History
The LISI Group
For more than two centuries, the LISI Group has designed and produced assembly solutions and high value-added components for the aerospace, automotive, and medical sectors. The positions it occupies and its international dimension allow it to support its clients in their projects wherever they are located.
Nearly 250 years
of industrial history
LISI was born in the 18th century out of the merger of several familyowned companies in Montbéliard and Belfort. Industrialization began very early in that region located in the north of the Department of Franche-Comté, with various orientations and yet a common technical base: iron work. The technical excellence developed around metalworking eventually came to irrigate other know-how in the region, such as watchmaking, bicycles, or automobiles.
Still supported by a majority family shareholding which allows it to pursue a long-term strategy, LISI continued to expand in France and around the world, in order to offer its customers optimal service and responsiveness.
Key dates
in our history
1777
The origins around steel wire
Frédéric Japy created a watchmaking factory in Beaucourt. He was joined a few years later by other families from Montbéliard and Belfort, in industrial territory. LISI was born from the merger of these family businesses around a common technical base, namely steel wire work.
1962‑1968
Creation of an industrial group: GFD
The Bohly, Dubail-Kohler and Viellard family businesses, present from the start, merged to form Générale de Forgeage Décolletage (GFD), with the ambition to develop the French the French metallurgical industry. GFD became the leading French manufacturer of standard and automotive screws and bolts.
1977
The aerospace business kicked off
The Group started designing and manufacturing fasteners and assembly solutions for the aerospace industry with Blanc Aero Industries. In France first, and then internationally.
2002
The Group was renamed LISI
To differentiate itself from its competitors and position itself as one of the only multi-specialist players in fasteners on an international scale, the Group took the name LISI: Link Solutions for Industry.
2007
The Medical division was created
Between 2007 and 2010, LISI expanded its offering and positioned itself in reconstructive surgery with LISI MEDICAL. In 2016, the division entered the market for the manufacture of minimally invasive surgery instruments.
2023
Heading towards the industry of the future
The LISI Group now focuses its strategy on the major industrial challenges of the future: decarbonization to optimize the impact of its activities, attractiveness to recruit the talents of tomorrow, and productivity, to aim for leadership in each of the markets in which the Group operates.
Our history in detail
1777
Frédéric Japy created a watchmaking factory in Beaucourt
1796
Foundation of the Migeon & Dominé factory initially specializing in the production of wire
1806
First industrial manufacture of forged wood screws by Japy-Frères and Migeon & Dominé
1835
Juvénal Viellard joined Migeon & Dominé, which was eventually renamed Viellard-Migeon & Compagnie (VMC)
1866
Comptoir des quincailleries réunies de l’Est was created, with branches in Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Zürich, Stuttgart and Buenos-Aires
1899
The Société Industrielle de Delle (SID) was founded by the Dubail brothers, Joseph Kohler and Joseph Frossard
1959
Japy's screws and bolts business was taken over by SID, Bohly Frères and VMC
1962-1968
Towards the creation of an industrial group: GFD
The family-run businesses Bohly, Dubail-Kohler and Viellard merged into Générale de Forgeage Décolletage (GFD). The new group became the leading French manufacturer of standard and automotive screws and bolts.
1977
The aerospace business kicked off
In the 1970s, GFD acquired two aerospace subcontracting companies, thanks to the support, of Blanc Aero Industries (BAI), a company specializing in aerospace fasteners. In 1977, GFD and BAI decided to merge to form Générale Financière et Industrielle (GFI). The operation was made possible thanks to an equity investment by the Peugeot family. Even today, the Kohler, Peugeot and Viellard families remain the major shareholders of LISI.
1990-2001
Development through strong external growth
After being floated on the Second Marché of the Paris Stock Exchange in 1989, the group strengthened itself over the following decade by acquiring more than fifteen companies in Europe and the United States.
2002
The group was renamed LISI
In 2000, the group acquired Rapid, which manufactured clips for automobiles. The manufacturing technologies differ between screws and clips, but the commercial approach and the profession are identical. The group harnesses the complementarity of products to stand out from its competitors and position itself as one of the only multi-specialist players in fasteners. It eventually did the same in aerospace with the 2003 acquisition of the Californian Monadnock.
To better mark this positioning, the group took the name LISI in 2002: “Link Solutions for Industry”.
2007-2010
A new division was created, LISI MEDICAL
Between 2007 and 2010, LISI acquired four companies that manufactured dental implants or assembly systems (screws, pins) used in reconstructive surgery. In 2010, with the takeover of Stryker Corporation's hip prosthesis production site located in Hérouville-Saint-Clair, in Normandy, the group set up a new division, LISI MEDICAL.
2011-2014
LISI AEROSPACE started expanding in structural components
With the takeover of Creuzet Aéronautique in 2011, followed by that of Manoir Aerospace in 2014, LISI AEROSPACE started expanding in “complex structural components”, complementary to the fasteners. Such diversification was for LISI AEROSPACE a means to acquire a new dimension in customer relations and establish itself among the major aerospace equipment manufacturers.
2016
LISI MEDICAL acquires a new business
The acquisition of Remmele Medical Operations enables the medical division to expand its industrial operations in the United States and position itself in a new and very promising segment: the manufacture of minimally invasive surgical instruments.
2017-2018
LISI AUTOMOTIVE expands in the United States
With the acquisition of the American companies Termax and Hi-Vol Products, LISI AUTOMOTIVE considerably bolsters its clipped fasteners and high added-value mechanical safety components business and takes on an a global dimension: the division is now present in the 3 major regions for the production of automobiles: China, Europe and North America.
2019-2020
Refocusing activities on high added value solutions
The Group is refocusing its activities on fastening solutions and high added value components.
• LISI AEROSPACE sells two non-strategic subsidiaries: Indraero-Siren in France and LISI AEROSPACE Creuzet Maroc.
• LISI AUTOMOTIVE sells its chassis screws, chassis studs and ball joints (St-Florent site) and its German subsidiary LISI AUTOMOTIVE Mohr Friedrich GmbH specializing in hot forging and producing in particular for the truck market.
LISI becomes the owner of 100% of the capital of the American company Termax.
2020-2021
Strengthening of the Group’s strategic activities
The LISI Group continued its adaptation plan initiated at the start of the health crisis and strengthened its strategic positioning on high value-added activities:
• Disposal of the subsidiary LISI MEDICAL Jeropa (United States) to reposition itself in its core business.
• Disposal of the LACE subsidiary (LISI AEROSPACE).
• Acquisition of the American company B&E Manufacturing by LISI AEROSPACE to extend the product offer on the high-precision hydraulic fittings market.
2022-2023
The Group is pursuing its objectives and keeping on course!
• Creation of LISI GLOBAL SERVICES, the Shared Services Center (SSC) for accounting in France.
• Creation of a CSR Department - Corporate Social Responsibility.
• Launch of our purpose: "Shape and share sustainable links".