optimising power and performance

Andreas Stihl is the clear market leader worldwide when it comes to the design and manufacture of chainsaws and hand-held power tools. Ultra-high performance and unquestionable reliability are the hallmark of this renowned global brand. Philip Yorke looks at the company’s latest innovative products and its strategy for future growth.

Andreas Stihl invented the chainsaw in 1926 and since then its commitment to excellence has become legendary, making it the product of choice for professionals and consumers alike. Based in Walblingen, Germany, the company remains an independent, family-owned business, producing a wide variety of hand-held power tools that range from chainsaws, brush cutters, edgers and hedge trimmers to drills, sprayers and blowers.

Today Andreas Stihl is active in more than 160 countries and operates a number of state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Germany, Switzerland, Brazil and the USA; in 2008 it made a major investment in new facilities in Qingdao, China. In 2016 the company recorded sales of more than €3 billion with over 12,500 employees worldwide. New cordless applications

Innovative, cordless power tools introduced by Stihl for private use have significantly extended the company’s product range. Lightweight, silent and efficient, these tools are ideal for applications in home gardens, especially in city areas, which has become a new target group for the company. Stihl plans to meet the needs of these consumers through its ‘Electric and battery partners’, which are the new dealers in urban areas.

Stihl’s new battery technology increases the scope of applications for power tools. Whereas petrol-powered tools are used primarily on larger properties outside the cities, its silent, cordless power tools are ideal for gardens in densely populated urban areas. In order to

address these customers directly, the company is constantly adding new dealers to its specialist stores network.

The goal of the ‘Stihl Electric and Battery Partnership Initiative’ is to break into the untapped potential of private customers in urban areas. To these new partners, Stihl provides professional advice prior to selling, handing over ready-to-operate tools and offering unrivalled after sales service. These are all mandatory conditions according to the Stihl guidelines for its new specialist stores.

Improving performance and handling

Building upon its reputation for producing the world’s most innovative and efficient range of power tool products, the company has been busy introducing a range of new and improved products such as its latest ‘iMow’ robotic mowers, which take the hard work out of grass cutting. These can be programmed to mow the lawn automatically, avoiding obstacles and mastering hilly terrain. Once its work is completed, or the batteries require charging, the iMow returns automatically to its docking station.

In addition, Stihl’s new MS 261 C-M chainsaw delivers optimal engine performance at all times and can handle a wide range of applications from cutting firewood, thinning work and harvesting small woodland, to felling medium sized stands of trees. This compact and powerful chainsaw is fitted with the company’s unique M-Tronic, fully electronic engine management system as standard. The significant product benefits keep this range of chainsaws from Stihl at the forefront of chainsaw technology.

Yet another product that tops the league in terms of design and efficiency is Stihl’s new, ultra-high-performance professional blower, with a full-length adjustable blower tube and handle position arrangement that avoids the need for tools. High blowing force combined with low weight, make this advanced blower ideal for removing grass and hedge cuttings, as well as for removing leaves and debris from large areas. This latest blower features the Stihl anti-vibration system, wide shoulder straps, hip belt, 4-MX engine, simple start logic and infinitely variable locking throttle lever with integrated carrying handle.

Supplier contributions rewarded

Recently Andreas Stihl AG & Co. honoured six of its key suppliers with its coveted ‘Supplier of the Year 2016’ award. The company has presented this award to a total of 100 suppliers since it was established in 1990. Twenty-two of these companies have won the special award since, eight have been honoured three times, two four times and two suppliers five times.

The assessment criteria for the award include outstanding accomplishments for quality, technology, innovation, service and priceperformance ratio. The annual award spotlights the suppliers who have supported Stihl in a special way with their high supply quality, punctual deliveries, flexibility, cooperation and special know-how.

The six award winners for 2016 were: Hans Kolb Wellpappe GmbH & Co. KG. Memmingen, Germany (Packaging); Ipan Gmbh. Munchen-Haar, Germany (Renewals for protection of intellectual property rights); Radici Novacips SpA Chignolo d’Isola (BG) Italy (Plastic Resin); Reinhold Burkle Technische Federn GmbH Kernen I.R. Germany (Stamping and wire forming parts); SIIX Corp. Osaka, Japan and IIda Denki Kogyo Co., Ltd. Tokyo, Japan (Electronic modules and electromechanical assemblies). n

For further details of these awards and Andreas Stihl’s unique range of innovative, powertool products visit: www.stihl.com