Stihl Inc. produces 40-millionth unit at Virginia Beach facility

From left, Fred Whyte, president of Stihl Inc., Hans Peter Stihl, chairman of the advisory board of Stihl Holding AG & Co. KG., and Peter Mueller, executive vice president of operations for StihlStihl Inc. celebrated a milestone in its history as the 40-millionth powerhead manufactured in the U.S. rolled off the line on Oct. 6. President Fred Whyte accepted an MS 290 Stihl Farm Boss chain saw from Peter Mueller, executive vice president of operations, in front of a gathering of Stihl employees.

“This unit is symbolic of years of hard work and dedication by all of our Stihl employees, from the men and women in product assembly and manufacturing to our territory managers across the country,” said Whyte. “We are the number-one-selling brand of gasoline-powered handheld outdoor equipment in the country for a reason, and I salute each and every person responsible for this success.”

Stihl Inc., one of several manufacturing facilities in the Stihl Group worldwide, has been headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., since 1974. The company began its U.S. operations with 50 employees and manufacturing a single model of chain saw. Since then, production has grown and the company now employs more than 2,000 people nationwide, including 1,800 in Virginia Beach. It also produces a full line of high-quality, handheld outdoor power equipment, including blowers, trimmers, brushcutters and multi-task tools, as well as the number-one-selling brand of chain saws worldwide. In addition to serving the U.S. market, the company exports to more than 90 countries.