HEARTS OF STIHL UNITE TO SUPPORT HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS
Donate $100,000, Route Equipment, Personnel to Disaster Areas

Date: November 2005
Release Date: IMMEDIATELY

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

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.-Are your ready?" took on new meaning with the recent devastation brought on by twin hurricanes in the Gulf Coast and STIHL worldwide proved that the answer was "Yes."

In response to the extraordinary need, Hans Peter Stihl, Advisory Board Chairman of STIHL Holding AG and Co., traveled from Waiblingen, Germany, to present a check for $100,000 to the Red Cross in a ceremony held at STIHL Incorporated in Virginia Beach, Va.

"Events such as these have a global impact," said Mr. Stihl to the assembled group of Red Cross and STIHL employees, and media. "Just as our products are able to do their part in the job of rescue and restoration," Mr. Stihl added, "We believe the Red Cross is exceptionally well suited to offer their brand of relief support to the affected areas."

STIHL Inc. employees in Virginia Beach also did their part, taking up a collection that was matched dollar for dollar by the company.

But efforts didn't end with monetary donations. STIHL Inc., STIHL distributors and dealers joined forces to support the relief efforts on the front line.

"Our primary objective is to ensure that emergency crews have the necessary supplies for disaster and rescue efforts," said Fred J. Whyte, president of STIHL Inc. "We are ever cognizant of helping local communities safely prepare and respond to natural disasters as quickly and as efficiently as possible."

Earlier this year STIHL Inc. had prestaged thousands of chain saws and telescoping pole saws in the regions anticipating the hurricane season, and re-routed thousands more prior to hurricane landfall.

STIHL distributors; STIHL Southwest, STIHL Southeast, Blue Mountain Equipment and Bryan Equipment, worked around the clock with all personnel pitching in to load and ship product to dealers. Territory and sales managers delivered equipment through the weekend in most of the affected areas as the hurricanes approached. STIHL Southwest personnel were especially busy servicing dealers in the Gulf Coast region until conditions were no longer safe to do so.

Susan Brittain, president of STIHL Southwest, was quick to praise her team and their dealers, "We worked long, grueling hours stacking trucks, often by hand." While others were fleeing from Hurricane Katrina, STIHL Southwest personnel headed toward it.

"Once we learned the storm was coming our way," said Brittain, "we mobilized trucks throughout the territory and drove routes where we could get hotel rooms. Our dealers were instrumental in getting us around trouble spots so we could deliver product."

However, it is the men and women on the front lines, the servicing dealers, that deserve the most praise. Many STIHL dealers in affected areas operated on a 24-7 basis servicing customers, often despite themselves being victims of the storms. Stories of extraordinary service and acts of generosity continue to come to light.

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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