[citation needed] In 1945, Stihl, a Nazi Party and Allgemeine SS member, was arrested by Allied troops and his company was seized.

[9] In the mid-1970s, Stihl expanded the company by building manufacturing plants in Brazil and in the United States.

Along with the professional markets, Stihl designed a number of home-use equipment, like blowers, line trimmers, edgers, and chainsaws.

In the 1970s while building chainsaws, Stihl entered the small engine market contracting the Japanese company Komatsu to make products like blowers(eg.BG60) and brush cutters(eg.FS80) for several years until Stihl designed their own.

[10] In December 2008, Stihl acquired the carburetor producer Zama to safeguard the supply and to enter a new business segment with growth potential.