Almost 30 years ago, our founders, Dorothee and Alexander Grisar, began to bring hammocks and the joie de vivre of hammock culture from Latin America to Germany. LA SIESTA is now a worldwide brand that sells hammocks in many styles, specially designed hanging products, racks and fastening solutions.
On the 16th of March, 1991, our founders sold their first hammock at the Rhineland-Palatinate exhibition in Mainz. The hammock stand was a colorfully decorated steel scaffolding, where the hammocks were presented for customers to test try. In addition to the hammocks, sweaters and arts and crafts products from Latin America were initially offered.
Hammocks were something exotic in Germany and rather unknown. Many globetrotters knew hammocks from their backpack trips to South America and were glad to have found a trustworthy supplier close to home.
Over time, not only did the enthusiasm for hammocks increase but so did interest in its origins and in the various hammock traditions throughout South America. LA SIESTA now offers a range of colorful, ethically and sustainably made hammocks from Brazil, Mexico, Nicaragua and El Salvador.
With increasing demand also came an increased emphasis on quality. In order to improve the imported products, the idea of the LA SIESTA brand was born. From that moment forward, we have designed all of our own products and have developed a longterm marketing concept with only two goals in mind: to create the world's most comfortable hammock and to educate the world about the quality of life benefits that are made possible when you just spend 15 minutes a day in a hammock.
With the invention of our SafeTurn swivel, a new safety standard for hanging chairs was established. SafeTurn makes it possible to rotate 360 degrees without tangling the suspension cords.
In order to meet the high demand from our customers, we naturally had to step up our game. A warehouse with an integrated office was built in Jugenheim, Germany in 1998. It still serves as the LA SIESTA Global Headquarters to this very day.
It's never to early to start the hammock life (your best life). With the development of the Yayita, LA SIESTA brought the hammock to European babies and all those outside of the traditional cultures. This was revolutionary. Babies could now safely enjoy the gentle rocking pleasure of a hammock made just for them. Two variable reclining positions allowed the little ones to have optimal comfort during their hammock time. It has proven itself time and time again and comes highly recommended by both parents and therapists alike.
In 2005, LA SIESTA launches the world's first hanging chair in XXL format, The Lounger Hammock Chair. With a pole width of 140 cm, a seat length of 210 cm, and unparalleled comfort, there is no other hanging chair of its kind.
At the tender age of 67, Alexander Grisar left the company with a heavy heart to dedicate himself to the non-profit SOCiLA initiative. In 2008, he handed over the management of LA SIESTA to his sons Maximilian and Leonid. Three years later, Cornelius Grisar completed the trio.
With the launch of the Joki in an array of vibrant color options, LA SIESTA definitely won the hearts of children across the globe. The drop-shaped hanging nests add a bold, decorative and cheerful element to any nursery providing a perfect retreat for play and relaxation.
In 2010, the packaging of classic hammocks was converted to "Rollito". This avoids packaging waste and furthers our commitment to environmental sustainability. This packaging style is so unique it holds a worldwide copyright and is still a hallmark of the LA SIESTA hammocks brand.
When it comes to the suspension of hammocks, both the stability and the adjustability of the rope length play important roles. At LA SIESTA, we developed two suspension systems, MultiSpot and EasyAdjust, setting new standards for the installation of hammocks and hanging chairs.
After 20 years of experience with classic cotton hammocks, we introduced a parachute silk variant to the market. The Colibri camping hammock combines an integrated suspension system with new standards in comfort, design and durability.
With an almost naturally engrained and genuine desire for sharing the hammock side of life and its many benefits, as well as the desire to meet a growing demand, Maximilian, the eldest son, moved his family to Miami, Florida and founded the subsidiary LA SIESTA Inc. They are writing a new chapter in the history of the company and spreading the hammock love throughout the US.
In 2015, we accept the special fair trade award presented to us by the district of Mainz-Bingen, Germany. In his laudatory speech, District Administrator Klaus Schick honors LA SIESTA's commitment to sustainability, including the handling of our suppliers in India, Colombia, Brazil and Poland.
Together with MainzPlus and 269 volunteer participants, we set the Guinness Book World Record for the most people hanging out in hammocks at once on July 31, 2016. The world record was set using a specially designed, limited edition red hammock created with the Mainz coat of arms. It is the first record of it’s kind and remains unbroken.
For the 25th anniversary of the company, we release the Aniversario, the first hammock from our own organic plant in Colombia. The striped pattern is inspired by typical Colombian hats, the sombreros vueltaios.
The new generation of suspension systems is born in close cooperation with ITM Kunststofftechnik in Bad Kreuznach. Thanks to angled screw guidance, the improved MultiSpots can now also be mounted on drywalls; all tree suspension sets now have bark-friendly straps.
The Moki kids’ hammock was developed together with occupational therapists and sets new standards in design, safety and the promotion of child development. Daycare and therapy centers swear by the “little sister” of the Joki hanging nest, which was awarded the ergonomic quality seal by the independent Institute for Health and Ergonomics e.V. (IGR).
The ZunZun is a world first that offers unprecedented mobility thanks to its foldable spreader bar and small packing size. In a few simple steps, this small and ultra-light travel hammock chair turns any spot into your very own oasis of relaxation.
Our new generation of hammock chairs makes you feel like you’re floating on air thanks to 360° swivel. All sizes are available, so you can decide whether to relax by sitting or reclining. The Domingo is our weather-resistant outdoor all-rounder, while the Habana embodies LA SIESTA’s corporate values with its traditionally woven cloth surface of organic cotton and an FSC-certified spreader bar.
LA SIESTA’s kids’ products, hammock chairs and travel products have been awarded the quality seal “Movement Innovation” by the Institute for Movement Education and Movement Research (InBuB) established by Prof. Dr. Harald Lange.
When my husband and I discovered the hammocks from Latin America about 30 years ago and made it into an import business, a new chapter opened up in our lives. The small garage next to our house was converted into a hammock warehouse and our 3 sons, then between ages 12 and 18 years old, naturally gravitated towards this new family business from Day 1.
"This same enthusiasm for hammocks continues unabated at LA SIESTA today.""
I still run the warehouse sales myself to thsi day, and I stand by my sons and the nearly 40 employees of LA SIESTA.
It brings me great pleasure to share the history of LA SIESTA with the rest of the world.
Dorothee Grisar, Gründerin