Storm Safety: Before the Storm

Severe weather continues to be in the news and as we reach the peak of hurricane season it is important for homeowners to consider how a sudden storm will affect your property. In this post we will discuss some things to do to prepare before the storm hits. In coming posts we will discuss storm cleanup and repair, and the tools you’re going to need for the job.

Before the storm:



Hollow, aged and decayed trees
can be a hazard.

Here are some useful tips to potentially reduce risk and prevent damage before the storm hits. It’s important to identify potential hazards now, before they become a problem. Look for the following in the trees around your property:

• Cracks in the trunks of major limbs
• Hollow, aged and decayed trees
• One-sided or significantly leaning trees
• Branches leaning more than 45 degress over the roof or in close proximity to utility lines



Prune branches too close to your
house and over the street.



 After you’ve identified potential hazards:


• Remove dead, diseased or damaged limbs
• Have leaning trees inspected
• Prune branches too close to your house and over the street

• Call a professional when dealing with limbs in close proximity to utility lines, DO NOT attempt to do this yourself

• Check your gutters, and remove debris to prevent water damage. Many STIHL blowers come with optional gutter attachments.
• Know your capabilities and limitations. When in doubt, hire a professional.

Clean gutters to
prevent water damage.

It’s also important to protect yourself as well as your property. Always remember to wear the proper protective apparel and follow the directions in your manufacturer’s instruction manual when operating any outdoor power equipment. 

Here are some helpful links to help you stay informed and prepare for severe weather.

NOAA Watch  Storm tracking, reporting and prediction

Government tips on Hurricane Preparedness

Official FEMA site

STIHL Chainsaw Safety Video

Here We Grow Again

By Roger Phelps, promotional communications manager


 We recently celebrated the grand opening of an expansion to our accessories plant; the latest addition to our Virginia Beach manufacturing campus. Completed in May after only five months of construction, the expansion is part of our continued investment in vertical integration. We want to thank all of our development partners including the City of Virginia Beach for making this project go so smoothly.

STIHL executives cut trimmer line to open the expansion.From left are Christian Koestler, STIHL Inc. vice president of operations; Dr. Bertram Kandziora, executive board chairman at Andreas STIHL AG & Co. KG in Germany; Ben Hoffmann,STIHL Inc. manager of special projects; and Fred Whyte, president of STIHL Inc.



We were very pleased to have STIHL executive board chairman Dr. Bertram Kandziora, present to dedicate the facility. During a speech at the dedication he recognized the continued growth and success at STIHL Inc. One of the key points he made in his speech was that while many U.S. companies have chosen to move their operations overseas in pursuit of cheap labor, STIHL has chosen instead to reinvest in our technology, our workforce and our infrastructure here in Virginia Beach.

The new addition adds more than 55,000 square feet, and doubles the capacity of our blow molding operation. The expansion also houses a new 3,200 square foot state-of-the-art energy efficient data center which is the first of its kind in the world to use computer door coil cooling units in conjunction with geothermal cooling.

Our vice president of operations for manufacturing Christian Koestler said the accessories plant expansion is significant because it represents the evolution the company has undergone through the years expanding from a simple assembly operation in 1974, to an industry leading, vertically integrated manufacturing company. He pointed out that unlike many other companies, we have not increased the outsourcing of component manufacturing. Instead, we have taken additional processes in-house to maximize quality, while minimizing material cost increases and achieving delivery efficiencies that make our operation competitive with any in the world.

What impressed me was that many of the employees who will be working in the expansion were on hand for the ceremony. Overall the expansion should generate an additional 50 jobs over the next three years adding to the over 2000 people presently employed by us. Their contribution is what really sets our company apart, something that both Dr. Kandziora and Mr. Koeslter pointed out in their comments.

The expansion means that we now have over 2 million square feet under roof, but not matter how large we grow our commitment remains the same; design, engineer and build the best outdoor power equipment possible for STIHL servicing dealers and STIHL customers worldwide.

STIHL Inc. Hosts Manufacturing Camp for Students

by James Adams, Business Resident at STIHL Inc.

