FELCO, the manufacturer of professional pruning shears and cable cutters, is to cooperate with chain saw and power tool manufacturer STIHL in the area of cordless pruning shears. A global collaboration contract covering distribution, co-branding, technological developments and market penetration was signed by STIHL and its affiliate VIKING on one hand and FELCO and its spin-off FELCO Motion on the other hand at FELCO premises, in Les Geneveys-sur-Coffrane, Neuchâtel (Switzerland) on May 7th, 2014. Two family-owned companies, decades of experience, each a specialist in its own field, strict quality standards and a high level of in-house production: There are many aspects that STIHL and FELCO have in common. This prompted the idea of joining forces to fill a gap in the STIHL product portfolio to the benefit of both parties. STIHL executive board member Norbert Pick explains: "STIHL expands the range of products which can be powered with our battery system." "This partnership marks a new milestone at FELCO. It inaugurates a new era in terms of new and co-developed products as well as synergies in marketing and distribution for our companies. Both sides win," says FELCO managing director Christophe Nicolet. The first co-developped tool, the ASA 85 cordless pruning shears, will be added to the STIHL product line this autumn.
Felco SA possesses 70 years of experience in the cutting and pruning expertise, associated with its young spin-off FELCO Motion, engine of the technological innovations dedicated to the new generation of electro-portable tools. The company is highly recognized by STIHL for its technology and manufacturing expertise in manual and battery powered pruning tools. The cooperation agreement will not be limited to cordless pruning shears: STIHL recently began selling, under its own brand, hand saws produced by FELCO. In addition, STIHL will further gradually extend its line with FELCO pruning shears and loppers starting in 2015. In this case, the origin of the products remains evident. Both STIHL and FELCO will appear on the packaging with their respective logos and brand colors. Christophe Nicolet illustrates: "We are confident that both OEM products and co-branded FELCO manual pruning shears will strengthen our global presence in professional pruning tools. Through this cooperation, both STIHL and FELCO are offering a better access to end-users looking for innovative pruning solutions."