Stihl dedicates $25M manufacturing plant in Virginia

STIHL Inc., manufacturer of the world’s largest-selling brand of chain saws, recently dedicated its newest facility. The 60,000-square-foot guide bar production plant in Virginia Beach, Va., represents an investment of $25 million and the latest in emerging technology and is the first time the manufacturer has produced its guide bars the in the U.S. Hans Peter Stihl, chairman of the supervisory board of STIHL AG, and son of STIHL’s founder, Andreas Stihl, pushed the ceremonial “start button” to bring the plant to life.

Mr. Stihl, speaking to dignitaries, employees and trade and local media, was proud of the U.S. plant’s growth. "In 1974, we began with less than 50 employees in a small 20,000-square-foot warehouse in the Airport Industrial Park. We have now grown to more than one million square feet of manufacturing and administration space in Virginia Beach with more than 2,000 employees nationwide. This extraordinary growth is unprecedented within our global manufacturing efforts."

Mr. Stihl was joined by Fred J. Whyte, president of STIHL Inc., who commented on the company’s reputation for innovation and quality, "The hallmark of STIHL has always been innovation and a never-ending pursuit of manufacturing excellence. What you see here in this building is representative of the very best STIHL has to offer. A vision that through the efforts of our engineers and manufacturing personnel has become a reality, and another first for STIHL."

Whyte also indicated that with North America as one of STIHL’s largest markets, manufacturing guide bars in the U.S. would create efficiencies advantageous to its operation and create more jobs locally.

Peter Mueller, executive vice president of operations for STIHL Inc., added. "This facility is the most highly automated guide bar plant in the world. Several STIHL technology patents are part of our guide bar process, and even the machines themselves are designed and patented by STIHL. From the special alloy used in manufacturing to the 100 percent inspection, this guide bar plant represents the very latest in STIHL technology and processes."

In addition to the commitment to technology and quality, the company is committed to socially responsible environmental stewardship in its products and manufacturing processes. As an example, the company cites the new guide bar facility roof, which, according to Dan Beck of Beck Roofing in Norfolk, Va., is the largest privately funded green roof in Virginia. “It’s a good use of space in that it puts more than 56,000 sedum plants on the roof to make it a ‘living’ roof, which cools the building in the summer and retains heat in the cooler months, lowering energy usage.”

The green roof reduces energy consumption and costs, extends roof life, improves sound insulation and decreases stormwater runoff.

STIHL is the only chain saw manufacturer to produce its own guide bars and saw chain. The original guide bar facility is located in Waiblingen, Germany, and saw chain manufacturing is based in Switzerland. STIHL’s Virginia Beach campus now includes eight buildings on three parcels of land that total more than 83 acres.