TON A.S.

Our company

We manufacture furniture using a manual bending technique at the place, where this tradition began in 1861. However we shift the features of this unique technique further more and mix them with contemporary designers’ thoughts. Our tables and chairs become a connection of quality, innovative shapes and a legacy to the place that has learned to understand the wood for generations.

History

In 1861, a bent furniture plant was opened in Bystřice pod Hostýnem and today it is among the oldest in the world. It was no coincidence that its founder Michael Thonet, whose name the plant bore, chose this place. Surrounded by beech forests offering enough material for the manufacturing process, Bystřice pod Hostýnem also saved on transportation and labour costs thanks to its location. Very unusual industrial labour organisation system, where the workers were specialised in only one task, and also use of  unique technologies were other factors that helped the chairs from Bystřice compete at a reasonable price and expand all over the world.

Even ten years since the opening, 300,000 items of bent furniture were being made every year. By 1912, the number had risen to 445,000 items and  almost 2,000 people looked after the products. In return, the Thonet family took care of their employees. They set up vocational schools for wood processing, kindergartens, a band in Bystřice pod Hostýnem and supported the construction of a railway, built homes for workers and even opened a casino.

After the First World War, which left a heavy toll on the economic situation, the plant merged in 1922 with the Kohn-Mundus joint stock company and changed its name to THONET-MUNDUS. This new corporation operated until 1940. Until the end of the Second World War it was managed by a caretaker appointed by the Reich Protector. Following a decree of the Ministry of Industry from  March 7, 1946, THONET became a national enterprise and in 1953 it was renamed as TON (the abbreviation standing for Továrna Ohýbaného Nábytku – bent furniture factory). After the transformation of the political situation in the Czech Republic in 1989, the organisational structure was changed and the company became a state enterprise. Since 1994, TON has been a joint stock company. 

TON today

Full quality control in all processes - Our products are checked for quality at each manufacturing level and undergo specific strength and durability tests in accordance with European standard EN 15 373:2007 Furniture – Strength, durability and safety – Requirements for non-domestic seating. This is why we can give a five-year warranty for structural integrity and know that our chair will last much longer.

We listen to our customers - We look after them, ask what they need and approach them. We know that every problem has a solution.   

Collaboration with designers and architects - We understand design as a field through which we can proudly show our manufacturing processes, more than 150 years old, to today's world. It represents the link between technologywith a distinct signature and current demands for product appearance and functionality. 

Continuous improvement and waste elimination - Waste means everything that increases product costs without adding a value. We still want to offer our products for a reasonable price, so we cannot tolerate waste in our manufacturing processes.

Respect and trust in people and nature - We make furniture with people and for people. We build a great team, because we believe that the climate in our company is transferred onto our customers. We behave with the greatest respect towards natural resources. Evidence of this is our compliance with ISO 14001:2004.

How TON makes it …from a piece of wood to a designer chair

1. Timber drying and rods - Squared rods are stored and dried after delivery until the required humidity level is reached. The rods are usually dry enough in three months. This time depends on material properties and method of application. 

2. Steaming in the kiln - Beech timber offers the best bending capacity and is placed into saturated steam with a temperature of around 100 °C. The time spent here is determined by the profile of the squared rod. One centimetre takes one hour. 

3. Bending process - Benders place the rod into a former, seal it and put a special flange onto it. Thanks to this, the structure of the wood does not suffer any damage and remains incredibly solid even when its shape changes. It looks so simple, but it is a science. It takes more than a year to learn it correctly. 

4. Staining - Separate pieces or chair assemblies travel to the staining room to be submerged in special tanks. If the customer prefers natural wood colour, we can leave the models in the natural shade and only varnish or oil them. 

5. Finalisation - When processed, the pieces are given their final shape by hand at a designated workstation. Our experienced staff can put chair No. 14 together within 90 seconds. 

6. Varnishing - Varnishing is done when the manufacturing process comes to a close. A robot takes care of simple models, but human hands must be used for more sophisticated pieces. 

7. Upholstery - Upholstery is according to customers' wishes. Customers can choose the colour, material and/or supply their own. For some models, upholstered seats and back rests can be decorated with studs. 

8. Testing - Quality is a priority for us. Our products are checked at each manufacturing level. Besides that, they undergo specific strength and durability tests in accordance with the European standard EN 161397 Furniture – Strength, durability and safety – Requirements for non-domestic seating. They withstand perfectly even the most demanding tests.