Stihl expands the range of rechargeable battery devices for private users. Lightweight, silent and powerful, these equipment are ideal for use in private gardens, especially in metropolitan areas, thus identifying new target groups. With the identification of new partners in the electric-battery industry and new sales outlets in urban areas Stihl wants to serve this new type of customer in the future.
In order to reach new battery chargers, Stihl is expanding its dealer network geographically and for this purpose has set up a special program, with a range of dedicated new target, including only Stihl and Viking electric and battery powered cars.
The purpose of this initiative is to exploit new sales potentials, primarily for private customers in urban areas. To date, the STIHL group is not well represented in the cities and therefore the establishment of these new stores is literally aimed at reaching private users. Short distances and sales programs targeted at this customer - these are the premises for the acquisition of these new customers.
"The reduced assortment, which does not include gasoline equipment - explains the company - also has the advantage of reducing the performance of Stihl partner workshops. Sales space is therefore reduced with the advantage of being able to conveniently construct limited space shops within city centers or Shop-in-Shop solutions.
But the novelties are not over: some new products will be introduced in the spring, Stihl HSA 94 R and Stihl HSA 94 T - both powerful and silent professional battery models, in addition to the professional STIHL FSA 130 brush cutter with circular handle Or handlebar that completes the PRO battery system. The line with the modular battery system, meeting the needs of professional level, has more than 20 equipment in this way. It adds the line of new entry battery batteries at a particularly attractive price: cutter blades, lawnmowers and leaf blowers, each with matching integrated battery. In addition, since the beginning of the year, other products have been introduced, such as the petrol hammers, a new tool called Stihl HT 56 C-E.
"We focus heavily on battery products and are therefore able to offer a wider assortment without even dropping a millimeter on our gasoline appliances," summarized Dr. Kandziora.
I am aware of the novelties of this spring: the STIHL MSA 140 C-BQ chainsaw completes the Compact battery range and has high performance both for agriculture and for simple crafts. It is powered by a 36 V lithium-ion battery, which is compatible with all the other devices in this modular system. In addition to the chainsaws, there are cutters, mulchers, leaf blowers and lawn mowers.
The STIHL MS 462 C-M gasoline chain saw represents the new STIHL model for medium-sized jobs and great importance in professional forestry. The weight of only 6 kilograms makes it one of the lightest performance motors with a cylinder capacity of 70 cm3.
Viking integrates the Stihl battery range with an additional model: the MA 235 lawnmower. Compactness, comfortable ergonomic handlebar, cutting width of 33 cm and weight of only 14 kg make the MA 235 lawnmower the ideal partner for small Gardens with lawn up to 200 sqm.
During the press conference a few days ago, an opportunity to present the budget that has highlighted a 6.6% increase in sales in 2016, Stihl announced even more news.
"In 2018 STIHL will present new interconnected technologies and products. The trend goes towards Smart Garden, "said Bertram Kandziora, Chairman of the Board of Directors of STIHL.
"I'm sure that in 2017 the demand will be even greater than in the past year, especially with regard to rechargeable batteries." Among the planned investments, also the recruitment of new employees (one hundred) for the company's headquarters.
The sales of 2016 benefited in particular the success of the Compact battery system. And the future will be "smart". In fact, development projects for connecting the utilities are of great importance (today you can maneuver Viking iMow through an app).