CLAAS Harvest Centre ready for the challenge

WITH more than 1000 new and late model CLAAS LEXION combine harvesters about to swing into action this harvest, CLAAS Harvest Centre network says its service and parts teams are fully prepared for the challenge.

Landpower General Manager – Product, Tim Needham, says it’s been a trying year, with the company’s inbound and outbound logistics significantly impacted by COVID restrictions. “We’ve had to work around reduced international and domestic flights, shipping delays and domestic border closures but we’ve managed to progressively ramp up our parts inventory over the past 12 months,” he says.

“We are now carrying 30 per cent more inventory than usual, with more $27 million of parts in Melbourne and another $20 million spread across the country. Our goal is to make each branch self-sufficient, and failing that, make sure they are able to source parts quickly from the next dealership rather than having to rely on dispatch from Melbourne.”

Mr Needham says the company’s distribution network now comprises 34 dedicated CLAAS Harvest Centres and independent dealerships throughout Australia.

“Our goal is to gear up our customers for success – and that’s not just about providing the right machine, but having the right service and back-up to keep it at full operating capacity,” he says.

“Our Australian network employs more than 300 staff, including trained service technicians and parts interpreters. We are also fortunate to have service technicians on secondment from CLAAS dealerships in the UK and Europe.”