What began in 1926 as a one-man operation in a Stuttgart workshop has grown into a company that today sets global standards for battery- and gasoline-powered equipment used in forestry, landscaping, by private gardeners, and, not least, by lifesavers. Building on a tradition of gasoline-powered products, the family-owned company STIHL now deliberately pursues a dual strategy. The globally positioned company from Waiblingen sees great potential in battery technology—and its future in dual technological leadership.

“A fusion of heritage, engineering excellence, and the courage to innovate”

“A company that reaches 100 years of age does not thrive on tradition alone. A company can only remain successful for over a century if it understands its roots while also recognizing when a new chapter begins,” says Dr. Nikolas Stihl, Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Advisory Board at STIHL. “Our anniversary is therefore not just a look back, but also a moment to remind ourselves of the strength that arises from the combination of heritage, engineering expertise, and the courage to innovate.” This approach is also underscored by the motto “At home in nature. Since 1926.” It anchors STIHL in its roots. For right from the start of the company’s history, there were revolutionary products designed to “make working with and in nature easier for forestry workers,” as company founder Andreas Stihl (1896–1973) once put it succinctly. This maxim is still meant to express the company’s commitment today to treating nature with care and protection.

Products for Dual Technological Leadership

The company’s stated goal is to achieve a leading position in the global battery-powered market. And the share of battery-powered products at STIHL is steadily increasing. Today, one in four STIHL products sold is battery-powered. Battery-powered tools are particularly popular in Western Europe: in countries like Germany and Switzerland, sales of STIHL battery-powered products already account for more than 60 percent of the total. As a result, 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 whose future viability and sustainability STIHL continues to invest, remain an integral part of the STIHL product family. “We have been the best-selling chainsaw brand on the global market since 1971, and we intend to build on this success. STIHL stands for quality products—regardless of the power source,” emphasizes Michael Traub, CEO of STIHL.

The Coexistence and Synergy of Gasoline and Battery Technology

The coexistence and synergy of gasoline and battery technology, along with the company’s goal of achieving dual technological leadership, is also evident in the products the company will launch during its anniversary year. In addition to forward-looking innovations in the battery sector, customers can look forward to innovative gasoline-powered products. With the new synthetic, bio-based fuel STIHL MotoMix 100, STIHL is also demonstrating how CO2 emissions from its combustion-engine products can be further reduced. The STIHL MS 500i Centennial Edition gasoline chainsaw, however, is not merely intended to serve as a monument to the company’s engineering expertise, development capabilities, and passion for innovation. The anniversary edition, featuring a black 100th-anniversary design, is a real eye-catcher and will be available in a limited edition at select dealers. Above all, the anniversary chainsaw is a tribute to the famous STIHL MS 500i—the world’s first mass-produced gasoline chainsaw with electronically controlled fuel injection.

Extensive celebrations and diverse stories

The anniversary year will also feature plenty of celebrations: At the Waiblingen site, for example, employees can look forward to a special staff party in July 2026—just one of many planned events. STIHL locations around the world will also be marking the anniversary in style with their employees. On October 30 and 31, 2026, the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series World Championship will take place in Stuttgart, the birthplace of STIHL. Athletes will compete against one another in various disciplines and face off in challenging competitions. Fans of the brand can purchase a variety of anniversary products, such as bags and hoodies, at the STIHL Brand Shop to show their connection to the long-standing brand. They can also look forward to a wide range of discount promotions worldwide. On a dedicated anniversary website, STIHL brings together diverse stories from its first 100 years and offers a glimpse into the present and future. The platform invites interested visitors to discover the company’s defining values and innovations from a fresh perspective and sheds light on many topics from a new, exciting angle. Many of these stories have never been told this way before and are sure to surprise even die-hard STIHL fans.