic conditions and farming practices.
The close integration of field testing and engineering analysis is expected to support faster and more targeted product development, particularly for machines designed to operate in the demanding conditions of large-scale North American farming.
“Our customers farm under some of the most diverse agricultural conditions in the world,” said Knierbein. “Having the opportunity to test agricultural machinery under these conditions, transmit the data to Omaha and work directly with our engineering teams helps us develop solutions for North American farmers.”
Investment in skills, innovation and local manufacturing
Beyond its technological objectives, the new facility also reinforces CLAAS’ commitment to employment, professional training and industrial development in Nebraska.
Governor Pillen highlighted the broader economic significance of the investment, particularly its contribution to skilled employment and workforce development.
“CLAAS’ commitment goes far beyond manufacturing,” he said. “The company invests in research and innovation, customer experience, high-quality jobs and vocational education.”
“By helping to develop the skilled workforce Nebraska needs, CLAAS creates lasting value for our agricultural community and for the future of our state.”
Mohr also emphasised the importance of the cooperation between CLAAS and local institutions.
“Nebraska is an ideal location for this investment because of its deep agricultural roots, skilled workforce and connections to farmers throughout North America,” he stated.
A long-term strategy for the North American market
The opening of the new R&D centre represents another milestone in CLAAS’ ongoing expansion in North America.
Together with the company’s regional headquarters, LEXION combine harvester assembly operations and Training Academy, the facility further consolidates Omaha’s position as a major industrial and technological hub for the German manufacturer.
The investment reflects a strategy focused not only on strengthening the company’s manufacturing presence but also on developing agricultural machinery and technologies more closely aligned with the requirements of North American farmers.
By combining local engineering expertise, extensive field testing and direct customer feedback, CLAAS aims to accelerate innovation and enhance the performance of its equipment in one of the world’s most important agricultural markets.
