Stihl power tools and equipment

Stihl is a globally recognized manufacturer of outdoor power equipment, most famous for its invention of the handheld mobile chainsaw. Founded in 1926 by Andreas Stihl in Stuttgart, Germany, the company initially focused on steam-powered stationary felling machines before transitioning to portable gasoline and electric powered saws.

Today, Stihl remains a family-owned enterprise, managed by the descendants of the founder. Manufacturing is distributed across a strategic global network; gasoline-powered tools are largely manufactured in Germany and the United States (Virginia Beach), while electric and cordless products are increasingly produced in specialized facilities like those in Austria and China. The brand is unique in the industry for manufacturing its own saw chains and guide bars, primarily in Switzerland.

Ownership of the Stihl Group remains entirely private, held through a holding company by the Stihl family. This private structure allows the brand to maintain a premium positioning and a focus on long-term technological innovation without the pressures of public stock market reporting.