Rich heritage and a vision for the future

“Contra House” – this is the evocative name given to the new headquarters of STIHL GB. Spanning 11,500 square meters, the main building is named in tribute to the STIHL Contra petrol chainsaw developed by company founder Andreas Stihl. The distribution center, which covers more than 9,000 square meters, is also new. This is most impressive for its state-of-the-art order picking and storage systems. Thanks to careful planning and advanced technology, the new location guarantees excellent delivery and customer service.

Dr. Nikolas Stihl, Chairman of the STIHL Advisory Board, opened the new headquarters of STIHL GB together with Sarah Gewert, Executive Board Member for Marketing & Sales, Kay Green (left), Managing Director of STIHL GB, and city council member Pat Tedder (right), Mayor of Surrey Heath.

IN IT TOGETHER
STIHL has been represented in the UK for 46 years; the marketing and sales operation was founded in 1978. Originally based in the small town of Woking, the company later moved to Camberley (Surrey). STIHL GB grew steadily and then gained profile primarily through the sale of the STIHL TS 410 cut-off machine. Sales increased rapidly between 2013 and 2016, and they hit the 100-million-pound mark for the first time in 2016. In 2018, STIHL GB celebrated its 40th anniversary with the TIMBERSPORTS® World Championship event in Liverpool. Due to growing storage requirements, STIHL has been looking for a new location for several years. A suitable plot of land was eventually found in Camberley, and the development was approved by the local council in 2020.

STRONG COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY
The finished Contra House is a shining example not only of modern design, but also sustainable construction. The building is certified in accordance with the high BREEAM standards and includes a photovoltaic system which covers two thirds of the roof area. There are also 21 charging stations for electric vehicles, which underlines STIHL GB’s awareness of its responsibility for sustainability and environmental awareness. BREEAM, one of the oldest sustainable building certification organizations, assesses and certifies buildings in areas such as energy efficiency, health and innovation

MODERN WORKPLACES

The new site is already providing more than a hundred employees with a modern working environment. Employee wellbeing as well as efficient customer service are supported with high-quality training facilities for dealers, a film studio, collaborative workspaces, a canteen and a fully equipped workshop.

A REASON TO CELEBRATE
Contra House is a symbol of innovation and excellent customer service, as well as a significant milestone in the history of STIHL GB. Kay Green, Managing Director of STIHL GB, expressed her enthusiasm about the inauguration and emphasized the importance of the new headquarters for the future of the company: “The inauguration symbolizes a significant step forward in our commitment to product innovation and delivering exceptional service to our customers and our retail network. We are very excited to inaugurate this new facility, which not only embodies our rich heritage but also demonstrates our vision for the future.”

The inauguration symbolizes a significant step forward in our commitment to product innovation and delivering exceptional service to our customers and our retail network. We are very excited to inaugurate the new facility, which not only embodies our rich heritage, but also demonstrates our vision for the future.

Kay Green, STIHL GB Managing Director

The opening was celebrated in style. Guests were able to take part in activities such as guided tours of the new location, a fashion show in the STIHL Brand Shop and entertainment from British TIMBERSPORTS® athletes. A special highlight was an auction of carvings that raised 5,500 pounds for the British charity “Perennial”.