Germany-based STIHL Group, a manufacturer of outdoor power tools has set up a new, facility at Chakan, Pune which includes warehouse, administrative block, a training centre, engine testing and a service facility.
STIHL started India operations in the year 2005 by setting up a wholly owned subsidiary, Andreas STIHL Pvt Ltd and was operating from its premises in Wagholi. The company has targeted to appoint 500 dealers across India in next three years.
STIHL is now looking at entering the consumer segment with the introduction of electric and battery powered tools. Speaking on the occasion Hans Peter, chairman of the supervisory board of STIHL AG said, "India with its large size and diversity offers excellent market development potential for STIHL products in future and we continue to view India as one of the important emerging markets. We are looking for opportunities to expand our product program in India and our investment in new facility is one step in this direction."
Peter added that the company is planning to start its own manufacturing unit in India within two years. While sharing the details of the new facility Pramod Wadpally, Country Manager, Andreas STIHL said, "The new warehouse is double the size of our earlier facility and is installed with the new pallet racking system for bigger and better storage of equipments. With this we aim to offer ex stock delivery of more and more products, accessories and spare parts along with shortening of delivery periods."
STIHL products have been very well received in the agriculture segment and are already a part of agri equipments subsidy programs of many states of the country. STIHL equipment are being used by municipal corporations like Mumbai, New Delhi, Nagpur and Chennai in healthcare segment.
The STIHL mist blowers were used by the Indian Defense, the Indian Railways and the Mumbai Municipal Corporation in fighting diseases like dengue and malaria during last monsoon.