Founded in 1913, the family-owned company CLAAS is one of the world's renowned manufacturers of agricultural machinery. Headquartered in Harsewinkel, Westphalia, the company is the European market pioneer in combine harvesters.
CLAAS is the sole world market pioneer in the major product group of self-propelled forage harvesters, as well as pioneering in agricultural technology with tractors, agricultural balers and grassland harvesting machines. The product range also includes state-of-the-art agricultural information technology. CLAAS employs over 12,000 people worldwide and achieved a turnover of 6.1 billion euros in the 2023 financial year.
Drivers of business success
Customer service, therefore, focuses on the rapid availability of spare parts
Innovative strength and the close integration of customer feedback in development are important drivers of business success. In addition to the reliability, productivity, efficiency and performance of the products, the development focus is also on low maintenance and low wear costs, as well as long-term value retention and an exceptionally long product life.
During the harvest season, the machines are used intensively, and harvest interruptions due to breakdowns are particularly critical. Customer service, therefore, focuses on the rapid availability of spare parts.
Intelligent video analysis system
The CLAAS Parts Logistics Centre in Hamm-Uentrop has been supplying CLAAS customers worldwide with spare parts since 1999. From the highly automated logistics centre, which operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, CLAAS supplies customers with high-quality spare parts for agricultural machinery in the fastest possible way-by air freight, truck or cab.
To secure the logistics centre, an innovative video surveillance solution was required to prevent and investigate crimes such as unauthorised entry into the premises or building areas. In addition, movements in all relevant security areas and the logistics centre's processes were to be extensively documented.
Uniform security system
A uniform security system was required, which could be used to analyse alarms from different areas and coordinate follow-up measures, as well as an intelligent video analysis system that reliably reports unauthorised movements in security areas with a low false alarm rate. Of course, data protection and the concerns of the works council had to be respected.
Integration of scan data
The requirements were implemented with the help of a Geutebrück system
The requirements were implemented with the help of a Geutebrück system. Together with system integrator Hermann Einberger GmbH, Geutebrück designed and implemented a solution that comprehensively meets all current requirements and is open to future expansion.
It allows the integration of scan data from deliveries for detailed process documentation and optimisation for example, as well as automated access control using licence plate recognition. Networking the site with other CLAAS sites for centralised operation and administration from the CLAAS headquarters in Harsewinkel is also an option.
Cooperation with Einberger
Christian Vogt, Vice President Group Security CLAAS, said: "It wasn't just the technology that convinced us. The good customer service and close cooperation with Einberger and the direct contact with the manufacturer Geutebrück guarantee us the best possible support even now, after the installation, during operation."
Christian Vogt adds, "Whether questions from our operators, support for our administrators, ideas for the extended application or individual requests: we feel that these two companies really care about their customers. They are true family businesses, just like us."