CLAAS appoints Jan-Hendrik Mohr as new chief executive

European agriculture machinery manufacturer CLAAS has appointed Jan-Hendrik Mohr as its new chief executive. Mr Mohr was selected for the role in March and took over from outgoing head Thomas Bock on April 1. Mr Bock stepped down after nearly four years as chief executive, and 16 years at the company, to pursue new endeavours. CLAAS Group Supervisory Board chair Cathrina Claas-Muhlhauser said Mr Mohr was highly respected at the company and in the industry. “He knows CLAAS like no one else and has proven his worth,” Ms Claas-Muhlhauser said. “He shaped the company during his many years in various management positions. “Together with his colleagues in the Group Executive Board and all employees, he will build on the successful work of his predecessor and lead CLAAS boldly into the future.” Mr Mohr, a graduate engineer, has been with the CLAAS Group since 1984, continuously taking on increasing responsibilities. He has been a member of the Group Executive Board since 2008 and is currently responsible for the Business Unit Grain, which he will continue to lead. Mr Mohr said he looked forward to continuing the company’s success story with colleagues on the Board as well as all employees. “CLAAS stands for a high level of technological expertise, products that excite and a corporate culture that unites us,” Mr Mohr said. “We think long term and have a clear vision, to make our customers the best in their field.” Mr Bock said it was a good time for a change. “CLAAS has emerged stronger from the various crises and is in a very strong position today,” Mr Bock said. “During my time, sales have risen to over five billion euros. “Despite the crises, we will achieve an excellent result this financial year. “We have set the right course to lead CLAAS into a successful future.” Ms Claas-Muhlhauser said Mr Bock achieved outstanding things in the company, “especially in the fields of product development and digitalisation”. “The digital transformation of the CLAAS Group will always be associated with his name,” she said. “As chief executive of the CLAAS Group, he was known and respected far beyond the group, particularly for his strategic foresight and profound technological knowledge.”