STIHL Inc. celebrated a milestone in its history as the 40 millionth powerhead manufactured in the U.S. rolled off the line. President Fred Whyte accepted an MS 290 STIHL FARM BOSS^® chain saw, from Executive Vice President of Operations Peter Mueller in front of a gathering of STIHL employees.

“This unit is symbolic of years of hard work and dedication by all of our STIHL employees, from the men and women in product assembly and manufacturing to our territory managers across the country,” said Whyte. “We are the number one selling brand of gasoline-powered handheld outdoor equipment in the country for a reason, and today I salute each and every person responsible for this success.”

STIHL Inc., one of several manufacturing facilities in the STIHL Group worldwide, has been headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., since 1974. The company began its U.S. operations with 50 employees and manufacturing a single model of chain saw. Since then, production has grown and the company now employs more than 2,000 people nationwide, 1,800 in Virginia Beach, and produces a full line of high-quality, handheld outdoor power equipment including blowers, trimmers, brushcutters, and multi-task tools, as well as the number one selling brand of chain saws worldwide. In addition to serving the U.S. market, the company exports to over 90 countries.