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The STIHL Group Posts Record-Breaking 2021 Results

Michael Traub is chairman of the executive board of The STIHL Group.

The STIHL Group achieved record-breaking revenue of 5.06 billion euros in fiscal year 2021, equating to a year-on-year increase of 10.4 percent. The Group, whose headquarters are located in Waiblingen, Germany, generated 90 percent of its sales revenue abroad.

“We exceeded our own expectations in 2021,” said Michael Traub, chairman of the executive board of STIHL, at the press conference presenting the company’s annual results on April 26. “Not only did we achieve new records in terms of sales and production, we also exceeded the 5-billion-euro mark in revenue for the first time in our 96-year history, despite enormously challenging circumstances.”

Even though global disruption to supply chains and severe shortages in materials, capacity and personnel significantly impacted the market supply situation, STIHL was still able to keep its production running at full speed thanks to proactive planning, allowing it to continue providing its customers with STIHL products in the best possible way.

“The new records we achieved in revenue, sales and production in 2021 are a testament to the outstanding performance by the entire STIHL team and the huge amount of dedication and flexibility shown by our workforce,” Traub added. “They have made the impossible possible.”

The gardening and DIY trend—with customers aiming to create a feeling of well-being at home and purchasing high-end gardening products—continued in 2021. Many customers, particularly in Western Europe and North America, have been exploring entirely new approaches to beautifying their green spaces. As a result, demand for high-quality and user-friendly products that further increase the feel-good factor in people’s homes and gardens was particularly strong.

Countless product innovations and favorable weather conditions bolstered sales elsewhere in the world. Online sales saw significant growth. Demand for consumer and professional products increased across all regions. The trend toward battery-operated tools continued overall in the past year, particularly in the consumer goods segment in western industrialized countries. However, demand among professional users for high-performance battery-operated tools also increased. Demand for STIHL’s gasoline-powered products remained brisk as well, with sales also increasing year on year in this segment.

“These figures clearly show that our customers continue to regard both segments as relevant and important,” Traub said. “That’s why we will continue to invest a great deal in the forward-looking battery-operated segment without compromising on our gasoline-powered tool business.”

In many markets, STIHL would have been able to sell more tools under better global supply chain conditions. Production at all locations around the world was at full pace to match strong global demand. Traub said, “We are doing everything in our power to ensure that our customers continue to be supplied with our products. However, it is simply not possible to reliably predict product availability in light of current events. Problems caused by existing supply chain tension will only be exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine.”

STIHL Inc., in Virginia Beach, Va., raised its powerhead production by 19 percent compared to the prior year. By stepping up employee training, the location was able to increase its flexibility in order to respond quickly to changes in the supply chain and in sales.

More production innovations are in the pipeline. The STIHL AP battery power system for professionals, which already encompasses a dozen different applications and over 30 tools, is to be rolled out across multiple products.

The STIHL MSA 300, launched in mid-March 2022, is currently the most powerful battery-operated chainsaw on the market. Its huge range of performance opens up a new dimension of chainsaw work in noise-sensitive environments. The range of applications extends from the selective felling, pruning and cutting to length of medium-sized trees to building with wood.

A brand-new battery pack, the STIHL AP 500 S, was developed to power the STIHL MSA 300. Thanks to its innovative power laminate technology, the new pack offers outstanding performance at a low weight, as well as double the number of possible charging cycles, which significantly increases battery life span compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. The energy capacity has also been increased further.

The recently launched STIHL MSA 220 T is STIHL’s flagship product in the battery-operated tree maintenance range. It is the ideal tool for professional tree maintenance work and has an electronic operating cockpit with an 180° LED display that makes it easy to operate the equipment in any position.

Thanks to the battery-operated STIHL RGA 140 rotary cutting head, which has been on the market since March 2022, professionals at municipalities and in road maintenance, horticulture, landscaping and janitorial services now have a new solution for the low-spin removal of weeds and grass.

STIHL’s first backpack battery-operated blower—the STIHL BGA 300—is set to be launched in September 2022. The STIHL AK battery system, which is designed for private users and semi-professionals, has been rolled out on another new tool in addition to the existing 12 it already powers.

Thanks to its total length of 280 centimeters, the battery-operated STIHL HTA 50 pole pruner, which will be available starting in May 2022, can be used to perform maintenance on ornamental trees and orchard trees from the safety of the ground. It comes standard with the same STIHL 1/4″ PM3 saw chain that is fitted to STIHL’s professional pole pruners.

A new product has been added to the STIHL AS battery system range alongside the two existing best-sellers—the STIHL GTA 26 garden pruner and the STIHL HSA 26 shrub shears—in the shape of the new STIHL SEA 20 battery-operated hand vacuum. This handy new tool is one of the most high-performance hand vacuums in the 10.8 volt category and is perfect for cleaning small areas thanks to its impressive suction power and extensive range of standard features.

The gasoline-powered segment is also set to be expanded: Four new tools—the STIHL FS 361 C-EM, FS 411 C-EM, FS 461 C-EM, and FS 491 C-EM—are set to join the professional gasoline-powered clearing saw range. The new products area ideal for mowing and stripping work in forest and landscape maintenance, as well as for use by municipal authorities and road maintenance services.

The STIHL MS 162 gasoline-powered chainsaw is set to be launched in July 2022. This entry-level chainsaw is lightweight and simple to use while offering excellent value for money. It features a STIHL 2-MIX engine with 1.2 kW of power and is the perfect tool for preparing firewood for burning, tackling construction projects using wood, and felling and pruning smaller trees in gardens.

Long awaited by forestry professionals, the new STIHL Hexa system has been available since February 2022 as an addition to gasoline-powered chainsaws in the mid-performance segment. STIHL’s innovative 3/8″ Rapid Hexa saw chain, with new tooth shape and narrower kerf, outstrips the cutting performance of the STIHL 3/8″ Rapid Super by up to 10 percent. What is more, the brand-new six-sided Hexa sharpening file specially designed for the new saw chain makes for faster chain sharpening at the ideal sharpening angle.

Hans Peter Stihl Celebrates 90th Birthday

Hans Peter White

Hans Peter Stihl celebrated his 90th birthday on April 18, 2022. His 36 years at the helm and his 10 years as chairman of the STIHL advisory and supervisory boards have left a lasting impression on the family-owned company.  

In 1960, Hans Peter Stihl joined the company founded by his father, Andreas Stihl, before 

assuming responsibility for manufacturing and design. When his father passed away in 1973, he became the sole general partner. 

Hans Peter Stihl has always felt a special obligation towards his employees. “Our family-owned company has a long tradition of allowing employees to benefit from our success in the 

form of profit‐participation rights, annual performance-related bonuses and company pension plans,” says Stihl. “Good personal relationships within the company are 

very important to me and have always been fostered.”

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