The company was founded in 1952 as a factory for ball wreaths by Hans Breuer and Joseph Steingass. Four years later, the production of
fifth wheels began. As early as 1960, Jost expanded to the UK and to
apartheid-era South Africa (plant in Chloorkop). Further expansion followed in the 1970s and 80s – including in Italy, France, the United States, Spain and Australia. To increase capacity, a second plant was built in
Wolframs-Eschenbach in Germany in 1980. In 2000, Jost opened its first plant in the United States in
Greeneville, Tennessee. In 2008, Jost, which is considered a
hidden champion, was itself acquired by the private equity firm
Cinven. The company went public on July 20, 2017, with an
IPO. By January 2018, the previous owner Cinven had sold all shares of Jost. The company has been listed on the
SDAX since March 19, 2018. The takeover of the Swedish company
Ålö Holding AB, which specializes in agricultural
front loaders, took place in 2020. == Locations ==