STIHL Inc. believes that it's important to begin educating the future workforce now to better equip young people with the skills for the jobs of tomorrow.  Recently,  we hosted over forty high school students from grades 9 through 12 at the Second Annual Manufacturing Technology Summer Camp, on our Virginia Beach campus and I had the opportunity to work with them.

The camp is designed to promote careers in modern manufacturing and the four-day, hands on experience included a tour of the Virginia Beach facility, as well as full immersion in designing and executing a manufacturing process.  The camp concluded with a competition among camp participants.  

Christian Koestler, vice president of operations at STIHL Inc. attended many of the events.  He told me that skilled labor is critical in our workforce in order to rebuild and reinforce America's manufacturing base.  His belief is that students learn by doing and this event was a great way to help prepare the future generation of manufacturing and give them the tools they need to succeed.

The camp provided the students with an opportunity to turn raw material into finished goods using cutting-edge manufacturing technologies like computer-controlled machining and robotics.  Students built robotic parts including a chassis, printed circuit board and parts kit that would then be used for the 2013 Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) Science Technology Engineering Match (STEM) Challenge.

I was excited to have the opportunity be a coach and lead and educate students about the process and business decisions at the core of a company.  

Though they were initially a little shy, the students on my team bonded quickly.  For the next four days the "Wave Riders", acted like our own manufacturing company.  At the end of the final competition, I knew we had turned out high quality products and had a good chance of winning.   In fact, when Mr. Koestler announced the overall winners of the competitions, it was the Wave Riders that took top honors!  

I think what impressed me most was that despite whatever pre-conceptions they might have had, all the students had a much different view of manufacturing at the end of the camp. They were able to see that while manufacturing is definitely challenging, it can also be fun and very rewarding. As you can see from the video below it was a great experience for me and for them. 

STIHL Employees Cycle 585 Miles to Raise Money for Tree Research

by Chuck Kellen, Field Testing Technician/Mechanical Engineer, STIHL Inc.

When I joined STIHL Inc. here in Virginia Beach about five years ago, I was really impressed by the different programs and associations that our company supports.  As a cyclist, I was particularly interested in the STIHL Tour des Trees. The STIHL Tour des Trees is the primary fundraiser for the TREE Fund, which provides research grants, scholarships and educational programs to help ensure healthy trees.

I’ve been cycling for about four years now. My normal riding includes solo trips of 20 to 25 miles and the occasional commute to work. Needless to say, I love everything cycling, but had never taken an opportunity to do a group ride. So in 2011 when the Tour came to our hometown I was jumped at the chance to take part in the STIHL Tour des Trees Ride for Research, a 30 mile fundraising ride. Meeting all the STIHL Tour des Trees riders, new and old, was a great experience. The camaraderie and sense of purpose in the group showed right away. They all obviously enjoy riding, but more importantly they believe in the TREE Fund.

As we made our way slowly through the streets of my hometown, I got to know a little about some of the riders. Everyone I spoke with would at some point ask the same question, “Why aren’t you doing the full Tour; you work for STIHL?” All I could say was, “I really wish I was.”

Chuck Kellen, Justin Espy, Robert Jones

The Monday after the Ride for Research, the STIHL Tour des Trees riders came to STIHL Inc. for a plant tour. I was glad to get a chance to wish them luck and safe travels, but I was kicking myself for not participating in the full Tour. So, along with my friend and colleague, Justin Espy (fellow team rider), I made a commitment to ride in this year’s event in Oregon, all 585 miles of it. Not only am I riding, but I have the honor of being the Team STIHL captain. My other teammates are Robert Jones from shipping/receiving here in Virginia Beach; Mark Hilliard, a territory manager for STIHL distributor Blue Mountain Equipment; Mark Chisholm, a professional arborist with Aspen Tree Expert Co. and spokesperson and education consultant for STIHL; and Brian Noyes, Tree Solutions, who assists Chisholm with training events.

I am really excited to be representing STIHL in this year’s event and to help raise money for the TREE Fund. I can’t wait to get to Portland and get on the road!
To follow me on the Tour, visit www.huffingtonpost.com to view my daily blog posts.