German group STIHL officially opened on Wednesday its first plant dedicated exclusively to battery-powered equipment, in Oradea, in the attendance of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, being an investment worth EUR 125 million, completed in just a year and a half.
"This investment in Oradea means technology transfer, means access to important markets. The decades during which Stihl company conquered markets, during which it integrated technologies now enable job creation, technology transfer, the accumulation of capabilities so that it will help us develop this region in the coming years. This company would not be operational without the people who will work here, some of whom are present in this hall. I want to thank you in advance for what you will do and I will keep repeating this: those who work in private companies carry our country on their shoulders because everyone pays taxes and from these taxes collected from the work of employees, the state budget receives revenues with which we can invest to build better schools or better hospitals and I thank you for what you will do in this company. Jobs mean opportunities, in addition, they also mean a chance for families to remain here, in our communities, in this case, in Oradea," Prime Minister Bolojan said.
The inauguration event brought together members of STIHL's international leadership, including members of the Stihl family, senior figure Hans Peter Stihl, executive management, as well as Romania's Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, Oradea Mayor Florin Birta and local, county and national officials.
The exclusive programme included the official opening ceremony, with speeches delivered by Stihl representatives and guests of honor, a guided tour of the facility and discussions.
Prime Minister Bolojan thanked Chairman Nikolas Stihl and the company's leadership for choosing to invest in Romania and in Oradea, stating that "this plant is the group's easternmost outpost in Eastern Europe". He also praised the Romanian leadership of the company for managing to build five hectares of facilities and all necessary infrastructure in just a year and a half, "with organisation and seriousness, meeting all commitments."
Prime Minister Bolojan expressed his respect for Hans Peter Stihl, a leading figure in the German industry who led the company for many years, an example of continuity and professionalism.
Ilie Bolojan also brought to mind that another significant project was inaugurated in Oradea on Wednesday, namely the Technology Transfer Centre, "an important step to ensure companies investing in the community have access to skilled labour and can transfer other activities and production systems here."
The Prime Minister also appreciated the support for multilingual education, mentioning the Friedrich Schiller German Theoretical High School, dual vocational education at high school level and also at university level.
PM Bolojan also said the Stihl plant is located in one of the largest industrial parks in western Romania, a model of cooperation between professionals, local and county authorities in order to create business infrastructure with utilities and quality services.
Oradea Mayor Florin Birta said during his speech that the investment by a major company like Stihl confirms Oradea's appeal, serving symbolically as "an anchor" for future investments by other firms seeking to operate in the municipality. "Anyone who comes to invest in Oradea from now on and hears that Stihl is here will surely find it easier to decide," the mayor added.
Sebastian Metz, Managing Director of the German-Romanian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, highlighted that Oradea is "a perfect location" for investment, noting Oradea has undergone "beautiful development, not only in terms of its visible heritage buildings, but also in terms of the city's development and management." "It is a reference point here in Romania. We are pleased to witness such development in Romania," he added.
Sebastian Metz added that many German companies invest in Oradea because of the local university, the availability of skilled labour in engineering, as well as the focus on employee training.
"I am hopeful and convinced that Romania has all the ingredients to attract investors from Germany, whether here in the wonderful Bihor county or other parts of Romania. It is a country with strong economic development, we want to be part of the development of Romanian economy. I would add that we are at a moment when reforms are needed. What you are doing and plan to do in the future plays a crucial role. Yes, I confirm we are on the right path regarding reforms in Romania. We must continue to stay competitive. I can only encourage the Romanian Government to pursue the reforms already initiated," Sebastian Metz said.
According to Nikolas Stihl, the Chairman of the Advisory Board and Supervisory Board of STIHL, this ultramodern production unit is a key pillar in STIHL's global strategy for battery-powered products and marks a decisive step in transforming the company's portfolio towards innovative solutions.
After speeches, the officials traditionally inaugurated the investment by cutting through a horizontal tree trunk with a chainsaw.
The new plant, located in the Eurobusiness I Industrial Park in Oradea, currently employs 145 people. Wednesday also marked the start of production.
Certified DGNB Gold for sustainability, the facility incorporates photovoltaic and geothermal technologies alongside fully digitalised production processes, in line with Industry 4.0 principles.
"The new factory in Oradea expands our global network and strengthens Stihl's position in the rapidly growing battery-powered equipment segment. It is a vital investment that will ensure our long-term competitiveness in Europe," Chairman of STIHL's Advisory and Supervisory Boards Dr Nikolas Stihl said.
The construction began in March 2024 and was completed in under 18 months. The plant will gradually increase production capacity, aiming to reach one million battery packs annually by 2026. By 2028, output is expected to hit 1.8 million battery packs and 1.7 million battery-powered tools. Initially, the plant will produce battery blowers and AP battery packs from the STIHL professional range. Over time, the portfolio will expand to include other battery tools such as brushcutters, chainsaws and more.
The new facility covers 47,000 square metres of operational space on a total site of 147,000 square metres. It features flexible, multi-product production lines and a high level of automation, integrating Industry 4.0 principles to ensure digital traceability, optimized processes and remarkable operational efficiency.
Battery technology has become a key growth driver for the company. Currently, more than one in four Stihl products sold globally are battery-powered. The company aims to increase this share to around 35 percent by 2027 and about 80 percent by 2035 - a clear sign of the industry's rapid transformation.
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