Responsibility

Sustainable business operations

STIHL focuses on sustainable business success in order to ensure and increase value added over the long term. Since the company was founded by Andreas Stihl in 1926, it has developed from a one-man firm into an internationally active manufacturer of chain saws and other power tools. Steady and organic growth allows us to continuously strengthen our competitive position, to stand firm also in times of crisis, and to create secure jobs.

Sustainable management
STIHL is a medium-sized family-owned company. It is the stated goal of the owning family that STIHL continues to be owned by the descendants of the company's founder, Andreas Stihl. Since 2002, the company's operations have been managed by an executive board without any family members; since 2003, the executive board's chairman has been Dr. Bertram Kandziora. Continuity in thoughts and actions is an important basis of the company's success. In this context, STIHL focuses on its core competencies: the development, manufacture and distribution of chain saws and other power tools.

Independence
STIHL places great value on independence. STIHL Holding AG & Co. KG and all the related production and sales companies are not listed on the stock exchange, but are 100 percent family owned. With an equity ratio of more than 70 percent, we are independent of banks and capital markets. We can generally finance investments out of our own cash flows. This allows us to implement long-term strategies also in times when the capital markets or economic conditions are difficult. In order to guarantee our independence and planning security over the long term, particular emphasis is placed on depth of manufacturing, organic growth and the development of expertise.

Site guarantees
STIHL has a clear commitment to Germany as a manufacturing site. In 2015, ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG agreed with the General Employee Council on the continuation and further development of the company's own employment and site-guarantee agreement until December 31, 2021. In this way, the company has given its core workforce an employment guarantee, and sent out a signal of confidence in the future in the middle of the global economic crisis.

Long-term social involvement
STIHL supports social involvement; employees at all sites perform voluntary tasks and hold honorary positions. By means of donations, we support projects in the company's region and in fields related to our products. Long-term social involvement is a firm element of company policy at STIHL, and a good example in this respect is set by the owners.