STIHL INC.S PETER MUELLER APPOINTED GERMAN HONORARY CONSUL

Release Date: August 2006

Press Contacts:
Anita Gambill (757) 486-9151 or
Terry Kelley (757) 340-7425
All other inquiries:
STIHL Incorporated
(757) 486-9100

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. Peter Mueller, executive vice president of operations for STIHL Inc., has been named Honorary Consul of Germany for Virginia. Mueller was recently appointed in a ceremony held at the German Embassy in Washington, D.C. German President Horst Kohler approved the nomination last year.

“Im very honored to be appointed to this position and look forward to serving the interests of Germany and its citizens in this area,” stated Mueller.

As Consul, Mueller will work to foster international relations between the region and Germany, as well as represent the interests of German citizens in Accomack, Chesapeake, Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James, Lancaster Mathew, Middlesex, Newport News, Norfolk, Northampton, Northumberland, Southampton, Suffolk, Surry, Sussex, Virginia Beach and York.

Fred Whyte, president of STIHL Inc. stated, “Peter was key to establishing the STIHL Inc. operation in Virginia Beach back in 1974. With over 32 years managing operational efforts between STIHL Inc. and our founding company in Germany, Im confident Peters skills and personal experiences will prove beneficial in building the regions relations with Germany, as well as representing the interests of local German citizens.”

Mueller began his career with STIHL Inc. in 1974 as manager of production. He became director of manufacturing in 1976, and in 1978 he was promoted to vice president of manufacturing and became a member of the Executive Council. Mueller was promoted to his current position in 1992.

Prior to joining STIHL, he worked as assistant to the chairman of the board of a major German corporation, where he held various management positions in the production and quality assurance areas. Mueller received his engineering degree in Munich, Germany. In 1974, he relocated to the U.S. where he initiated the U.S. manufacturing operation for STIHL.

Mueller currently serves on the board of directors for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers where he leads the Education Foundation Development Committee. He is also a member of the Society of Plastics Industry (SPI), the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) and the Virginia Manufacturing Association (VMA). He is active locally as a board member for the Hampton Roads Workforce Development System (HRWD), as well as a member of the HRWD Youth Council.

He and his wife Brigit reside in Virginia Beach.

About STIHL Inc.
STIHL Inc. manufactures the world’s largest selling brand of chain saws and produces a full line of powerful, lightweight, and versatile handheld outdoor power equipment for homeowners and professional users. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast— not mass merchants. For more information or for the name of the closest STIHL retailer call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit the STIHL Web site at www.stihlusa.com.

For information on job opportunities with STIHL Inc., please go to www.stihlcareers.com. STIHL is an EEO and drug-free work environment.

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