You’ll hear that often from Peter Mueller, Executive Vice President of STIHL Incorporated.

In a shaky economy, he’s managing to outproduce China, take advantage of green technology, embrace automation and robotics and oversee a thriving workforce from STIHL’s Virginia Beach facility.

A credit to the Commonwealth

Mueller gives Virginia much of the credit for STIHL Inc.’s success. Convenient shipping, an educated workforce and labor laws that encourage productivity have made STIHL’s 35-year tenure in the Commonwealth a resounding success.

STIHL, headquartered in Waiblingen, Germany, opened its U.S. operation in 1974 with about 50 employees. Today, it has more than 2,000.

Highly productive

“The American worker is very highly productive,” says Mueller. “I can put my people against the rest of the world.”

He has, and the Virginia plant has garnered accolades, including the prestigious Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence.

“For me, the Shingo award shows world-class manufacturing. It’s like you are ‘Factory of the Year,’ and it’s a great honor,” he says.

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		VEDP Quarterly Issue One December 2009
STIHL BUILDS ON STRENGTHS OF VIRGINIA It can be done. You’ll hear that often from Peter Mueller, Executive Vice President of STIHL Incorporated. In a shaky economy, he’s managing to outproduce China, take advantage of green technology, embrace automation and robotics and oversee a thriving workforce from STIHL’s Virginia Beach facility. A credit to the Commonwealth Mueller gives Virginia much of the credit for STIHL Inc.’s success. Convenient shipping, an educated workforce and labor laws that encourage productivity have made STIHL’s 35-year tenure in the Commonwealth a resounding success. STIHL, headquartered in Waiblingen, Germany, opened its U.S. operation in 1974 with about 50 employees. Today, it has more than 2,000. Highly productive “The American worker is very highly productive,” says Mueller. “I can put my people against the rest of the world.” He has, and the Virginia plant has garnered accolades, including the prestigious Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence. “For me, the Shingo award shows world-class manufacturing. It’s like you are ‘Factory of the Year,’ and it’s a great honor,” he says. Continue reading online Read more BONUS CONTENT ONLINE		HOT! Virginia International Investor’s Forum Mark your calendars for the annual Virginia International Investor’s Forum (VAIIF) set this year for May 6, 2010. This forum addresses interests of and facilitates interaction within Virginia’s international community. Read More Regulation Update “Buy America”: Global Opportunity The “Buy America” provision has many internationally-owned companies feeling removed from the benefits of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). But while “Buy America” language may have resulted from political pressures, the actual rules that govern ARRA show openness to global trade and great opportunity for companies around the world. Read More

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