Waiblingen, 10/14/2019 | Company press release
STIHL Inc. strengthens its manufacturing activities in America and inaugurates a new building
STIHL Inc., the US company within the STIHL Group, held a ceremony on October 10, 2019 to mark the opening of a new administrative building at its base in Virginia Beach. The 7,500-square-meter building brings together Marketing and Sales, Finance and Controlling, Legal, and Customer and Technical Services under one roof. A number of expansion and optimization measures were also carried out at the company site. With a volume of around 30 million US dollars, the project is part of the company’s ongoing infrastructure investments to support STIHL’s growing business in the United States. Dr. Nikolas Stihl, Chairman of the STIHL Advisory Board and Supervisory Board, emphasized: “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 commitment to the Virginia Beach location as well as an expression of our confidence in further growth in America.”
Modernization for employees and dealers
Bjoern Fischer, Managing Director of STIHL Inc., enthused: “After 45 years of growth and expansion in Virginia Beach, we are looking forward to a continued positive economic environment for our successful, advanced 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 dealers and their customers even more effectively.” One of the facilities STIHL Inc. created during the building work is a state-of-the-art training center for STIHL dealers, with an outdoor area that offers space for practical training sessions and product tests. Other developments include a STIHL Concept Store, which contains a modern sales space and a chainsaw helix art installation showcasing more than 30 STIHL chainsaws to commemorate more than 90 years of company history.
A 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 the most significant market for STIHL. The cities of Virginia Beach and Waiblingen, where the STIHL Group headquarters are located, have been closely interconnected for many years. Regular student exchanges take place between Tallwood High School and the Staufer Gymnasium school, as well as between Cox High School and the Salier-Gymnasium school, 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 Sister Cities since 2017.
