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Claas began shipping combine and forage harvesters directly from Rotterdam in the Netherlands to Dublin port this week to bypass Britain.
The move is part of the company’s strategy for a no-deal Brexit, Trevor Tyrrell, the German-based machinery manufacturer’s chief executive for the UK and Ireland told the Irish Farmers Journal at the FTMTA Farm Machinery Show.
It is just one of the measures taken by the main tractor and implement companies.
They are building up stockpiles of machines and spare parts in the UK and Ireland ahead of 29 March to prevent shortages in case of a no-deal Brexit.
“We’ll have nearly 100% of our spare parts needs in this country ready for the grass season.
"What we’re trying to avoid is chaos at ports in April, May and June,” Tyrrell said.
Other manufacturers said they were re-routing supply chains and increasing stocks for what was, until now, regarded as a unified UK and Ireland market.
The stockpiling has financial implications, with companies extending additional credit to dealers to forward-purchase machines and spare parts.
Claas, Massey-Ferguson (AGCO), John Deere, Case IH and New Holland all said they had measures in place to cope with a hard Brexit.
Some are planning to fly in parts from Continental Europe, while others are fast-tracking machine building and deliveries to before 29 March.
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