Twenty-two years since Hans Peter Stihl opened the offices of STIHL GB in Camberley, the long-standing head of the global STIHL Group returned to inaugurate the premises' major expansion and refurbishment - an investment in Britain of some £3 million.
Son of the founder of the global STIHL Group, Hans Peter Stihl spent more than half a century building his father's business into the world-recognised brand it is today. Whilst he has now handed Chairmanship of the Group's Advisory and Supervisory Boards to his son, Nikolas Stihl, Hans Peter remains very actively involved in the family business. So when he made one of his regular visits to the Group's wholly-owned subsidiary in Camberley in September, it was fitting that he mark the next stage of the company's development in Britain - an investment project that will ensure its capacity for powerful future growth.
When the fledgling STIHL GB relocated from its original home in Woking to the current Camberley premises in 1991, it employed 50 people and focussed heavily on the sale of chain saws to professionals working in the forestry sector. Today the British sales and marketing subsidiary of the global STIHL Group employs over 90 people and consistent growth has established it as one of the major brands in the British outdoor power tool sector, selling products through over 650 specialist Approved Dealers around the country. Strong sales continue for STIHL's world-leading brand of chain saws, but the product range has expanded many-fold and the Camberley-based team now handle sales of anything from cut-off saws for builders, through petrol hedge trimmers and grass trimmers for landscapers to a growing range of battery powered garden tools, plus lawn mowers and lawn tractors in the VIKING range.
STIHL GB Meeting Room
Accompanied on his visit to Great Britain by Mr Norbert Pick - Director of Marketing & Sales for the STIHL Group, Hans Peter Stihl toured the smartly refurbished premises in Camberley before unveiling a plaque to mark its official inauguration. The eight-month long refurbishment project undertaken by Morgan Lovell, has transformed offices, meeting rooms and workshops to provide bright, open-plan and technologically advanced facilities, plus a new showroom, training area and smart restaurant. The refurbishment project follows the expansion of the premises' warehouse and logistics facility completed in 2011, and together these projects represent a £3 million investment in the STIHL GB business, demonstrating the Group's ongoing commitment to sustainable growth.
Speaking to gathered staff at the opening ceremony, Mr Norbert Pick congratulated the GB team on the well-managed refurbishment project, which had been delivered on time and on budget, and which has brought the building firmly into the 21st century: "These premises now reflect the high quality standards and fresh-thinking image of our brand, and provide a facility of which we can all be proud", he stated. Mr Pick was making his first visit to STIHL Great Britain since his appointment last year as Director of Marketing and Sales for the STIHL Group.
Commenting on the occasion, Robin Lennie - Managing Director of STIHL GB said: "It was entirely appropriate and a great honour for us that Mr Stihl mark the completion of this important project. This refurbishment, along with the expansion and re-organisation of our warehouse and logistics facility ensures our capacity to manage ongoing and planned future growth, and provides the high-standard working environment our professional teams deserve", he concluded.
