Stihl and Husqvarna are two giant lawn and power equipment-making brands in the US market. These brands have existed for ages and have carefully built their reputation over those years. Now, they’re among the most trusted brands by consumers in the US, selling millions of their products annually.
It’s been a commonly debated topic as to whether or not Husqvarna owns Stihl. Both brands have their origin in Europe, and they both have a massive American customer base. However, it’s not enough to prove whether or not both brands are a subsidiary of the other.
This article will educate you on all you need to know about Stihl and Husqvarna. You’ll learn whether or not Husqvarna owns Stihl and what brings both brands together.
About Stihl
Stihl is a chainsaw and handheld power equipment manufacturer based in Germany. Andreas Stihl founded the company in 1926 as a chainsaw production. Fast forward to now, they still make chainsaws and other handheld power equipment like blowers and trimmers and are one of the world’s most prominent brands in the sector.
Stihl’s headquarter is a massive and beautiful building in Wiblingen, Baden Wurttemberg, near Stuttgart, Germany. It does most of its manufacturing in Germany but has plants in many other countries globally. The USA and China are among the countries where it manufactures its products.
Stihl chainsaws are among the most popular in the United States. The company manufactures them in its 150-building in Virginia. It then sells these products to its consumers, meaning that most Stihl products you use in the country are US made.
Stihl rivals brands like Husqvarna, MTD Products, and DOLMAR in the battle for supremacy in the US market.
About Husqvarna
Husqvarna is a Swedish company that manufactures outdoor power equipment like chainsaws, lawnmowers, brush cutters, cultivators, and other products. It was founded in 1689 and is one of the oldest functioning companies in the world. Husqvarna is among the most prominent lawn and garden equipment manufacturers in the United States of America.
The decree of the Swedish Monarch founded the company in 1618. It manufactured firearms for around 200 years before adding sewing machines to its product list in 1872. Husqvarna gradually explored other possibilities, and the brand even produced kitchen equipment and bicycles.
It produced its first lawn mower in 1919 before it began producing chainsaws and power cutters. Husqvarna makes different outdoor power equipment and owns many brands like McCulloch, Gardena, PoulanPro, and Weed Eater.
Despite being a Swedish company, Husqvarna makes the most of its products in the USA (over 50%). Most of its production process also happens in Sweden, especially Chainsaw production.
Does Husqvarna own Stihl?
Husqvarna doesn’t own Stihl nor does Stihl own Hursqvarna. Both brands are competitors in their fields. The only similar thing with them is that they’re European companies with a broad US customer base.
Both brands also have massive manufacturing plants in the US, and their products are among the most popular in the US outdoor power equipment market, particularly their chainsaws. These reasons contribute to why many people think Husqvarna and Stihl are affiliated.
The US Subsidiaries of Stihl is Stihl Inc. Aside from that, Stihl doesn’t have many other subsidiaries. They’re mainly direct company branches in other regions or locations and don’t use a separate brand name.
Which Brands Does Husqvarna Own?
Unlike Stihl, Husqvarna owns many brands. The brands that Husqvarna owns are;
Gardena
Gardena is a lawn and garden tool company based in Germany. It was founded in 1961 by Werner Kress and Eberhard Kastner in Ulm and is one of Europe’s leading lawn and garden equipment manufacturers.
Husqvarna acquired the company in 2007, but the brand maintains its naming and production principles, and you’d barely know it’s a Husqvarna subsidiary. Some of Gardena’s products include lawnmowers, hoses, hose fittings, sprinklers, Cleansystem, trimmers, grass shearers, and many others.
McCulloch
MCCoulloch is an American chainsaw and outdoor power equipment manufacturer, and its headquarter is in Tucson. Robert Paxton McCulloch founded the company in 1943. It initially produced two-stroke gasoline engines but made its first chainsaw in 1948. Today, chainsaws are the company’s most popular product.
Aside from chainsaws, McCulloch also produced different mowers types like robotic mowers, push, or even riding tractors. The brand also manufactures other outdoor power equipment like grass trimmers, leaf blowers, and brush cutters.
Husqvarna currently owns McCulloch and its brand. It bought the European division of the company when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1999. Husqvarna purchased the McCulloch outdoor power division of Jen Feng, which gave it access to McCulloch brands in the US in 2008.
Poulan Pro
Poulan is another American outdoor power equipment manufacturer and a subsidiary of Husqvarna. Claude Poulan founded the company in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1946.
The company initially started with chainsaws but makes many other lawn and garden equipment and is one of the USA’s most prominent brands. Husqvarna acquired the company in 2007.
Flymo
Flymo is an outdoor equipment manufacturer based in the UK. It was initially the name of a hover mower invented by Karl Dahlman in 1964. Now, it’s a whole brand that is a subsidiary of Husqvarna.
The brand makes chainsaws, hedge trimmers, lawnmowers, pressure cleaners, and other lawn and garden equipment. While Poulan makes its products with different brand names and designs, you can find some similarities between the products of both brands.
Aside from these brands, Husqvarna has other subsidiaries, which include,
- Klippo
- Diamant Boart
- RedMax
- HTC
- Blastrac
- Weed Eater
The similarity between these brands is that they manufacture outdoor and power equipment. Additionally, many of them are industry beaters in their respective regions, with Gardena Being a force to reckon with in Europe. Husqvarna Subsidiaries like PoulanPro and Coulloch are based in America and are famous in the US market.
The fact that Husqvarna owns all these brands contributes to why it’s a reputable company. You should note that the brand acquires most of these companies from the original owner and make them a subsidiary like it did for Gardena in 2007 and McCulloch in 1999 and 2008.
Stihl vs. Husqvarna: Which is Better?
Husqvarna and Stihl both use state-of-the-art manufacturing processes in making their products. They have a network of retailers that sells their products, although Hursqvarna’s goods tend to be more expensive. If the “made in the USA” tag is what you want, they both have giant manufacturing plants in the US where they make their products.
Husqvarna is one of the US’s largest producers of lawnmowers. Stihl also makes lawnmowers, but its presence in the US isn’t as strong as Husqvarna’s. However, Stilhl lawnmowers are also good for your yard care if you come across one.
Chainsaw production is where both brands excel, and it’s a common debate about which brand makes it better. Technically, which is better depends on personal preference as both brands make good chainsaws perfect for all types of work. However, Stihl chainsaws are better for home care because of their reduced price, low maintenance, and requires lesser maintenance.
Husqvarna chainsaws, on the other hand, are more equipped for professionals. Stihl and Husqvarna have other top products which reflect their status as leading brands. It’s best to research and know the one ideal for your specific usage before you purchase.
Conclusion
Husqvarna doesn’t own Stihl, but it possesses many other subsidiaries across the globe. Stihl and Husqvarna have never collaborated and only manufacture the best products for their customers. Whichever brand’s product you buy among the two is a good choice depending on your budget and needs.
Remember that they’re both European companies and only came to the US to expand their base. They also have a massive presence in the European market, and some of Husqvarna’s subsidiaries are based in Europe. These brands also have branches in other parts of the world, including China.
Wherever you buy any of these brand’s products, understand that you’re getting great value for your money. At the same time, know that you’re responsible for your purchase, and you should evaluate these brands properly before you buy from them.
