Balers have been part of CLAAS’s DNA for 95 years. The family-run company began producing its first commercial baler, the PRESS-BU-BI, in 1931. Ten years earlier, CLAAS had filed its first patent for the now-famous knotter hook, initially used on straw binders and later on balers. Since then, CLAAS has built and marketed more than 400,000 balers worldwide.

For decades, CLAAS balers were developed and manufactured exclusively at the company headquarters in Harsewinkel. In 1958, however, CLAAS established a dedicated factory in Metz-Woippy, Lorraine - now part of the Grand Est region of France. It was the first CLAAS production site outside Germany and the first factory founded by Helmut Claas. The first CLAAS balers rolled off the line in Woippy in 1961, and development activities moved there from Harsewinkel in 1994.

Five generations of VARIANT and the new CEREX

Following the launch of the ROLLANT fixed-chamber round baler in 1978 and the ROLLATEX net binding system in 1983, CLAAS introduced its first in-house variable-chamber round baler in 1996: the VARIANT 100 series. Before this, the segment had been covered for several years by the VARIANT 16, an OEM product.

The VARIANT 100 established the key features that would shape the range for the next three decades. Its rotor actively started and drove the bale, ensuring reliable bale formation even in difficult crop conditions while achieving high bale densities. A hydraulic soft-core function enabled post-drying of crops such as hay where required, while the 2.10 m pick-up was the widest available on the market at the time.

Over five generations, the VARIANT has continued to set standards in the variable-chamber baler segment. Innovations have included automatic tying start, the hydraulically lowerable PRO cutting floor, the 360-degree rotor, XW net tying with edge coverage, SMART DENSITY and the MULTIFLOW HD pick-up.

Since 2025, the completely redesigned CEREX 700 has complemented the VARIANT range. Designed for even higher throughput and bale density while optimising power requirements, the CEREX 700 represents the latest development in CLAAS variable-diameter round baler technology.

“Balers are one of the strongest foundations of our company,” says Dr Martin von Hoyningen-Huene, CTO of the CLAAS Group. “Today, we can look back with pride on 30,000 variable-diameter round balers built, the majority of which are VARIANT models. Our current range, comprising the CEREX 700 and VARIANT 500, is built on this extensive experience – the strongest range of variable-diameter round balers we have ever had at CLAAS.”

Anniversary machines and customer offer

To mark the 30th anniversary of the VARIANT, Usines CLAAS France has built one CEREX and one VARIANT in a special anniversary design. Both feature cream-white side panels inspired by the first two VARIANT generations – the VARIANT 100 and VARIANT 200 – alongside an oversized seed-green “30 Years” logo. The “30” consists of three stylised round bales in different diameters, reflecting both the anniversary theme and the technology behind variable compression chambers.

For one year, one of the machines will be displayed at the visitor centre in Metz-Woippy, while the other will be exhibited at the Technoparc in Harsewinkel.

CLAAS is also marking the anniversary with a special offer for farmers and contractors. From October 2026, customers purchasing VARIANT and CEREX machines can benefit from special, individual financing options for 12 months, subject to regional terms and conditions. All VARIANT and CEREX models built in Metz during this period will also feature anniversary stickers on the side panels and tailgate.