Despite the worldwide hiatus in agricultural machinery markets, Claas managed to surpass its previous best sales performance in the 2014-15 financial year ended Sept. 30. At the equivalent of $4.21 billion, sales revenues were just $15 million or 0.4% ahead of the prior year figure — but it’s still growth given current market conditions.

Lothar Kriszun, spokesman of the Claas executive board, said, “We are delighted to have overcome the current weakness in the market…