Enthralled by technology: Factory tour at the CLAAS factory in Harsewinkel

Insights into State-of-the-Art Agricultural Technology: Apprentices and Dual Students from the FRICKE Group Visit the CLAAS Plant in Harsewinkel. They experienced the impressive production of combine harvesters and forage harvesters up close!

On November 20th and 21st, around 50 apprentices and dual students from the FRICKE Group had the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s most modern production sites for combine harvesters and forage harvesters. The factory tour at CLAAS in Harsewinkel provided us with exciting insights into operational processes and a deeper understanding of the innovative technologies behind these impressive agricultural machines.

Once we arrived on site

After a roughly three-hour bus ride, we were warmly welcomed at the CLAAS Technopark. On approximately 2,500 square meters, we had the chance to independently explore the impressive machines and their dimensions. We were particularly delighted to spot the familiar name "SAPHIR" on an attachment for a telescopic handler – a connection that immediately reminded us of our own company.

The CLAAS factory in Harsewinkel, which has produced over 400,000 combine harvesters since 1936, is now one of the leading production sites for agricultural machinery.

A tour through state-of-the-art production technology

The factory tour began with a division into smaller groups, each accompanied by audio guides. Thanks to headphones, we were able to follow all the information easily despite the noise in the production halls.

During the tour, we gained insights into the impressive 65-hectare (650,000 square meters) factory site, which employs around 3,500 people. Here, the renowned models such as the LEXION combine harvester, the JAGUAR forage harvester, and the XERION tractor are produced.

What stood out most was the state-of-the-art technology in the factory. We were able to witness autonomous FTS vehicles (driverless transport systems) in action. These vehicles autonomously navigated through the halls, showcasing the technological advancements at CLAAS. Throughout the tour, we observed these FTS vehicles transporting materials and components to various stations.

The reason for the advanced equipment and technology lies primarily in the new 15,000 square meter hall inside the factory. The old halls from the 1950s were demolished in just 22 weeks and replaced by a cutting-edge production facility that meets the latest standards. A main assembly line with side-by-side cross conveyors now significantly eases the production of the machines.

It was particularly interesting to learn that central components like axles, drive systems, and undercarriages are produced by CLAAS in Paderborn, located about 60 kilometers away. We were also impressed by the variety of welding processes presented to us in several production areas – from automated robotic welding to traditional manual welding. These insights into the manufacturing processes highlighted the differences between a production and a trading company.

Refueling at the "Casino"

After the informative and impressive insights into the production processes, we enjoyed a well-deserved lunch break at the company’s own canteen, the "Casino." Here, we not only enjoyed the meal but also had the chance to engage in casual conversations in a relaxed atmosphere. One particularly important takeaway: the price of the currywurst is comparable to that in the FRICKE canteen. 😉

After an eventful day, we began our journey back to Heeslingen. We would like to express our sincere thanks to CLAAS for the exciting factory tour and their warm hospitality. A special thanks also goes to the HR department of the FRICKE Group for organizing and making this trip possible.

In recent years, agricultural and construction machinery mechatronics apprentices from the FRICKE Group had the opportunity to visit the CLAAS tractor plant in Le Mans. You can find the blog post about this visit through this link!