Stihl invests $60MM in battery manufacturing
With more than 84,000 square feet dedicated to battery manufacturing in America, Stihl is reasserting its commitment to the electrification of outdoor power equipment. The company said that, through 2025, it will have invested more than $60 million toward battery manufacturing, including the production of battery-powered equipment and battery packs to at its factory in Virginia Beach, Va.
Stihl’s product range includes more than 80 battery-operated tools for consumers and professionals, with 30 new battery-operated products scheduled to hit the market worldwide over the next two years. The manufacturer aims to increase the share of sales from battery-operated products to at least 35 percent by 2027, with a target of 80 percent by 2035. To help meet that goal, Stihl converted 84,000 square feet of warehouse space to battery tool manufacturing in 2023.
“In producing our battery products here in the United States, we prioritize excellence, leveraging our vertically integrated manufacturing processes to ensure the highest quality standards,” said Stihl President and CEO Chris Keffer.
In 2023, battery unit production accounted for 16 percent of all units produced at Stihl, compared to five years ago when just one battery-powered model was assembled in the U.S. What started as one assembly line with less than 10 employees grew to more than 100 employees dedicated to battery products and battery pack manufacturing. By the end of 2023, battery unit production capacity at Stihl increased by more than 150 percent year-over-year.
