The opening of a full production cycle has become the largest project CLAAS in Russia and Europe. First CLAAS production plant in Russia was opened in Krasnodar 2005. The investment in its construction amounted to 20 million euros then. Since then, the plant had produced more than 4,500 units of agricultural machinery. Investment in the expansion of the existing production exceeded 120 million euros. The company will join the four largest plants above 11 plants of CLAAS in the world with the launch of the second phase of the plant in Krasnodar and it will become the most modern plant for the production of agricultural machinery in Europe.
Internationalization is one of the main CLAAS objectives. The company CLAAS took a further most important decision in its history on intensification of production in Russia being in Russian market from 1992 and opening a plant in Krasnodar in 2005. In the second phase of the plant complete production cycle will be organized. It will include such operations as laser metal cutting, metal bending, welding semi-automatic machines, surface preparation and cataphoretic priming on an automated line, powder coating. Production area of the company increased by 9 times and it is about 45000 m2 nowadays. The possibility of the plant will increase in 2-2,5 times after commissioning of the second stage of production and amount of the production will be around 2000 – 2500 units per year.
Thus, the launch of the second phase of the plant opens new perspectives for CLAAS. At first the company will be able to meet the demand of Russian farmers and farmers of neighbouring countries by increasing the number of the plant units which produce products. Secondly the company will be able to reach the level of localization of more than 50 % due to the deepening of production, to receive equal conditions for competition with Russian producers, in particular, to get the recognition of CLAAS as Russian manufacturer of agricultural machinery and it can take part in the Federal program of subsidizing of grain harvesters produced in Krasnodar. Thus the launch of the second phase of the plant in Krasnodar region fits policy of import substitution at the best at present.
According to the Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Deputy Chairman of the Board of CLAAS founders Kathrine Claas-Muehlhaeser: «The expansion project is a model project of successful Russian-German economic cooperation in Krasnodar. It seemed impossible to realize it for a couple of years allowing all difficulties which every company confronts at the launch of its production, especially abroad. But even the impossible is possible! We never refuse decisions which were previously taken and we adhere strictly to our strategy. Russia is a priority market for us. If we decided to be present on the Russian market, if it was to enhance our production, despite the current economic situation, we did it».
«On behalf of the Ministry of industry and trade of the Russian Federation and from myself personally I congratulate you on the opening of the second phase of the CLAAS factory in the Russian Federation. It is particularly important that a full technological cycle of production and hence ambitious targets are in respect of production localization. I am sure that Russian production CLAAS agricultural machinery will take a worthy place in the domestic market and are appreciated by foreign consumers", - said in his speech, the Deputy Minister of industry and trade of the Russian Federation Alexander Morozov.