STIHL Inc., the STIHL Group's US company based in Virginia Beach, held a ceremony on 10 October 2019 to mark the opening of a new administrative building. The 7,500-square-metre complex brings Marketing and Sales, Finance and Controlling, Legal, and Customer and Technical Services together under one roof. A number of expansion and optimization measures were also carried out on the company site. Backed by an investment volume of approximately 30 million US dollars, the project is part of the company's ongoing investment activities in infrastructure to support STIHL's growing business in the United States. Dr Nikolas Stihl, Chairman of the Advisory Board and Supervisory Board at STIHL, said: "STIHL Inc. has a significant role in the STIHL Group. We generate around 30 percent of our global revenue in the United States. The new building is a clear affirmation of our Virginia Beach location as well as an expression of our confidence in further growth in the American market."
Modernisation for employees and specialist dealers
Bjoern Fischer, President of STIHL Inc., noted: "After 45 years of growth and expansion in Virginia Beach, we are looking forward to a continued positive economic environment for our successful, modern manufacturing operations in the city." This new building will improve the company's administrative and operational efficiency, meaning that we can serve our network of more than 9,000 STIHL specialist dealers and their customers even more effectively." One of the facilities STIHL Inc. created in the course of the building measures is a state-of-the-art training centre for STIHL dealers with an outdoor area that provides space for practical training sessions and product tests. Other developments include a STIHL Concept Store, which contains a contemporary sales space, and a chainsaw helix art installation showcasing more than 30 STIHL chainsaws from various points in the company's history, which goes back over 90 years.
Close connection between STIHL, Virginia Beach and Waiblingen
STIHL Inc., based in Virginia Beach, was founded in 1974. It now employs more than 2,100 workers and is a major component in the global STIHL sales and manufacturing network. The United States is STIHL's most important market. The cities of Virginia Beach and Waiblingen, where the STIHL Group's headquarters are located, have been closely interconnected for many years. Regular student exchanges take place between Tallwood High School and Staufer Gymnasium as well as between Cox High School and Salier-Gymnasium, all financially supported by STIHL. There are also close links between the two areas' fire departments and artists' groups. Virginia Beach and Waiblingen have been Friendship Cities since 2017.