A little over a year ago, CLAAS of America promised to expand their dealer network throughout Saskatchewan to support local growers.

Recently, the international agriculture equipment manufacturer celebrated two critical milestones in their expansion efforts: A ribbon cutting on the permanent location of Canada West Harvest Centre in Emerald Park just outside of Regina as well as the opening of an interim location in Saskatoon.

?After more than a year of construction, CLAAS has officially opened their permanent location in Emerald Park ?right next door to their former, interim location,? stated Doug Tibben, General Manager of Canada West Harvest Centre. ?The new facility offers greater floor space and better facilities to serve our customer base in the Regina area.?

The open house and ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Wednesday, August 5, at 8 Industrial Drive West in Emerald Park. The Emerald Park ribbon cutting was highlighted with the presence of the Honorable Lyle Stewart, Minister of Agriculture for Saskatchewan, as well as members of the media.

Meanwhile, the second location of Canada West Harvest Centre opened its doors on Thursday, August 6, in its interim Saskatoon location. The new dealership at 203 ? 60th Street East in Saskatoon welcomed local officials and growers in celebration of its opening. A permanent location in Saskatoon is currently being secured.

It was less than two years ago, when Kramer CAT announced that it was getting out of the Ag business, leaving CLAAS with a big hole to fill in Saskatchewan. Part of their solution was the development and expansion of the CLAAS-owned Canada West Harvest Centre locations.

?While the vast majority of our dealers throughout North America are independent business partners, the most immediate way to provide service and support to our customers in the Regina and Saskatoon areas was to establish a new dealership owned by CLAAS,? said Leif Magnusson, President CLAAS Global Sales - Americas. ?We are excited to see the progress we?ve made in such a short amount of time.?