STIHL Inc. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Celebrates Expansion
Dr. Kandziora, STIHL executive board chairman recognizes achievements
Release Date: 8/13/2012
Press Inquiries:
Anita Gambill
757-486-9151
Anita Gambill
757-486-9151
(VIRGINIA BEACH, VA.) – STIHL Inc., the U.S. manufacturing and distribution company for the worldwide STIHL group, celebrated the grand opening of its latest addition to the Virginia Beach manufacturing campus. Completed in May after only five months of construction, the expansion is part of STIHL’s continued investment in vertical integration. The company attributes the success of this project to the close collaboration with its development partners including the City of Virginia Beach.
Dr. Bertram Kandziora, STIHL executive board chairman was present to dedicate the facility and recognize the continued growth and success at STIHL. “While many U.S. companies have chosen to move their operations overseas in pursuit of cheap labor, we have chosen instead to reinvest in our technology, our workforce and our infrastructure here in Virginia Beach.” said Dr. Kandziora. “Simply put, we will continue to design, engineer and build the best outdoor power equipment possible for STIHL servicing dealers and STIHL customers worldwide.”
The new plant adds more than 55,000 square feet, and doubles the capacity of the company’s blow molding operation. The expansion also houses the company’s new 3,200 square foot state-of-the-art data center which is the first of its kind in the world to use computer door coil cooling units in conjunction with geothermal cooling.
STIHL Inc. vice president of operations for manufacturing Christian Koestler said the accessories plant expansion is significant because it represents the evolution the company has undergone through the years expanding from a simple assembly operation in 1974, to an industry leading, vertically integrated manufacturing company. “Unlike many other companies, we have not increased the outsourcing of component manufacturing. Instead, we have taken additional processes in-house to maximize quality, while minimizing material cost increases and achieving delivery efficiencies that make our operation competitive with any in the world.”
STIHL products built in the Virginia Beach, Va., plant are sold in America and exported to over 90 countries around the world.
For more information on STIHL Inc., visit www.stihlusa.com.
About STIHL Inc.
STIHL Inc. manufactures the number one selling brand of gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment in America,* as well as the number one selling brand of chain saws in the world. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast – not mass merchants. STIHL products sold through U.S. STIHL dealers are for distribution in the United States only. For more information or for the name of a local STIHL retailer, call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445), visit stihlusa.com or text your zip code to 78445.
*"Number one selling brand" is based on syndicated Irwin Broh Research (commercial landscapers) as well as independent consumer research of 2009-2011 U.S. sales and market share data for the gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment category combined sales to consumers and commercial landscapers.
STIHL is pleased to support the work of Independent We Stand, the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund), International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), National FFA, Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), the National Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and the National Association of State Park Directors.
For information on job opportunities with STIHL Inc., please go to www.stihlcareers.com. STIHL is an EEO and drug-free work environment.
Dr. Bertram Kandziora, STIHL executive board chairman was present to dedicate the facility and recognize the continued growth and success at STIHL. “While many U.S. companies have chosen to move their operations overseas in pursuit of cheap labor, we have chosen instead to reinvest in our technology, our workforce and our infrastructure here in Virginia Beach.” said Dr. Kandziora. “Simply put, we will continue to design, engineer and build the best outdoor power equipment possible for STIHL servicing dealers and STIHL customers worldwide.”
The new plant adds more than 55,000 square feet, and doubles the capacity of the company’s blow molding operation. The expansion also houses the company’s new 3,200 square foot state-of-the-art data center which is the first of its kind in the world to use computer door coil cooling units in conjunction with geothermal cooling.
STIHL Inc. vice president of operations for manufacturing Christian Koestler said the accessories plant expansion is significant because it represents the evolution the company has undergone through the years expanding from a simple assembly operation in 1974, to an industry leading, vertically integrated manufacturing company. “Unlike many other companies, we have not increased the outsourcing of component manufacturing. Instead, we have taken additional processes in-house to maximize quality, while minimizing material cost increases and achieving delivery efficiencies that make our operation competitive with any in the world.”
STIHL products built in the Virginia Beach, Va., plant are sold in America and exported to over 90 countries around the world.
For more information on STIHL Inc., visit www.stihlusa.com.
About STIHL Inc.
STIHL Inc. manufactures the number one selling brand of gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment in America,* as well as the number one selling brand of chain saws in the world. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast – not mass merchants. STIHL products sold through U.S. STIHL dealers are for distribution in the United States only. For more information or for the name of a local STIHL retailer, call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445), visit stihlusa.com or text your zip code to 78445.
*"Number one selling brand" is based on syndicated Irwin Broh Research (commercial landscapers) as well as independent consumer research of 2009-2011 U.S. sales and market share data for the gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment category combined sales to consumers and commercial landscapers.
STIHL is pleased to support the work of Independent We Stand, the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund), International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), National FFA, Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), the National Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and the National Association of State Park Directors.
For information on job opportunities with STIHL Inc., please go to www.stihlcareers.com. STIHL is an EEO and drug-free work environment.
