1940 - 1949

Company history

1940: Founding of the training workshop
1940: Founding of the training workshop

STIHL sets up an apprenticeship division with a training workshop. Thanks to in-house training, the employees are tied to STIHL from the outset.

1942: STIHL in wartime
1942: STIHL in wartime

Despite conscription and frequent air raids, production continues to increase. Together with other companies, STIHL is commissioned to produce the KS 43 standard chainsaw for the forestry authorities and the German Armed Forces.

1944: Destruction of the factory
1944: Destruction of the factory

During the bombing of Stuttgart, the STIHL plant in Cannstatt is severely damaged. The entire production facilities are relocated to Neustadt (Waiblingen).

1945: Start of reconstruction
1945: Start of reconstruction

CEO Andreas Stihl is temporarily detained by the allies at the end of World War II. Rebuilding of the company that has been placed under trust management begins with only 80 employees remaining.

1948: New beginning in Neustadt
1948: New beginning in Neustadt

After he is exonerated in the denazification process, Andreas Stihl is permitted to take back control of his plant and begins expanding the branch in Neustadt (Waiblingen) into today’s STIHL headquarters.

Product history

1943: KS 43 two-person petrol-powered chainsaw
1943: KS 43 two-person petrol-powered chainsaw

The blower, tank and carburettor housing on the KS 43 “power saw” (8 hp, 36 kg) are made of especially lightweight magnesium die cast material.

1949: Type 140 all-purpose tractor
1949: Type 140 all-purpose tractor

The STIHL forwarder is powered by an air-cooled two-stroke diesel engine produced in-house. Until 1963, the production of the utility vehicle for agricultural and forestry use, which makes a place for itself among the leading brands from major companies, proves that STIHL can build far more than just chainsaws.