INDUSTRY NEWS
8 AUGUST 2015 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com
HOT NEWS
Fred Whyte to retire
as president of Stihl Inc.
Bjoern Fischer to be successor starting in 2016
Stihl Inc. announced June 29 that Fred Whyte will retire as
company president at the end of 2015. Whyte has been part
of the Stihl group for 44 years, including 23 years as president
of Stihl Inc. Under Whyte's presidential tenure, the company
experienced record growth and achieved the status as the
number one selling brand of gasoline-powered handheld
outdoor power equipment in America.*
Bjoern Fischer, presently Stihl Inc. vice president of finance,
will assume the duties of president on Jan. 1, 2016. Fischer has
been with the company since 2012, and he currently oversees
the financial operations of the company, as well as the human
resources and information services departments.
Fischer joined Stihl Inc. after a successful 20-year career
at Siemens, culminating as the executive vice president and
chief financial officer for the Global Business Unit Water
Technologies. His experience includes finance, controlling,
information systems, logistics and project management in
several different businesses and countries.
Fischer, a native of South Africa, graduated from the
University of Cape Town with a bachelor's degree in commerce.
He serves on the regional board of directors of the Hampton
Roads Chamber of Commerce and on the Dean's Executive
Advisory Council (EAC) for the Old Dominion University
Strome College of Business (SCB).
"I am excited both personally and professionally to
continue my work with the team at Stihl Inc.," said Fischer,
who is married with two daughters. "I look forward to
building on the foundation that Fred has laid, and using my
experiences in Germany and the U.S. to accelerate our growth
and momentum as we look to the future."
Whyte, who has been a prominent figure in the outdoor
power equipment industry, plans to enjoy spending more
time with family, and will stay involved with the Stihl brand.
"It has been a great privilege to lead Stihl Inc. and to be a part
of the tremendous success we have enjoyed over the last 23
years," Whyte said. "I am proud of what we have accomplished,
and I am pleased that Bjoern Fischer will be leading the
company going forward. His experience and passion for Stihl
are exactly what the company needs to continue our tradition
of excellence."
For more information on Stihl Inc., visit www.stihlusa.com.
* A majority of Stihl powerheads are built in the United States
from domestic and foreign parts and components. "Number
one selling brand" is based on syndicated Irwin Broh Research,
as well as independent consumer research of 2009-2014 U.S.
sales and market share data for the gasoline-powered handheld
outdoor power equipment category combined sales to consumers
and commercial landscapers.
Fred Whyte, left, and Bjoern Fischer, right