Stihl Celebrates 50 Years of Manufacturing in the United States
Stihl Inc. is a global leader in outdoor power equipment. The company recently celebrated its 50th anniversary of U.S. manufacturing operations, highlighting five decades of growth, innovation and community impact. Stihl established its U.S. operations in Virginia Beach in 1974. Since, the company has grown from assembling a single chainsaw model in a 20,000-square-foot facility into a major manufacturer of both gasoline and battery-powered equipment. It has more than 2,700 employees and a sprawling 150-acre campus. Stihl Inc. continues to invest in U.S. operations and the expansion and development of its Stihl Dealer network.
“Stihl’s legacy in the United States is a testament to the enduring relationships we’ve cultivated over the past five decades,” said Stihl Inc. President and CEO Chris Keffer. “Our success is not just measured in numbers, but reflects the dedication of our employees, the strong connections with our customers and the community, and the shared growth of our branches and independent distributors who support over 10,000 Stihl Dealers nationwide.”
Stihl Production Stats
Stihl Inc. has steadily expanded its Virginia Beach operations to 1.4M square feet of operating space. It’s still pushing the boundaries of precision engineering and high-tech manufacturing. Production surged over the last 50 years. By the end of 2024, Stihlexpects to hit the milestone of 100 million units produced. The Virginia Beach facility also manufactures more than 65 million parts and 350,000 miles of trimmer line each year.
“Manufacturing right in the U.S. has not only allowed us to build the highest-quality products. It has also strengthened our bond with our customers,” said Keffer. “It’s just one of the many reasons Stihl is the #1 selling brand of gasoline and battery-powered handheld outdoor power equipment in America among the pros1. More importantly, this accolade wouldn’t be possible without the perseverance and dedication of the thousands of Stihl employees over these 50 years.”
As Stihl celebrates this milestone, the company remains committed to producing innovative, high-quality products. It also remains committed to making a lasting impact on the industry and the communities it serves.
For more information about Stihl Inc., visit stihlusa.com.
1“Number one selling brand” is based on 2007-2023 syndicated and commissioned surveys and 2023 surveys conducted by Irwin Broh Research of the U.S. professional landscaper and tree care markets.
