--

Over the past 80 years, the STIHL Group has grown from a two-man operation into a major manufacturer of chainsaws and power tools with operations all over the world. The company’s founder Andreas Stihl, seen by many as the “father” of the chainsaw, set up his company in Stuttgart in 1926, and managed to build up the business during economically testing times. In 1960, Hans Peter Stihl joined the company as a management assistant. When he took over on the death of his father in 1973, becoming general partner, the company already employed a total of 2,500 personnel, and its four production plants in Germany were fuelling annual turnover of DM 220 million.

Since the early 1970s, STIHL has been developing into an internationally structured group of companies. Manufacturing takes place at 9 locations in 6 countries: Germany, the United States, Brazil, Switzerland, Austria and China. The parent company, ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG, manufactures at 7 plants at 4 locations around Germany. The German sales company is based in Dieburg. International sales of STIHL products is carried out exclusively by specialist dealers who also provide service. The STIHL sales organisation encompasses in-house distribution companies, branches and representative offices in 34 countries, covering more than 80 percent of sales. Altogether, STIHL has more than 32 distribution companies (including 2 branches), and works with over 35,000 dealers and 120 importers worldwide – selling STIHL products in more than 160 countries.

Hans Peter Stihl retired from involvement in the company’s day-to-day operations in July 2002, and was appointed chairman of the advisory board of STIHL HOLDING AG & Co. KG and chairman of the supervisory board of STIHL AG. Today, STIHL Group operations are managed by a board of five directors, none of whom are members of the Stihl family: Dr. Bertram Kandziora, Chairman of the executive board, Manufacturing and Materials; Mr. Jürgen Steinhauser, member of executive board, Marketing and Sales; Mr. Wolfgang Zahn, member of executive board, Development, Dr. Klaus Detlefsen, member of executive board, Finance and Controlling.

Uncompromising quality, the power to innovate, customer care and exclusive distribution through service/retail dealers are the hallmarks of STIHL. Great value is also placed on extensive research and development. STIHL has been the world’s leading seller of chainsaws since the early 1970s. Alongside petrol and electric saws, the company’s comprehensive range of products includes brush cutters, hedge trimmers, blowers and mist blowers, cut-off saws and power drills as well as protective equipment and accessories. The product portfolio is complemented by the VIKING range of garden equipment featuring lawnmowers, ride-on mowers, garden shredders, power hoes, aerators and more.