STIHL marks 100 years with SAW-some celebrations and a limited edition chainsaw at Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens

Dr Nikolas Stihl marked STIHL’s 100th anniversary at Melbourne’s Botanical Gardens, sharing the family-owned company’s vision for their next century in Australia

What began as a one-man operation in a Stuttgart workshop in 1926 has since become a global standard for battery and petrol powered equipment in forestry, landscaping and residential gardening. In 2026, STIHL, the family-owned company consciously pursues a dual strategy, seeing great potential in battery technology and its role in shaping the future of Australia. 

“Any company that reaches the grand old age of 100 hasn’t got there by relying on tradition alone,” says Dr. Nikolas Stihl, Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Advisory Board of STIHL. “It can only stay successful for a century if it knows its roots, while also recognising when it’s time to start a new chapter.  With that in mind, our anniversary is not only a time to look back, but also a moment to recognise the strength that comes from our combination of heritage, engineering expertise, and the courage to innovate.”

This approach is underlined by the company’s slogan: “Built for Nature, Trusted since 1926” which honors STIHL roots.

Since 1926, STIHL has manufactured revolutionary products designed “to make working with and in nature easier”, as founder Andreas Stihl (1896–1973) once put it. And while battery-powered products now account for 1 in 4 STIHL products sold globally, petrol runs deep in the brand’s legacy and remains a vital resource in maintaining Australia’s great outdoors. 

Revealed to Australians at the company’s exclusive 100-years celebrations in Melbourne, STIHL also unveiled the strictly limited edition STIHL MS 500i Centennial Edition – a petrol-powered chainsaw that’s a testament to the company’s engineering skills, development expertise and passion for innovation. Featuring an elegant black design, this anniversary edition is truly eye-catching and will be available in a limited run from selected retailers.

Above all, it pays tribute to the famous STIHL MS 500i; the world’s first mass-produced petrol chainsaw with electronically controlled fuel injection. 

And while there was much to celebrate at STIHL’s 100th anniversary event, Dr Stihl was equally passionate about establishing the next century for the brand by solidifying their ongoing commitment to Australia with continued partnerships and connection to the community.

Leeson Brook, STIHL Regional President Oceania said, “As a company deeply committed to Australia and the great outdoors, we’re honoured by the great partnerships we have through our dealership network and the community. Over many decades, Australians have come to know that STIHL products, built to last, can be used in extreme conditions and when it matters most. This is what makes our 100th anniversary particularly special.”

STIHL’s 100th anniversary is a tribute to all those who work day in and day out in Australia’s outdoors, whether it’s maintaining our vast bushland, caring for urban habitats, tending to lovingly landscaped gardens, or developing and manufacturing new STIHL products.

Pictured: Leeson Brook (Regional President Oceania), Dr Nikolas Stihl (Chairman Advisory & Supervisory Board, STIHL Group), Jo Katsos (VP Marketing APAC), Callum Harrison (Brand Manager Oceania)