Stihl makes a decision: 500 jobs gone – the battery change is progressing!

Stihl makes a decision: 500 jobs gone – the battery change is progressing!

The change in the economy is particularly noticeable these days, and the traditional appliance manufacturer Stihl is not spared from this. The Waiblingen-based company has announced that around 500 jobs will be cut. This decision comes at a time when the economic conditions are anything but favorable.

The reason for these drastic measures is complex. Stihl is faced with the challenge of mastering the change towards cordless tools. This development requires fewer personnel, which Stihl boss Michael Traub doesn't sugarcoat. A global cut of 500 jobs in the indirect sector was announced in spring 2025, and now the job cuts will also affect administration. In Germany, jobs in the low three-digit range are being cut using a socially acceptable process, without any layoffs being planned. Age-related departures are intended to close the gap and a volunteer program is intended to enable additional departures, as n-tv.de reports.

Economic challenges

Stihl achieved growth of around five percent by the end of August 2025, but the tense economic conditions are showing their effects. In particular, the rapidly falling sales of gasoline appliances, whose share of total sales is expected to decline, pose a threat. Sales last increased in 2024, but fell short of the record numbers of the pandemic. Stihl expects future growth to be in the low single digits - a small ray of hope, but not enough to prevent the looming job losses.

The situation is not limited to Stihl alone. According to the EY industrial barometer, sales of German industrial companies fell by 2.1% in the second quarter of 2023 - for the eighth time in a row. The automotive industry and the rubber and plastics sectors are particularly affected. These developments contribute to uncertainty in the industry and the need for workforce reductions.

Future outlook and strategic decisions

Stihl considers Germany's current business location to be not optimal for the production and development of battery-powered tools. For this reason, the company has already built its own battery factory in Romania, which is scheduled to go into operation this year. At the same time, the development and production of robotic lawnmowers will be relocated to China, which will further reduce capacity at the headquarters in Waiblingen. Stihl has been active since 1926 and has made a name for itself in over 160 countries, but generates the highest sales in the USA, which provides the company with support in the current situation.

Despite all the challenges, Stihl remains moving. The shift in production to battery-powered devices not only has economic but also social consequences. Traub is calm about US President Trump's tariffs because Stihl does not have to look for overpriced locations in the USA. However, it remains to be seen how market conditions will develop and whether Stihl can be successful with its new strategies.

Overall, it is clear that the switch to modern technologies such as cordless tools means a fundamental realignment for Stihl. While the workforce cuts are painful, they may also be necessary in order to remain competitive in the long term. The future will show how well the company can master this change.