Claas Dissen

[Shawnna Franz]

Anynecessary structural changes were therefore identified early on. The introduction of automated guided vehicles (AGV) made a significant contribution to the automation of production. 40 of these driverless and fully automatic carrier vehicles transport the tractors from the first to the last assembly station, and are capable of moving up to 20 tonnes at a time. This means that they provide sufficient load capacity for all current series, as well as for future higher performance models. In future, daily production will therefore be increased to as many as 60 tractors a day. Projected to the full year, this can lead to an annual production capacity of more than 13,000 tractors compared to around 10,000 units today.

Employees are the main beneficiaries of the completely modernised plant. The new logistics infrastructure means employees have significantly more space at their ergonomically designed workplaces, as only parts that are immediately needed are delivered to the assembly line. Some of the workstations are even equipped with headsets so that employees can benefit from easier communication. In addition, bright colours and state-of-the-art LED lighting technology ensure a concentrated and pleasant working atmosphere that resembles natural lighting conditions.

At present, five tractor model series from 75 to 460 hp are produced in Le Mans. Together with the development centre in Vlizy near Paris and the test and validation centre in Trang, around 1,000 people are employed in Le Mans. The locations cooperate closely with other development centres and plants, such as in Germany with CLAAS E-Systems in Dissen or with CLAAS Industrietechnik in Paderborn, where the TERRA TRAC crawler track units for the AXION 900 TERRA TRAC and the continuously variable power split transmissions for the ARION 500 and ARION 600 model series are built.

Opened at the same time, the new technology centre in Ymeray close to Chartres means that CLAAS is continuing to strengthen its presence in France, the largest producer of agricultural technology in the European Union. CLAAS has been producing agricultural balers in Metz since 1958 and now employs over 2,200 people in the country.

In addition, a dedicated page on the CLAAS website has showcased the tractor factory in Le Mans in the run-up to its official reopening. Visitors to excellence-lemans.claas.com will find information, data and facts about the plant, Le Mans itself and the historical background, rounded off by an overview of the most important technical milestones and innovations. A 360-degree factory tour, image galleries and numerous videos also give interested persons a more detailed introduction to the plant and its employees.

3a8082e126