STIHL celebrates 100 years with a focus on innovation and user needs

STIHL has been part of Elmia Wood since the trade fair was first held in 1975. For Kjell Svensson, Managing Director of STIHL Norden, the long-standing relationship is highly significant – not least because the fair offers an opportunity to meet users in the environment where the products truly belong.

– Elmia Wood has long been a very important meeting place for the entire forestry industry. For us, it is not only about showcasing products, but also about meeting the people who use the machines every day and gaining a better understanding of how their work and needs are changing in real life, says Kjell Svensson, Managing Director of STIHL Norden.

Being able to demonstrate technology in the right environment is also a key part of the fair’s value.

– Products for forestry work need to be experienced and tested where they are actually used, and this is where Elmia Wood plays an important role.

STIHL’s long presence at Elmia Wood also reflects the importance of the Nordic forestry market to the company – and the role of the fair as a meeting place for the development of the industry.

For STIHL, the 100th anniversary is also an important milestone.

- One hundred years is, of course, a very special milestone for us. It says something about the strength of combining tradition with the ambition to keep moving forward. STIHL has always had strong roots in practical work in the forest and in nature, and that is still where much of our drive comes from, says Kjell Svensson.

At the same time, he emphasises that the anniversary is not only about looking back. The industry is currently undergoing rapid development, with electrification, working environment and sustainability becoming increasingly important.

- A great deal is happening in the industry right now, not least in areas such as electrification, working environment and sustainability. These are developments we want to continue to help drive forward.

According to Kjell Svensson, one important reason STIHL has continued to develop over generations is the company’s close connection to its users and their everyday work.

- Our innovations come from the concrete needs of users in the forest and at their worksites.

He also highlights long-term thinking as an important factor in the company’s development.

- As a family-owned company, STIHL has been able to take a long-term perspective and invest in technology and development even as the market changes. We can see this clearly today, as we continue to develop both battery-powered and petrol-driven products in parallel, because needs differ depending on the user and the task at hand.”

Several significant product launches are planned during the year. One of them is ALLPRO, the next generation of STIHL’s battery system for professional users.

- We have several important launches coming up this year, which clearly reflect the development we are seeing in the industry. Demand for battery-powered solutions continues to grow, but for many operations it is still very much about practical considerations – such as runtime, charging, power output and flexibility in daily work.”

ALLPRO has been developed to meet the demands of forestry, landscaping and green space maintenance, with a focus on high performance, very fast charging times and long service life. The system is also compatible with existing products, enabling customers to build on the investments they have already made.

STIHL will also present new products in both the battery and petrol segments. One example is the MS 300, developed with a focus on high power in a lightweight and agile format for professional forestry work.

According to Kjell Svensson, the rapid pace of technological development, combined with the fact that many operations are using several energy solutions in parallel, makes Elmia Wood 2027 an important meeting place for discussions about the future of the industry.

- What is particularly interesting right now is how quickly development is moving, and how many operations are working with several energy solutions in parallel. I believe Elmia Wood 2027 will be an important meeting place for discussing what the machine fleet of the future will look like.

Looking ahead, STIHL’s continued relevance will depend on understanding users’ everyday work and the changes taking place in the industry. Technology is developing rapidly, but ultimately it is about creating products and solutions that make a real difference in daily operations.

- I also believe that issues such as working environment, safety and sustainability will become even more important going forward. The entire industry needs to continue developing together.

- For STIHL, the future is about continuing to combine innovation and new technology with the quality and reliability that users expect from us.