CLASS UK officially opened its new training Academy on Wednesday 4 October when the Mayor of St Edmundsbury, Councillor Terry Clements, cut the ceremonial ribbon accompanied by the Speaker of the Board of CLASS, Lothar Kriszun, CLAAS UK CEO Trevor Tyrell and a host of staff, dealers, suppliers and specially invited guests.

The new £1.2 million Academy had first opened its doors in July and is the first phase of a complete redevelopment by CLAAS UK of the site at Saxham Business Park near Bury St Edmunds. Scheduled for completion by 2020, the new facilities will include new admin ofices, state-of-the-art showroom, and parts and service facility for the Manns of Saxham retail branch.

Mr Kriszun said there was a constant need for ongoing development within the industry. “Independent of Brexit there will always be a constant demand for agricultural products. Although the number of farmers is decreasing in the UK and elsewhere, the land is there and it will be farmed,” he said. "These farmers require professional equipment, and training is crucial to the firm’s future success. The investment in the Academy shows the commitment of CLAAS to the Suffolk site"

Trevor Tyrrell said that the Academy will employ 11 trainers, and is also the focal point for remote online training which takes place with trainees throughout the country and would have “a positive impact on our growth strategy”

Industry consultant, David Kirschner provided an overview of the training requirements for the land-based engineering sector as a whole. "it is predicted that over the next 7 years, this country will need to recruit 1.3 million engineering recruits, and as a relatively small sector we will have to work hard to ensure we can attract the cream of that crop" he said.

View images of Academy opening below