STIHL to build second saw chain plant in Switzerland

The STIHL Group is expanding its production capacity by building a second factory for the manufacture of saw chain at Bronschhofen in the canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland. The new factory is to be erected on the almost 20,000 sq.m site in the next two years to supply the world market. STIHL chairman Dr. Bertram says: “We expect further increases in the demand for saw chain in the long term. This expansion positions us for future growth.”

The STIHL Group has been manufacturing saw chain in Wil, Switzerland, also situated in the canton of St. Gallen, since 1974. A number of locations were considered for the new factory. The existing know-how in chain production in Wil was an important factor in favor of the strategic decision to locate in Switzerland Furthermore, Switzerland generally offers favorable conditions for industrial companies.

Sales of chain produced by STIHL & Co. in Wil, the wholly owned subsidiary of the STIHL Group, have been growing steadily over the years and therefore prompted continuous expansion of the production facilities in Switzerland. The most recent project was a new building to increase capacity in Wil, which was inaugurated in 2005. STIHL & Co. currently employs a workforce of about 650. The special machines used to produce the Swiss saw chains are traditionally designed and built in Waiblingen, the home of the German founding company.

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