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Sonova

Sonova Group
Public
Traded as SIXSOON
ISIN CH1012549785
Industry Medical devices
Founded 1947 (company), 1985 (holding)
Headquarters Stäfa, Switzerland
Key people
Robert F. Spoerry, Chairman
Beat Hess, Vice-Chairman
Lukas Braunschweiler, CEO
Products Hearing instruments
Brands Advanced Bionics
Phonak
Unitron
Revenue 2,071.9 Mil. CHF (2015/2016)
Number of employees
10,894 (31.03.2016)
Website www.sonova.com

Sonova Holding AG (Phonak Holding AG before 1 August 2007) is an internationally active Swiss company headquartered in Stäfa that specializes in hearing care solutions (hearing instruments, cochlear implants, wireless communication solutions). It is one of the largest providers in the sector worldwide. The group operates through its core business brands Phonak, Unitron, Hansaton, Advanced Bionics and AudioNova.

On August 1, 2007 Phonak AG officially changed its name to Sonova Holding AG.

Sonova Group and its brands hold 24% of the global hearing aid market in sales.

The group traces its roots back to the Zurich-based AG für Elektroakustik, which was founded in 1947. Ernst Rihs acquired a majority shareholding in 1965, renaming the company Phonak AG. His two sons, Hans-Ueli and Andy Rihs, also went on to join the firm, along with Beda Diethelm; after Ernst Rihs’ death, the two sons took over his shares while Beda Diethelm became a shareholder with equal rights.

Phonak Holding AG was founded in 1985 as a holding company for the Phonak Group. The company was floated on the SWX Swiss Exchange[2] in 1994 and renamed Sonova Holding AG on 1 August 2007, although this change applied only to the holding company; all the subsidiaries (including Phonak AG) and product names have remained unaffected.

Sonova develops and markets hearing care solutions in two segments, hearing aids and cochlear implants. The Sonova Group is represented in more than 90 countries and employs 10,894 staff (figures correct as per March 2016). The company recorded sales of CHF 2,071.9 million in the 2015/2016 financial year.

The Group consists of more than 30 constituent companies. Its research facilities are located in Switzerland, Canada, and the USA, with manufacturing plants in Switzerland, China and Vietnam. Distribution is handled by its in-house wholesale network and independent sales partners. The Group also owns retail outlets in selected countries.

In November 2009, Sonova announced the takeover of the Advanced Bionics Corporation, which specializes in developing and manufacturing cochlear implants. The purchase was successfully completed in January 2010.

In March 2015, Sonova announced the takeover of Hansaton Akustik GmbH, a Hamburg-based, family-run wholesale hearing instrument company. The purchase was successfully completed in April 2015.


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