Classen History
The Classen brand was established in 1973 by Tom and Sylvia Classen who purchased Reds Blacksmith Shop (a repair facility) located in Norfolk, NE. Within a few years, they changed direction to manufacture wrought iron products, reality sign posts, automatic can crushers, and other miscellaneous items. In 1977, the company branched off and also became a structural steel fabricator. By the early 80’s, a walk behind core aerator was designed. This was the birth of the Classen turf renovation equipment line. This division eventually became the main focus and the driving growth of the brand and was eventually sold to a major player in the golf course industry. In the early 90’s their son Larry Classen, whom had been with the company since the early days, developed a whole new line of sod cutters, aerators, dethatchers and overseeders that focused on easy to use and maintain designs that made the Classen brand a favorite of commercial and rental markets.
In 2004, Schiller-Pfeiffer (now Schiller Grounds Care, Inc.) acquired the Classen brand and its full line of turf renovation equipment from Larry. The acquisition of Classen brand products broadened Schiller’s market appeal, catapulting the company into the grounds maintenance industry through a dedicated turf care equipment line that has been an established leader in the turf care industry for more than 35 years. Classen equipment includes a complete line of commercial aerators, turf rakes/dethatchers, sod cutters and seeders.