STIHL Inc leads Cutting-Edge Manufacturing Camp for Students

Recently we and several partners held our our first annual Manufacturing Technology Summer Camp.  With more than 30 high school students from 15 schools in North Carolina, Southeastern Virginia and District of Columbia participating the event was a huge success!

The camp activities included tours of the Virginia Beach facility and classes on cutting-edge manufacturing technologies like computer-controlled machining and robotics, giving these students a taste of modern manufacturing.



Lorraine Wagner, director of manufacturing for STIHL Inc.,

with Rachael Lockwood, a camp team leader and

student at Warhill High School in Williamsburg, Va.



Business and Education Partnerships Prepare Youth for Future Careers  

Business and education partnership programs like this are becoming more important because federal funding for vocational training and education is at risk of being cut by 20 percent. Our goal was to use this camp to introduce bright, young students to modern manufacturing through a variety of hands-on activities, getting them interested in our industry and giving them the tools they need to be successful in their future careers.



Manufacturing Competition Tests Skills



Alex Farmer engraves round clock face

on 3-axis CNC engraving mill.

On the final day of the camp, students were organized into five teams to manufacture clocks. They were evaluated by local academic, corporate and community leaders based on production efficiency, inventory management, quality standards and innovative thinking. Each school with a winning team member won a First Technical Challenge startup kit from FIRST Robotics, and each student earned a $1,000 Virginia Industry Foundation scholarship for their future education.

The competition was judged by academic, corporate and community leaders including Ron Villanueva, delegate of the 21st district of Virginia and Norfolk councilwoman Angelia Williams. Other judges included Dee Tomczak from Virginia FIRST Robotics, John Calver from Thomas Nelson Community College (TNCC) Workforce Development, Paul Dockery from ECPI University, and Joseph Bouchard from COX Communications

Congratulations to the winners! 

• Christopher Benedetto, Kellam High School, Virginia Beach

• Brad Holmes, Landstown High School, Virginia Beach

• Sinh Ly, Landstown High School, Virginia Beach

• Joseph Frandsen, Granby High School, Norfolk

• Sharissa Marshall, Grassfield High School, Chesapeake



Front Row:, L to R: Sharissa Marshall, Christopher Benedetto, Sinh Ly, Brad Holmes.

Back Row, L to R: Joseph Frandsen, Peter Mueller, executive vice president of

operations for STIHL Inc.; Christy Wells (parent), team assistant; Sean O'Grady (FESTO),

team coach; Ron Villaneuva, Virginia delegate.





And a special thanks to our sponsors and partners!

• FESTO

• Virginia Manufacturers Association’s Dream It Do It Virginia

• ECPI University

• TNCC Workforce Development

• Tooling U

• Integrated Business Solutions, Inc. (IBS)

• And the many teachers and parents and STIHL employees who volunteered their time to help, as well as

Click here for the CNN iReport of the annual Manufacturing Technology Summer Camp powered by STIHL.

Storm Safety Part 3: Tools for Storm Cleanup

After the storm has passed, having the right tools on hand can make all the difference in efficient and effective storm cleanup.  Here are some of the products we recommend:

STIHL BG 55 Handheld Blower

This gasoline-powered leaf blower quickly clears dirt, fallen leaves and other post storm debris from driveways and sidewalks and hard-to-reach places. Not only does this blower have reliable starting with a low pull force, and optional gutter attachments, but it comes at an affordable price, too.

STIHL HT 56 C-E Pole Pruner

With its 9-foot-2-inch length and affordable price, this pole pruner brings storm cleanup and tree maintenance tasks within easier reach, allowing users to reach up to 14 feet above ground. The HT 56 C-E comes equipped with a durable STIHL bar and chain for optimal cutting performance, while the STIHL Easy2Start™ system makes starting almost effortless.

STIHL MS 230 C-BE Duro Chain Saw

Carbide-tipped cutters on the STIHL PICCO™ Duro 3 saw chain stay sharper longer when cutting in dirty, post-storm conditions. STIHL Easy2Start™, our Quick Chain Adjuster and a carburetor preheat shutter option for seasonal flexibility make it a great choice for tough home cutting projects before and after the storm.

STIHL SE 61 / STIHL SE 122 Wet/Dry Vacuums

Whether your mess is wet or dry, large or small, these wet/dry vacuums boast strong suction power and a high-efficiency filter and cleaning system requiring less maintenance. The STIHL SE 61 is perfect for everyday use, while the SE 122 works for cleanup on even the toughest jobs.

KM 56 R C-E STIHL KombiSystem

One universal powerhead with numerous optional attachments, the KombiSystem is perfect for a wide range of pre- and post-storm jobs, from pruning, sweeping, scrubbing and even blowing! This multi-task tool features the STIHL Easy2Start™ system and not only saves on storage space, but also allows for significant cost savings as you can buy just the attachments you need, with only one engine to maintain. Note: All attachments sold separately.

BG-KM Blower

KW-KM STIHL PowerSweep™

HT-KM Pole Pruner

The right tool can make the difference in safe storm cleanup.  Please remember that anytime you are operating outdoor power equipment to wear the proper protective apparel and follow the instructions in your instruction manual.

Find your nearest independent servicing STIHL dealer.