Stihl UK HQ: Where Cutting Edge Meets Engineering Excellence - Alan Wood & Partners Stepping Up

13 March 2026

Alan Wood & Partners just proved its mettle by pulling off the new UK HQ for Andreas Stihl Ltd, a trailblazer in the power and garden tools space. Located in Camberley, this state of the art facility packs in modern office space, testing and repair facilities & a fully automated warehouse that's a marvel of tech. AWP really stepped up to the plate on this one, demonstrating their ability to handle tricky engineering challenges while delivering results that fly for clients.

Key Takeaways

  • By pulling off clever flood risk mitigation, AWP managed to get the project going on a site that was previously marked as a flood plain and sort of an undevelopable mess.

  • Using chemically post-tensioned, steel fibre reinforced concrete for the warehouse floor was a stroke of genius - it helped the project tick all the boxes for environmental friendliness and performance at the same time.

  • AWP was also BIM Level 2 accredited (BS 19650), which meant they could work with the design team and other partners in a super seamless way.

  • The best part? AWP pulled off the whole project on time & to budget, turning this hard to crack site into a beautiful HQ for Stihl.

Project Overview

  • ClientAndreas Stihl Ltd
  • LocationCamberley, UK
  • Type of WorksNew Build Development
  • ScopeOffices, warehouse, road access, external yards, parking
  • ObjectiveCreate a modern HQ and automated warehouse
  • Delivery PartnerAlan Wood & Partners

Engineering & Design Challenges - The Tough Stuff

  • 1. Constrained Urban Site

    This site was a tricky one: close to Thames Water assets and in a flood plain so AWP had to come up with some pretty clever strategies to make it happen.

  • 2. Floor Slabs - The Tech Behind The Warehouse

    To get the warehouse working smoothly, AWP came up with the clever solution of using chemically post-tensioned steel fibre reinforced concrete floor slabs. This tech is really the best of both worlds for load-bearing capacity and durability.

  • 3. Staying Green

    AWP worked this project with the environment in mind, aiming to achieve a BREEAM "Very Good" rating.

  • 4. Working Together

    AWP was all about collaboration and worked with the design team and other partners in a BIM Level 2 framework.

AWP’s Role: End-to-End Engineering Delivery

The Services We Offered

  • Civils: you name it, we built it - road, drainage, and all that external stuff

  • Structural Engineering: we designed and built the foundations and warehouse

  • Geotechnical Engineering: we checked the site the hard way - by digging in and getting under it - and designed the foundations.

  • Geo-Environmental Engineering: We sorted the contamination, and made sure the site was safe for everyone.

What We Achieved

So AWP came in and made the impossible happen - a project that was once way too complex to develop was done on time, to budget, and with some really innovative design solutions to boot. The result is a shiny new headquarters for Stihl with cutting-edge automation.

Terms You Need To Know

  • Chemically Post-Tensioned Floor Slabs: You know how concrete can crack? We used steel fibres and chemicals to stop that from happening, and make the warehouse floor even stronger and more durable

  • BIM Level 2 (BS 19650): This is like a secret handshake for architects and engineers - it means all the relevant parties are on the same page, in the same digital space.

  • Flood Risk Mitigation: When a site's in a flood plain, we find ways to mitigate the risks of flooding and keep the site running smoothly.

Conclusion

The new UK headquarters for Stihl Ltd stands as a testament to Alan Wood & Partners’ engineering excellence. Through strategic planning, technical innovation, and collaborative delivery, AWP transformed a challenging site into a high-performance corporate facility. Their work not only met the client’s objectives but also set a benchmark for future developments in urban engineering.