STIHL INC. PRESIDENT ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT INSTITUTE

Release Date: July 2006

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

Fred J. Whyte, President of STIHL Incorporated, was elected Chairman of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute.

(Virginia Beach, Va.) Fred J. Whyte, President of STIHL Inc., was elected Chairman of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) during the Association's 54th annual meeting in Carlsbad, CA. Whytes term as OPEI Chairman is for one year in accordance with OPEI by-laws.

Previously, Whyte served on the OPEI board of directors as Vice Chairman. Other past positions include Board of Directors as Secretary-Treasurer and chairman of the Technical Advisory Committee. In addition, Whyte served as president of the Portable Power Equipment Manufacturers Association (PPEMA).

OPEI is the major international trade association representing the manufacturers and their suppliers of consumer and commercial outdoor power equipment such as lawnmowers, garden tractors, utility vehicles, trimmers, edgers, chain saws, snow throwers, tillers, leaf blowers and other related products. Founded in 1952, the Institute is dedicated to promoting the outdoor power equipment industry by undertaking activities that can be pursued more effectively by an association than by individual companies. As president of STIHL Inc., Whyte is responsible for the overall management of STIHL's U.S. operation, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va. Prior to his appointment in 1992, Whyte was the president of STIHL Ltd., the company's Canadian affiliate, which he founded in 1982.

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.

About the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI)
OPEI is the international trade association whose members are manufacturers of powered lawn and garden maintenance products, components and attachment supplies, as well as industry related services. OPEI's domestic members manufacture in excess of 95% of the U.S. consumer retail market for gas and electric powered lawn and garden maintenance products. Some of the products manufactured include walk-behind lawnmowers, riding mowers, garden tractors, snow throwers, edger/trimmers, chipper/shredders, blower vacs, portable generators, and log splitters. For more information on OPEI, please visit www.opei.org.

Back to Press Office