On 17th February 1945, twenty-year-old Swiss skilled metal worker Alfred Lienhard opens a workshop in the Swiss canton Appenzell Ausserrhoden. He manufactures simple steel tube products, garden furniture, and lockers.

In 1951, the company, now with a staff of 45, has already grown out of its facilities. They move to Erlen in eastern Switzerland where “Lienhard Stahlbau“ successfully specialises in manufacturing drawer cabinets.

Modern production methods modelled in the automotive industry bring sweeping success. In 1970, the workforce has grown to more than 400. Sales increase to around 40 million Swiss francs.

At the beginning of the seventies, the company founder’s son makes the visionary decision to gain a foothold in the USA. Lista is given a second mainstay in the form of office furniture. Its significance will grow with the opening of Lista Degersheim and the Arnegg production facility in Switzerland.
Lista International Corporation

Establishing six independent country organisations ensuring sustainable development of the sales organisation together with the distributors follows in the eighties. The small metal working business of old has turned into a enterprise group with worldwide activities.

Starting in 2004, the group is split into two units in order to enable a stable succession arrangement: Office Furniture Systems (today, Lista Office, owned by the Lienhard Family) and Workshop and Storage Systems (today, Lista Holding AG).
Lista Office AG

In 2006, the Lista Workshop and Storage Systems group is acquired by the private equity company Capvis and is strategically repositioned. Fredy A. Lienhard continues to be an important minority stockholder.

In 2007 Lista closes ranks with Thur Metall AG, an ideal supplement to the production capacity of the Lista Group.
Thur Metall AG