Stihl is set to celebrate its centennial anniversary this year, which will be marked by company-hosted events and product offerings for employees and fans globally.
At the Waiblingen, Germany, site, employees can anticipate a special party in July 2026, part of several events planned across Stihl locations worldwide. The main public celebration will feature the Stihl Timbersports Series World Championships on Oct. 30-31, 2026. The competition, which allows athletes to compete against each other in various challenging disciplines, is scheduled to take place in Stuttgart, Germany, where Stihl was founded.
To commemorate the anniversary, fans can purchase a range of exclusive merchandise, including bags and hoodies, in the official Stihl brand store. Customers can also expect a wide array of discounts available worldwide.
For those interested in the company’s history, the Stihl anniversary website presents a curated collection of stories from its first 100 years, along with insights into the company’s present and future
What began as a one-man operation in a Stuttgart workshop in 1926 has since become a global manufacturer for battery- and gasoline-powered equipment in forestry, landscaping and residential use. The family-owned company, rooted in the tradition of gasoline-powered products, consciously pursues a dual strategy today. Stihl stated it 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,” said 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.”
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.
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 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, the company stated it is also demonstrating how the CO2 emissions from its combustion engine products can be further reduced.
In addition, the Stihl MS 500i Centennial Edition gasoline-powered chainsaw features a black design and pays tribute to the Stihl MS 500i mass-produced gasoline chainsaw with electronically controlled fuel injection. It will be available in a limited run from selected retailers.
