As Sennheiser announced today, a Swiss investor has acquired the consumer headphone segment. The entire division, existing and future models, as well as the ability to sell under the Sennheiser name, will go to global supplier of medical hearing aids, Sonova. The deal will not affect other Sennheiser destinations and brands.
The traditional German manufacturer from Wedemark just celebrated its 75th anniversary last year. After a while, they started talking about difficulties and job cuts. The reasons were cited as an ever-changing market and the coronavirus. Sennheiser is now trailing the consumer sector (including headphones and soundbars) to the Swiss company Sonova. According to media reports, the hearing aid manufacturer is investing 200 million euros in the purchase. The purchase must be completed by the end of 2021.
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The new partner wants to expand their hearing aid portfolio and at the same time provide new knowledge for Sennheiser consumer products. According to press reports, the result will be “innovative hearing solutions” that will be “an excellent starting point for future growth.” As a result, it is necessary to strengthen the business of speech-optimized headphones, true wireless and high-quality headphones.
It looks like Sennheiser has indeed found a good partner in a hearing aid manufacturer. Because hearing aids are high-tech these days. In the field of miniaturization, battery technology and control – there is definitely an experience that affects the headphones of today. New items will continue to be sold under the Sennheiser brand. So there isn’t much that needs to change for customers, we’d rather see how the sale affects employees. Last year, the company announced in Hannover that it would cut 650 jobs by 2022. The deal will not affect the professional audio and business sectors, nor will the Neumann brand. Sennheiser wants to focus on these areas.
