Page 19 - Landscape-Issue 156

PERSONALITY PROFILE

first priority was to keep the team focused
and motivated. Within days, the supply
chain team had secured a third-party
logistics partner in Johannesburg and
began coordinating an unprecedented
airfreight operation: 360 tons of cargo
to replenish inventory. At the same time,
temporary office space was found and this
was later purchased, ensuring stability for
employees.
Seven weeks after the disaster, Stihl was
trading again and what could have been
the end of the business instead became
a turning point. Today, the company no
longer operates its own warehouse and
has embraced a more efficient model,
shifting the focus to sales, marketing, and
supporting the STIHL brand. This experience
reinforced Hutton’s belief in agility, decisive
leadership and the power of a committed
team. “Adaptability has been a constant
theme in my career and each challenge has
taught me that success lies not in avoiding
change, but in leveraging it. The destruction
of our building may have been our greatest Dr Nikolas Stihl (right), Chairman of the Stihl Supervisory Board, officially opens the new Stihl South Africa offices.
challenge, but it also became our greatest
achievement,” he explains.

Independent decision-making
While STIHL Germany sets the overall
global strategy and brand standards, the
South African subsidiary operates with a
significant degree of independence in day-
to-day decision making. Each year, Hutton
presents their results and strategic plans to
the STIHL board in Germany for alignment
and approval. Once the plan is agreed upon,
they have full autonomy to implement it
locally, adapting to market conditions and
customer needs. This approach combines
global consistency with local flexibility,
which has been key to the success of Stihl
South Africa.

Hobbies and interests
Hutton is an avid cyclist, which wasn’t
always the case — STIHL actually influenced
that change. For years, they supported
MTB events in KZN under the slogan ‘STIHL
Cleared the Way,’ since their equipment The new home of Stihl South Africa
was used to prepare the trails. One of the
event organisers suggested that he ride technology leader, excelling in both petrol are not just about history; they’re about
the following year, and he did. “I haven’t and battery tools. shaping the future. The focus is on honouring
stopped since and today I cycle 12,000 to Hutton elaborates: “This puts us in an STIHL’s heritage while driving innovation,
13,000 km annually, not to win races but for exciting position: on the one hand, we’re particularly in battery technology, and
the mental and physical benefits and the joy launching some of the most powerful and strengthening the company’s position as a
of exploring our beautiful country. Cycling innovative battery-powered equipment, dual technology leader. “It’s an exciting time
has taught me discipline, perseverance and and on the other, we introduced the to reimagine our business and reinforce our
the value of balance—qualities I bring to my world’s first fuel-injected chainsaw and the commitment to customers and partners,” he
professional life,” he says. most affordable STIHL brushcutters ever: states.
the FS 230 and FS 3001 were designed for As a prelude to the above celebrations,
Vision for the future of the company emerging markets where STIHL remains Stihl South Africa recently welcomed
STIHL has long been synonymous with an aspirational brand. This dual approach Dr. Nikolas Stihl, Chairman of the Stihl
petrol-powered tools and is a world leader ensures we meet the needs of both Supervisory Board, to officially open the
in the chainsaw market. However, just like advanced and developing markets, while company’s new premises and engage with
the automotive industry, they are seeing staying ahead of global trends.” selected dealers across the country. To
a strong shift toward battery-powered mark its centennial, the parent company
solutions. While they believe petrol- Landmark year will introduce the MS 500i Centennial
powered tools will remain relevant in many In 2026, STIHL South Africa celebrates 30 Edition, the world’s first chainsaw to feature
markets for years, they don’t want to be a years, and the German parent company electronically controlled fuel injection with
‘one-trick pony’. Their goal is to be a dual marks 100 years globally. These milestones high performance power. n

Check us out www.salandscape.co.za Landscape SA • Issue 156 2025 17