Chain, chain, chain: Stihl celebrates 100 years

Words: Linda Nathan, Wood Review Editor

The origins of the chainsaw date from the 1700s where it developed as an instrument to assist childbirth and bone surgery! Thankfully the years have passed, and today’s technology has seen this cutting instrument refined and removed to woodlands, fields and backyard sheds, far away from the world of obstetrics.

Dr Nikolas Stihl, Chairman of Stihl’s Advisory and Supervisory Boards visited Australia for the 100 year celebration.

This year Stihl celebrates 100 years of existence as a family business that has brought some superior technology to foresters, farmers and woodworkers. As a global company based in Germany, celebrations will happen all over the world, however I had the  recent pleasure of attending its Melbourne event. Set in the glorious Royal Botanic Gardens, this was a chance to hear from third-generation family member Dr Nikolas Stihl – and to get up close to the very first model patented in 1926 by his grandfather, Andreas Stihl.

The Elektro STG1 was the very first Stihl model patented and produced in Germany,1926. It was a two-person model with 2.2kw of power output that weighed in at 25kgs. Silvio Matas, Product Manager noted: ‘In comparison, current battery models have a similar output but with a fraction of the weight. It came out with standard 20" bar meant for bucking fallen timber (cutting it into manageable lengths). The wood had to come to the saw, not vice versa as it does today.’

The 20s was an exciting time for innovation, explained Dr Stihl, an engineer who is currently Chairman of Stihl’s Advisory and Supervisory Boards. ‘Stuttgart was a hotspot in those days’, he said. ‘The automobile had been invented – there was Porsche and Mercedes Benz who became leaders in automotive supply. There were universities that produced quality engineers…and above all there was a mindset that the future was there to take hold of. That was why Stuttgart was one of the best places in the world to start a company, which is what my grandfather did and basically invented the modern chainsaw.’

The 1959 Contra, the first ‘modern’ chainsaw

Dr Nikolas Stihl’s father went on to establish production facilities and sales companies abroad. He noted that at that time, banks were reluctant to provide loans for fledgling companies – quite different to the offers the company now receives for help they no longer require!

In 1959 the Contra was introduced and is recognisably the first ‘modern’ chainsaw. Ten years later Stihl was already the leading chainsaw brand in the world. Stihl Australia was founded in 1971 and was the first non-European subsidiary, a company milestone.

One of Rob Bast’s detailed creations. ‘Ninety-seven percent of the work is done with the chainsaw with only minimal cleaning up afterwards’, he said. Rob has a repertoire of wombats, eagles, owls, goannas, akubra hats and more, that he can produce within a couple of hours, and he also creates many larger one-off sculptures. 

A notable change in Stihl Australia’s operations came about after 1979 when the Australian Government increased import duties for certain goods that included chainsaws. In response, Stihl pivoted to ship chainsaw parts that were then assembled locally. Here, Stihl gained an edge on other competitors who simply gave up on the Australian market. Stihl has remained market leader in outdoor power equipment in Australia since then.

In fact, Australians per capita are second place world leaders in owning Stihl products, a position they take up behind New Zealanders! Stihl Australia’s operation has grown from ‘a handful of people’ to a workforce of 110 and more than 600 dealerships. And financially things are going well – revenue increased by 3% in 2025 to an equivalent of over A$9 billion. Over 20,000 people are now employed worldwide and there are eight productions sites around the world.

First look at the MS 500i Centennial Edition chainsaw which pays tribute to its namesake, the world’s first mass produced petrol chainsaw with electronically controlled fuel injection. The limited edition saw is powder coated and has a special rack. It sells for $3,499 and only a few hundred will be available in Australia via an online ballot.

The newest production site is in Moravia, Romania and focuses on battery powered tools, spearheading the company’s transformative drive towards battery powered tools and away from petrol power. With only one in four products currently sold using battery technology, the latter still holds importance as Stihl strives for dual technology leadership and innovation.

Dr Stihl concluded his speech by saying: ‘Stihl’s performance has been based on innovation, high quality, continuous investment and financial independence. Family ownership has given Stihl the freedom to operate with a long-term perspective and gives confidence that it will last with the challenges ahead.’ A one hundred year history lends weight to that statement.

Images courtesy Stihl Australia

Detail of chainsaw carved eagle by Rob Bast