It’s confirmed: Sennheiser has been partially acquired
Sonova is now the new owner of Sennheiser’s consumer electronics business. The Swiss company has taken over this division of the German audio specialist completely.
Sonova and Sennheiser announced their future cooperation last week. In a press release, the two companies announced that Sonova Holding and Sennheiser are planning to cooperate in the future. Sonova is a provider of medical hearing services headquartered in Stäfa, Zurich. Sonova operates worldwide from there. Sennheiser has its headquarters in Wedemark near Hanover. Their 600-employee site is to be retained after the takeover.
Autonomous, but promoting synergy
Sonova is explicitly taking over Sennheiser’s headphone and soundbar product lines. However, these devices will continue to be sold under the Sennheiser brand as before. For consumers at least, not much will change. According to the press release, a licence agreement for future brand use has been agreed.
However, synergies exist to be exploited. In a message, the two co-CEOs Andreas and Daniel Sennheiser state that their expertise and years of experience will complement each other in the future. The collaboration is expected to result in new products. For example, this could mean that Sonova will use batteries from the hearing aid sector to improve Sennheiser’s true-wireless headphones. However, hearing aids under the Sennheiser brand aren’t planned (article in German).
Sennheiser wants to bundle resources
In February of this year, Sennheiser first announced its intention to focus on the professional sector and to seek a partner for the split. According to the company, resources will flow into the Pro Audio, Business Communications and Neumann business units. Neumann manufactures solutions for customers in the broadcast, recording, live sound, and post-production application areas.
Sennheiser’s gaming headset business was previously sold to Demant. Demant also manufactures hearing aids. Rumours that the US hardware manufacturer would take over Corsair proved to be false at the time. Sennheiser’s consumer division had been up for sale since February (article in German).
Arnd Kaldowski, CEO of Sonova, hopes that the acquisition will enable him to reach people with good hearing at an early stage – in order to promote greater acceptance surrounding the use of hearing aids. This is intended to create a basis for future growth.
According to the media release, Sennheiser is also satisfied: «We couldn’t have asked for a better partner than Sonova for our Consumer Electronics business,» Sennheiser co-CEO Daniel Sennheiser is quoted as saying. If approved by the regulatory authorities, the transfer of Sennheiser’s business is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Testing devices and gadgets is my thing. Some experiments lead to interesting insights, others to demolished phones. I’m hooked on series and can’t imagine life without Netflix. In summer, you’ll find me soaking up the sun by the lake or at a music festival.