VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Stihl Inc. announced today that it will relocate the operations of Mississippi Valley Stihl of Peoria, Ill., and Midwest Stihl Inc., of Hayward, Wis., to establish a new single distribution site in the Village of Cottage Grove, Wis. The new operation, known as Midwest Sthil, a division of Sthil Incorporated, will serve customers throughout the mid-northern region of the U.S.

“We are extremely pleased to announce this new distribution location in order to serve our dealers more efficiently in this area of the country,” said Stihl Inc. President Fred Whyte. “We are also happy to announce that all employees from both locations will be offered employment and many are looking forward to joining us at the new location.”

Stihl selected the Village of Cottage Grove for its access to the I-90 and I-94 corridors which are main routes for deliveries to Stihl dealers, according to Whyte. Streamlined services from the new Branch will allow for one-day shipping service to most of the 1,000 dealers in the region.

Stihl Inc. distributes its products across the U.S. through a two-tiered system, selling products through a network of independent distributors and company owned branches. Distributors and branches, in turn, sell products to authorized Stihl servicing dealers nationwide.

Joe Hickey, the current branch manager for Mississippi Valley Stihl, will serve as the branch manager for the new operation. The new Midwest Stihl facility will occupy almost 10 acres and the consolidation of operations will take place over the course of 2015.

“We are looking forward to becoming active members of the Village of Cottage Grove community and hope to participate in all the activities the area has to offer,” said Hickey.

For more information on Stihl Inc., visit www.stihlusa.com.