With the Federal Cross of Merit, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier honoured Dr. Garbers' decades of voluntary work in agricultural machinery associations and foundations.
Dr. Garbers is still involved today as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees in the CLAAS Foundation, which aims to get young people interested in modern agricultural technologies and related sciences. He played a key role in the establishment of the CLAAS Foundation in 1999 and was a strong advocate for STEM promotion in schools.
"He has continuously accompanied the Foundation as a valuable, guiding advisor from the very beginning," says Sylvia Looks (Executive Board of the CLAAS Foundation).As a mechanical engineer with a doctorate (University of Braunschweig), he built up a network within the industry, the university and association landscape at an early stage.
Dr. Hermann Garbers worked for many years in the Association of German Engineers (VDI) in the field of agricultural technology and was also active for more than 15 years in the Agricultural Technology Association of the German Engineering Federation (VDMA). He was one of the initiators and founding members of the VDMA Steering Committee for Agricultural Engineering, which has established itself as a strategic management body in all technological matters. In 2010, he was elected Chairman of the Board and held this office until 2016. In this capacity, he was instrumental in the reorientation of the European industry association CEMA, which today has great influence on the European Commission when it comes to regulations for agricultural technology.
In his professional career, Dr. Garbers contributed to the successful development of the CLAAS Group, which he joined in 1984. After holding positions as Head of Preliminary Development and Technical Development Planning for the entire product range, he took over the development of the successful combine harvester range from 1988. His era as Managing Director for Technology and Quality began in 1999 and lasted until his retirement in 2014.
Dr. Hermann Garbers worked for many years in the Association of German Engineers (VDI) in the field of agricultural technology and was also active for more than 15 years in the Agricultural Technology Association of the German Engineering Federation (VDMA). He was one of the initiators and founding members of the VDMA Steering Committee for Agricultural Engineering, which has established itself as a strategic management body in all technological matters. In 2010, he was elected Chairman of the Board and held this office until 2016. In this capacity, he was instrumental in the reorientation of the European industry association CEMA, which today has great influence on the European Commission when it comes to regulations for agricultural technology.
In his professional career, Dr. Garbers contributed to the successful development of the CLAAS Group, which he joined in 1984. After holding positions as Head of Preliminary Development and Technical Development Planning for the entire product range, he took over the development of the successful combine harvester range from 1988. His era as Managing Director for Technology and Quality began in 1999 and lasted until his retirement in 2014.