Ton

The inventor and entrepreneur Michael Thonet was lured to Bystřice pod Hostýnem by the town’s surrounding beech forests, hardworking local folk, and logistically advantageous position. Together with his sons he built his factory here in 1861, the oldest surviving factory of its kind in the world. Throughout its history the factory has been through several ownership structures and name changes. The current name TON originates from 1953 and is an acronym for the Czech Továrny na ohýbaný nábytek, ‘bentwood furniture factories’ in English. What has not changed in the 160 years of its existence is the unique atmosphere of the place, formed by its people and their singular approach to their craft