A Langnau-based company since 1876.
Cable laying technology, power engineering, and trailer construction: all under one roof at Jost Ltd.
Tradition and Specialization
The history of Jost Ltd. began in 1876 in Langnau in the Emmental.
Following the death of Niklaus Ruchti, Peter Jost-Haldimann purchased his land and foundry in Obermatt – an industrial site where casting has been taking place since 1857. Cowbells, cast-aluminum ham cookers, metal pulleys for hoists or pulleys for winding tackle.
The foundry’s development reached a turning point in 1919.
As Switzerland’s railways become increasingly electrified, the demand for cable laying is on the rise. Adolf Jost-Bigler has already expanded its product line to include winches for agriculture and forestry; now the company is developing its winch product line for railway and energy applications, thereby establishing the foundation for its current core business.
In 1923, Robert Jost took over the business; the locksmithery shop was added, and the business grew through contract manufacturing and repairs. After World War II, the bell foundry is discontinued. Parallel to the peak of agricultural machinery production – with up to 200 motor mowers per year – the focus shifts increasingly toward winches for cable and overhead line installation. In 1957, Jost Ltd. is founded; with sales to Brussels and Tunisia, the company enters the international market.
Five generations ran the business until 1991, when Jost became part of Tibram Holding Ltd. In 2010, the current owner took over. In 2020, TANNER swisstrailer joined as a brand of Jost Ltd. – a long-established trailer construction company from Langnau that continues to operate under the Jost umbrella. From 2021 to 2024, Jost Ltd. Energietechnik develops the hNEA brand for hybrid emergency power systems.
What began as a foundry for cowbells has evolved into cable laying technology for Europe’s infrastructure – and energy technology for emergency power and off-grid systems.
Team and Location
Jost operates in three business areas: cable laying technology, vehicle manufacturing, and energy technology. Engineering, locksmithery, manufacturing, sales, and service are all integrated under one roof in Langnau.
Two of our latest products demonstrate the results of this collaboration: the KZW 25 E electric cable pull winch, which operates with zero emissions, and the hNEA hybrid emergency power system for emergency power and off-grid applications.
Anyone who orders a machine from us or requests a custom solution gains a partner for the entire product lifecycle – a single point of contact, a single point of coordination, and a single service center. Jost is a Swiss-owned company. We have been manufacturing in Langnau in the Emmental since 1876.
Everything that leaves our workshop is built to last.
Address: Jost Ltd., Obermattweg 25, 3550 Langnau i. E.
Jost as part of the network
Jost Ltd. is one of the three core companies of the Tibram Group – along with Tibram Ltd. in Uetendorf (railway technology and metal processing) and its engineering sister company, opdesign ltd., in Langnau. We share common values and a Swiss foundation with both of them. opdesign’s engineering expertise is incorporated into several of our developments. Learn more about our values, sustainability, and engineering on the Group page.
