Stihl is relocating operations for its Mississippi Valley Stihl of Peoria, Ill., and Midwest Stihl of Hayward, Wis., to establish a new single distribution site in the Village of Cottage Grove, Wis. The new operation, known as Midwest Stihl 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,” Stihl President Fred Whyte said. “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, Whyte said. Streamlined services from the new branch will allow for one-day shipping service to most of the 1,000 dealers in the region.

Stihl 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,” Hickey said.