The first edition of the employee magazine appears in July 1960 as an insert in “Holz und Motor”, the magazine for STIHL customers and fans, informing employees at the company’s headquarters to this day.
1960 - 1969
1960 - 1969
Company history
1961: A new plant in South Baden
STIHL establishes a production facility in Wiechs am Randen on 1 January 1961. Andreas Stihl’s father comes from this town on the border to Switzerland. Hardly more than a goodwill gesture at first, the plant keeps expanding over the decades and is firmly established in the global STIHL production network today.
1962: The first complete catalogue
For the first time, STIHL presents its extensive range of equipment for forest operations in a complete catalogue, which is published annually from then on From the one-person gearless chainsaw to the earth auger for digging planting holes, STIHL sets the direction with its modern forestry technology products.
1963: Golden Contra
To mark the production of its 200,000th chainsaw, STIHL sends out a GOLDEN CONTRA every month in the winter of 1962/63. The customer who finds the gold-painted chainsaw in the shipping carton is invited to test the saw – and does not have to pay for it.
1965: A new plant for chains and bars
Plant 2 in Waiblingen-Neustadt is built as a state-of-the-art facility for the production of saw chains and bars, which the company has manufactured itself since its founding.
1966: The first own sales office
In Vienna, STIHL takes over the operations of the Austrian general agency, thereby laying the foundation for its own sales organisation. The development of a worldwide distribution network makes a major contribution to sales growth in the following decades.
1968: Growth of STIHL customer service
Almost 40 years after the first sales office opened, 900 STIHL service centres with replacement parts on stock guarantee advice and support across West Germany.
1969: New records for STIHL
The one millionth chainsaw leaves the production line. Annual revenue exceeds 100 million marks for the first time.
Product history
1961: The Contra’s “little sister – STIHL 07
The gearless 07 is presented at the industrial trade fair in Hanover. It is designed for use in moderate growth.
1963: One for all – the STIHL 08
The 08 marks the launch of a tool that is more than just a chainsaw – the engine is designed for multiple applications. Over time, attachments for new uses are released: the BT 308 two-person auger (1964), the TS 08 as the first STIHL cut-off saw (1964), the BT 309 one-person auger (1966) and the FS 08 brush cutter (1966)
1964: STIHL anti-vibration system
STIHL is the first manufacturer to equip its chainsaws with an anti-vibration handle. It absorbs the vibrations from the engine and the moving chain before they can be transferred to the operator. Thanks to the STIHL AV system, the white finger syndrome, dreaded among forestry workers, becomes a thing of the past.
1966: STIHL 040 chainsaw
On the company’s 40th anniversary, STIHL presents the 040 one-person saw – and a technology sensation: with 3.7 hp the machine weighs only 6.8 kg. This marks the first time a power to weight ratio ratio of less than 2.0 kg per unit of horsepower is achieved.
1967: Add-on hedge trimmer
Hedge trimmer attachments designed for the toughest conditions are introduced for STIHL chainsaws.
1968: Electronic ignition system
With the 041 AV electronic chainsaw, an electronic ignition system ensures trouble-free starting and optimum combustion for the first time.
