The STIHL Group has announced it is setting up an in-house production line for battery products at its headquarters in Germany.

Backpack batteries for professional applications will be produced at a highly automated high-tech manufacturing facility in Waiblingen-Hohenacker. 

"Entering into battery pack manufacturing is the logical continuation of the STIHL battery strategy," Dr. Bertram Kandziora, chairman of the executive board of STIHL, said. "In just 10 years, we have expanded our range of battery products from a hedge trimmer to three product lines featuring a wide selection of different tools."

The company launched its line of battery products for professional and high-end private use in 2009. In 2016, the company opened a competence centre for battery and electronics development at its headquarters in Waiblingen by expanding its development facility. Today, more than 300 employees work there.

"We have been able to fill many vacant positions in recent months, especially in the fields of batteries, electronics, connected products and IT. This is essential to further growth in this promising segment," Dr. Kandziora said. Increasingly powerful batteries have made the products popular among more than just private users. The quieter, emissions-free products offer many advantages, especially for municipal customers, say STIHL.

The battery production line was built with in-house expertise within the space of just 18 months. The first trial run at the new building in Waiblingen commenced in September 2018. The first batteries produced in-house are slated to hit the market in autumn 2019. Most batteries will be destined for European dealers.