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Chris Keffer, current senior vice president of sales and marketing for STIHL Inc., has been promoted to president and CEO and will assume the new role starting on Aug. 4. Keffer succeeds Terry Horan, who has been appointed to the board of directors of STIHL Inc.
“Terry has the heartfelt thanks of the Stihl family for his exceptional leadership,” says Dr. Nikolas Stihl, chairman of the advisory and supervisory boards at the STIHL Group. “He has built a strong leadership team and established the foundation for significant growth through a demonstrated commitment to our loyal distribution network and local STIHL Dealers, focusing the organization on winning as one team.”
Chairman of the STIHL executive board Michael Traub says the U.S. is the company’s most important market worldwide.
“These appointments provide stability and continuity, which are critical to our long-term strategic and operational success,” Traub says. “Chris has quickly established himself as an innovator and leader and has a keen understanding of our market and our customers. His experience and expertise will enable the company to lead in all markets in which we choose to compete.”
STIHL Inc. is the largest subsidiary in the STIHL Group and plays an important role in the STIHL Group’s manufacturing network, supplying not only the majority of products sold in the U.S. but also exporting to more than 100 markets worldwide. The company is also a dedicated supporter of the independent channel.
“For nearly 100 years, STIHL has remained steadfastly committed to providing the premium quality tools our professional and demanding residential users expect,” Horan says. “Working on this marquee brand alongside our loyal and dedicated workforce has been the pinnacle of my 37-year professional career. I look forward to supporting Chris and the executive council, as together we continue our legacy of market leadership.”
“I would like to thank Terry, the STIHL Board and the Stihl family for their confidence in me,” Keffer says. “STIHL has always had a long-term strategic outlook. So, while our market may be facing short-term challenges, we see tremendous opportunity in our future. We have the people, products, programs and partners to grow our position as the leading authority in the gas and battery outdoor power equipment markets.”
