STIHL Incorporated history

1978 Andreas Stihl Ltd in Great Britain is founded.

In 1980, worldwide chain saw sales reached a peak of 5.8 million units, with Stihl holding a commanding share of the market.

Viking GmbH was founded in Kufstein, Austria, in 1981 as a manufacturer of garden shredders.

Establishment of STIHL apprenticeship program. (1984)

STIHL Inc. launches the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® series on ESPN. (1985)

In 1986, the company began producing protective apparel and accessories, such as safety glasses, helmets, gloves, boots, and hearing protectors.

1989: Production of trimmers and blowers begins.

Despite the rough economic waters of the new decade, revenues maintained their steady rise, reaching EUR 1.54 billion ($1.61 billion), nearly three times the level of 1990.

In 1992 Viking became 100 percent owned by Stihl.

Because the United States was the biggest market for small and nonprofessional chain saw purchases, the company moved production of all small saws to its Virginia Beach plant in 1994.

Foreign sales accounted for about 80 percent of Stihl's $1.1 billion in 1995 revenues.

100th birthday of Andreas Stihl. (1996)

Stihl had already established subsidiaries in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland, and by 1997 operated three representative offices in the former Soviet Union, in St Petersburg, Russia; Ternopol, Ukraine; and Minsk, Belarus.

During 1998 three more marketing subsidiaries were formed in Greece, Portugal, and Argentina.

New Employee Services building opens. (2000)

Introduction of revolutionary STIHL 4-MIX® technology and Precision Series™ hand tool line. (2001)

Harald J. Joos, who had been the head of the German operations of Schindler Holding AG, a Swiss maker of elevators and escalators, was named chairman of the board of management, but he resigned from this position in February 2003.

Third phase of manufacturing expansion (175,000 square feet) complete. (2004)

Launch of STIHL Marketing Advantage Program, allowing independent STIHL servicing dealers to compete with big box retailers. (2005)

New guide bar production plant (60,000 square feet) opens. (2007)

STIHL recognizes 1,000th certified Gold level service technician. (2008)

STIHL becomes the number one selling brand of gasoline powered handheld outdoor power equipment in America.** (2009)

Production of 50 millionth unit in the United States, and Built in America campaign debuts. (2012)

Celebrates 40th Anniversary in US. (2014)

Retail network grows to 9,000 servicing dealers nationwide. (2015)

First STIHL battery product, BGA 56, produced in the US. (2017)

Construction begins on new $25 million, 80,000 square foot administration building. (2018)