LOUISVILLE, KY – One of the burning questions after the recently-announced acquisition of the Caterpillar Challenger tractor line by AGCO was what would next happen to the joint venture between Caterpillar and Claas for the gigantic Lexion combine, now manufactured in the United States. That question has now been answered, just a couple of weeks before the National Farm Machinery Show. Claas will own it all. January 29th., the Germany-based farm machinery giant, Claas, announced plans to purchase Caterpillar, Inc.’s shares in the Caterpillar Claas America LLC (CCA) venture. CCA has been a 50/50 joint venture between Claas and Caterpillar, and operates a combine factory in Omaha, Nebraska, USA, which manufactures Lexion combines designed for the North American market.
The high-performance Lexion combines have been and will be exclusively distributed by Caterpillar dealers under the Caterpillar® brand in North America.
Caterpillar Claas America LLC expects sales and production of Lexion® combines to continue their positive growth trend following the announcement from Claas KgaA to purchase Caterpillar, Inc.’s 50% share of the join venture. This decision means day-to-day operations at the headquarters in Omaha will continue uninterrupted.
”Our customers and our dealers have been extremely happy with the performance of the Lexion combine,” says Theo Freye, general manager at Caterpillar Claas America. “There is a change in ownership of our company, but the product and the support that goes with it will remain just where it is at the top of the industry.”
Caterpillar dealers in North America will continue to have exclusive rights to sell and support the Lexion combine in their current territories. The combine will continue to carry the Caterpillar brand and Caterpillar components, including engines and the Mobil-trac System undercarriage.
The team currently involved in the production, sales and support of the combines will continue their work from the Omaha assembly headquarters.
“The Caterpillar Lexion combine has been in North America for five years,” says Freye. “Our company has excellent relationships with dealers, customers, employees and suppliers. We have every reason to believe that the Lexion combine success story will continue.”
Freye adds that there is no confusion about the future of the company or of the combine product line. “We are the same team and we will continue our business plan.”
About Claas: Claas KgaA, based in Harsewinkel, Germany, is Europe’s market leader in combines and forage harvesters. It is also a leading manufacturer of balers, grassland equipment and material handlers, with production facilities throughout the world.
About Caterpillar:
Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, and industrial gas turbines. Headquartered in Peoria, Ill., the company posted 2001 sales and revenues of $20.45 billion.
