STIHL Celebrates 50 Years of U.S. Manufacturing

STIHL is celebrating its 50th anniversary of U.S. manufacturing operations. Since establishing its U.S. operations in Virginia Beach in 1974, 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.

“STIHL’s legacy in the U.S. is a testament to the enduring relationships we’ve cultivated over the past five decades,” says Chris Keffer, STIHL Inc. president and CEO. “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 Inc. has steadily expanded its Virginia Beach operations to 1.4 million square feet of operating space, while pushing the boundaries of precision engineering and high-tech manufacturing. Production surged over the last 50 years and by the end of 2024, STIHL expects 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, but it has also strengthened our bond with our customers,” Keffer says. “It’s just one of the many reasons STIHL is the No. 1 selling brand of gasoline and battery-powered handheld outdoor power equipment in America among the pros. More importantly, this accolade wouldn’t be possible without the perseverance and dedication of the thousands of STIHL employees over these 50 years.”