John Deere and STIHL Announce Agreement to Expand Retail Relationships

Release Date: July 29, 2008

Press Contact:
Anita Gambill
(757) 486-9100

All other inquiries:
STIHL Incorporated
(757) 486-9100

(Virginia Beach, Va.)— STIHL Inc. and John Deere announced today a joint agreement that will permit John Deere’s qualified servicing dealers to carry the STIHL line of handheld outdoor power equipment (OPE) in their stores. “We are very pleased to announce that our equipment has been selected as the ‘preferred brand’ of John Deere,” said STIHL Inc. President, Fred Whyte. The agreement was made between the two OPE manufacturers and outlines that STIHL will be available in the stores of John Deere dealers.

“John Deere’s reputation for manufacturing quality products and providing outstanding service at the dealer level aligns with our long-standing commitment to product quality and top-notch service,” said Whyte. “There are already more than 500 John Deere dealers that currently sell our products throughout the U.S. and Canada, so this is a natural extension of our business model. Additionally, this agreement is totally consistent with the existing pricing, terms and policies of our Branches and Distributors.”

The agreement allows the iconic status of these two outdoor power equipment titans to extend their product, service and brand strengths to a larger number of servicing outdoor power equipment dealers across North America.

About STIHL Inc.
STIHL Inc. manufactures the world’s largest selling brand of chain saws and produces a full line of powerful, lightweight, and versatile handheld outdoor power equipment for homeowners and professional users. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast— not mass merchants. For more information or for the name of the closest STIHL retailer visit the STIHL Web site at www.stihlusa.com.

For information on job opportunities with STIHL Inc., please go to www.stihlcareers.com. STIHL is an EEO and drug-free work environment.

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