FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
World of Concrete 2026 Registration Is Open ↗

STIHL Inc. President Fred Whyte to Retire

Words: Lindsy ShrewberrySTIHL Inc. announced that president Fred Whyte will retire at the end of this year. Whyte has been part of the STIHL group for 44 years, and president of STIHL Inc. for 23 years. 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 January 1, 2016. Fischer has been with the company since 2012, and 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 twenty 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 put to practice 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 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. I am proud of what we have accomplished, and I am pleased that Bjoern Fischer will be leading the company going forward," said Fred Whyte, president of STIHL Inc. "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.
 0
Manufactured Stone Veneer Trends for 2026: What’s Next in Stone & Masonry Aesthetics
December 2025

As design trends evolve, stone and masonry continue to stand at the intersection of artistry, performance, and innovation. For 2026, manufactured stone veneer (MSV) is emerging as one of the most dynamic materials in the exterior and interior design space

Sarah Lograsso
MAP Partner
Read More
Construction Robotics Upgrades to Gold in the 2026 Masonry Alliance Program
December 2025

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is delighted to share that Construction Robotics will upgrade their Silver partnership to a Gold partnership in the 2026 Masonry Alliance Program.

Industry News
Read More
MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 34 Recap: Major Ogilvie, CEO at Ogilvie Strategies, LLC
December 2025

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Major Ogilvie joins the set to talk about his days playing football in college, how his journey started, and how he's seen the masonry industry change over the years.

Justin Stengel
The MASONRY STRONG Podcast
Read More
Building the Future of the Trades: STABILA’s International Social Media Day and Verified Social Channels Are Inspiring the Next Generation
December 2025

In an era when social media often shapes public perception more than traditional media, even the most time-honored trades are finding new ways to connect, educate, and inspire. STABILA, a global name synonymous with precision measurement tools is trusted

Elsa Bueno
MAP Partner
Read More