Stihl Marks Milestone of 75 Million Units Built in the United States

Stihl celebrated a significant milestone as the company produced its 75 millionth powerhead at its Virginia Beach, Va.

Feb. 13, 2019

2 min read

Stihl staff celebrates the production of 75 million units in the United States.

Stihl celebrated a significant milestone as the company produced its 75 millionth powerhead at its Virginia Beach, Va. Stihl established its U.S. operations in Virginia Beach in 1974, and Stihl has evolved from assembling a single model of chain saw to manufacturing more than 80 different models in a highly automated operation.

Stihl produces a variety of gasoline- and battery-powered handheld outdoor power equipment, including chain saws, trimmers, hedge trimmers and blowers.

“As we enter our 45^th year of manufacturing operations in Virginia Beach, we are proud to mark the output of our 75 millionth unit,” said Lorraine Wagner, vice president of operations at Stihl Inc. “This milestone is a tribute to both modern manufacturing in the U.S. and to our employees who uphold the Stihl standards of quality and commitment to excellence.”

Stihl products are distributed through a two-step distribution model, delivering products to customers through 11 regional branches and distributors, which serve a nationwide network of more than 9,000 authorized local Stihl dealers.

“From the first unit built in 1974 to today’s milestone, our operations continue to improve year over year to meet our customers’ demand for quality products,” said Bjoern Fischer, president of Stihl Inc. “Delivering this 75 millionth unit highlights how vertical integration and the latest technologies enable us to maximize quality, reduce costs and remain competitive in today’s global market.”

About the Author

Michael Roth

Editor

Michael Roth has covered the equipment rental industry full time for RER since 1989 and has served as the magazine’s editor in chief since 1994. He has nearly 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Roth has visited hundreds of rental centers and industry manufacturers, written hundreds of feature stories for RER and thousands of news stories for the magazine and its electronic newsletter RER Reports. Roth has interviewed leading executives for most of the industry’s largest rental companies and manufacturers as well as hundreds of smaller independent companies. He has visited with and reported on rental companies and manufacturers in Europe, Central America and Asia as well as Mexico, Canada and the United States. Roth was co-founder of RER Reports, the industry’s first weekly newsletter, which began as a fax newsletter in 1996, and later became an online newsletter. Roth has spoken at conventions sponsored by the American Rental Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, California Rental Association and other industry events and has spoken before industry groups in several countries. He lives and works in Los Angeles when he’s not traveling to cover industry events.