Founded in 1861 in Bystrice pod Hostynem in what is today the Czech Republic, TON is one of the oldest bent furniture plants in the world. Its founder, Michael Thonet, chose the location for its abundance of beech forests, which provided ample raw materials and reduced transportation and labor costs. TON's unique industrial labor organization system, where workers specialized in specific tasks, and its use of advanced technologies enabled the production of high-quality bentwood furniture at competitive prices.