Waiblingen, 12.01.2026 | Press Release
“Built for Nature” for 100 years and counting
What began as a one-man operation in a Stuttgart workshop in 1926 has since become a global standard for battery- and gasoline-powered equipment in forestry, landscaping and residential use. The family-owned company STIHL, rooted in the tradition of gasoline-powered products, consciously pursues a dual strategy today. This Waiblingen-based global company sees great potential in battery technology – and its future in dual technology leadership.
“Any company that reaches the grand old age of 100 hasn’t got there by relying on tradition alone,” says Dr. Nikolas Stihl, Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Advisory Board of STIHL. “It can only stay successful for a century if it knows its roots, while also recognizing when it’s time to start a new chapter. With that in mind, our anniversary is not just a time to look back, but also a moment to recognize the strength that comes from our combination of heritage, engineering expertise, and the courage to innovate.”
This approach is underlined by the company’s slogan: “Built for Nature. Trusted since 1926,” which honors STIHL’s roots. Right from the start, the company has manufactured revolutionary products designed “to make working with and in nature easier” for forestry workers, as founder Andreas Stihl (1896–1973) once put it. This maxim still reflects the company’s commitment to care for and protect nature.
Products for dual technology leadership
The company’s stated aim is to achieve a leading position in the global battery market. The proportion of battery-powered products at STIHL is steadily increasing, now comprising one in four STIHL products sold. Battery-powered tools are particularly popular in Western Europe: In countries such as Germany and Switzerland, sales of STIHL battery-powered products already exceed 60 percent. The company recently inaugurated its eighth production site. The plant in Oradea, Romania, focuses entirely on the production of battery-powered tools for the European market. However, high-quality gasoline-powered products, in which STIHL continues to invest for future viability and sustainability, remain an integral part of the STIHL product family. “We’ve been the best-selling chainsaw brand on the global market since 1971, and we want to build on that success,” says Michael Traub, Chairman of the STIHL Executive Board. “STIHL stands for quality products, regardless of the power source.”
The balance between gasoline and battery technology and the envisaged dual technology leadership will be evident in the products that the company is set to launch in its anniversary year. In addition to pioneering new products in the battery sector, customers can also look forward to innovative gasoline-powered tools. With its new synthetic, biogenic fuel, STIHL MotoMix 100, STIHL is also demonstrating how the CO2 emissions from its combustion engine products can be further reduced. The STIHL MS 500i Centennial Edition gasoline-powered chainsaw is a testament to the company’s engineering skills, development expertise and passion for innovation. Featuring an elegant black design, this anniversary edition is truly eye-catching and will be available in a limited run from selected retailers. Above all, it pays tribute to the famous STIHL MS 500i – the world’s first mass-produced gasoline chainsaw with electronically controlled fuel injection.
Company-wide celebrations and fascinating stories
Of course, there will be plenty of celebrations in STIHL’s anniversary year. At the Waiblingen site, employees can look forward to a special employee party in July 2026 – just one of many planned events. STIHL locations around the world will also celebrate the anniversary with their employees in style. On October 30 and 31, 2026, the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Series World Championships will take place in Stuttgart, the birthplace of STIHL. Athletes will compete against each other in a variety of disciplines and test their skills in challenging contests. Fans of STIHL will have the opportunity to purchase a range of anniversary products - such as bags and hoodies - in the STIHL brand store and show their support for the company’s proud heritage. They can also look forward to a wide range of discounts worldwide. On its special anniversary website, STIHL has compiled a collection of stories from its first 100 years, as well as offering glimpses of the company’s present and future. The platform invites interested readers to discover the company’s defining values and innovations from a fresh perspective and sheds light on many topics from a new and exciting angle. Many of these stories have never been told before and may surprise even longstanding STIHL employees.
