STIHL is a German manufacturer of chainsaws, trimmers, blowers and other handheld power equipment. Founded in 1926, the family-owned company is only chain saw manufacturer to make its own saw chains and guide bars. The company’s factory in Virginia Beach, VA, is ASSEMBLY magazine’s 2014 Assembly Plant of the Year.
At STIHL manufacturing facilities, maintenance is organized into two divisions. Each division has its own maintenance team that uses their technical expertise to monitor and maintain the plant’s daily operations. Situated above them is a central maintenance pool, which is made up of specialists whose job it is to support the on-site teams when there are time constraints or when specialized know-how is required.