CLAAS Hosts Nebraska Trade Mission at Its Global Headquarters in Germany

The delegation, which included farmers, entrepreneurs, politicians and scientists, visited CLAAS at its headquarters under the motto #GrowNE (Grow Nebraska). They received a guided tour of the CLAAS plant, took part in a roundtable with representatives of the Gütersloh economic district, and highlighted Nebraska’s German-style apprenticeship program.

Earlier this year, CLAAS and Graepel Manufacturing, two German companies with North America operations based in Omaha, became the first high-tech manufacturers in the state to sign on and commit funds for the three-year ICATT Apprenticeship, a dual-study program promoted through the German American Chambers of Commerce. The ICATT Apprenticeship Program helps manufacturers develop a pipeline of skilled talent and train the workforce they need to grow through its globally recognized program. Gov. Ricketts’ visit to Germany took place during National Apprenticeship Week.

“Companies like CLAAS and Graepel North America have high-quality jobs and tremendous career paths for our state’s workforce,” said Gov. Ricketts. “The German Dual Study Apprenticeship Program is an innovative way to address the skilled workforce shortage by helping both people who are looking for great jobs and employers working to recruit and develop talent.”

"A skilled workforce is essential for CLAAS to build the high-efficiency machines that the markets are demanding," said Leif Magnusson, president of CLAAS Global Sales – Americas. "We were thrilled to host Gov. Ricketts and the Nebraska delegation at CLAAS and Agritechnica to continue to further strengthen the state's relations with Germany and address key workforce opportunities such as the ICATT Apprenticeship program."

Gov. Ricketts hopes his visit, which he himself called a trade mission, will help deepen Nebraska's relations with Germany and open up new partnerships, including the agricultural industry sector. Agriculture accounts for 20 percent of Nebraska's economic output and provides one in four jobs in the state.

For more information about CLAAS, visit the company’s website at www.claas.com.

About CLAAS of America Inc.:

CLAAS of America Inc. offers a wide variety of technologically innovative tractor, combine, forage harvester, baler and hay tool products to provide growers optimum performance in the field. These premium equipment lines are designed by a dedicated engineering staff located at numerous factories worldwide and focused on the production and design of harvesting equipment. The design, performance and reliability of this equipment have made CLAAS an international market leader. For more information, visit www.claas.com.

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Photo caption:

Cathrina Claas-Mühlhäuser, Thomas Böck, Bernd Ludewig and Leif Magnusson of CLAAS welcomed Governor Pete Ricketts (fourth from left) and his ministers Anthony Goins (second from left), Jim Macy (third from left), Steve Wellman (second from right) to Agritechnica.