Wedemark, February 16, 2020. Sennheiser plans to focus on its Professional business in future and aims to secure a partnership to strengthen its market position in Consumer Electronics. With this decision, Sennheiser is consistently continuing on its course to build greater independence for its business units.
“In our Professional and Consumer Divisions, we have four Business Units in total: Pro Audio, Business Communications, Neumann and Consumer Electronics. In all of these areas we see great potential for growth. At the same time, they are characterized by different customer groups, customer requirements, product life cycles and market dynamics,” says Andreas Sennheiser, Co-CEO of Sennheiser. “To be best able to exploit the potential in each of these markets, we are concentrating our own resources on the three business areas in the Professional division and are looking for a strong partner to invest in our Consumer business," adds Daniel Sennheiser, Co-CEO of Sennheiser. Talks with potential partners will start shortly.
**Strengthen the market position and increase visibility in the Consumer business **
The headphone market and the soundbar business in Consumer Electronics offer great growth potential – despite a highly dynamic market and strong competitive pressure. This is especially the case for the true wireless headphone market. “Our products are known for the best sound and for delivering a unique sound experience. These crucial aspects are at the heart of the purchasing decision for our customers in the Premium Headphones, Enhanced Hearing, Audiophile and Soundbars segments," explains Daniel Sennheiser, Co-CEO. “These are the strengths that we want to work with a partner to build upon.” In parallel, it is important to increase visibility in the market in order to be able to achieve sustainable growth.
Focus on development of Professional business
A partnership for the Consumer business enables Sennheiser to place its focus and resources on strengthening its Pro Audio, Business Communications and Neumann business units. “Whether in the studio, concert hall, conference room or auditorium – in the Pro world, Sennheiser stands for a superior audio experience, the highest reliability and the best customer understanding,” says Andreas Sennheiser. Here, the audio specialist plans to independently invest in its sound competence as well as in its market presence and visibility. This will enable Sennheiser to continue to grow at an above-average rate and to expand its strong position in the global market. The business communications market in particular offers significant opportunities for growth that Sennheiser intends to capture.
Repositioning for a successful future
“All business units are to emerge strengthened from the planned repositioning. With a strong partner at our side to invest in our Consumer business, we will be even better equipped to play to our strengths – and to continue to bring the benefit of these strengths to our customers,” says Daniel Sennheiser. Andreas Sennheiser adds: “For over 75 years, Sennheiser has stood for excellent technology and unique audio experiences. In doing so, we always focus on the needs of our customers. And we will continue to do so in the future.’
Rumors are that this idea of division is required for two mergers that will follow.
First the consumer will be merged with IT giant company (using newly printed money). And next another big holding will buy out all professional stuff and add it to big names list of brands that they already own.
In mid-February, Sennheiser announced that it wanted to set up the divisions more independently and to look for a buyer for the consumer division, which includes the headphone business for end customers. This has now been found with an investor from Switzerland. The purchase price is 200 million euros.
Complete transfer of operations by the end of the year
The buyer of Sennheiser's “Consumer Division” is the Swiss Sonova Holding AG, which claims to be the world market leader in the field of hearing aids and cochlear implants - the company is therefore quite familiar with acoustics. Sonova intends to raise the necessary financial resources from the company's existing funds. The supervisory authorities have yet to approve the takeover. If the purchase is approved, which is currently assumed, the complete transfer of operations should be completed by the end of the year.
Sennheiser brand is used under license
Sonova can continue to operate the Sennheiser brand under license, so headphones and soundbars will probably continue to be sold under this brand in the future. According to Sennheiser, a long-term cooperation between the two companies is planned under the common Sennheiser brand. Both partners see great potential in the market for speech-optimized hearables as well as for true wireless and high-end headphones.
Sennheiser's consumer division has around 600 employees and most recently generated annual sales of 250 million euros. The transfer of operations and the change of employees to Sonova should be coordinated with the works council.
Industry rumor now is that all but 2-3 top models will remain in the wired headphones range. And they will also be eventually put off the market.
New buyer is interested in making and reselling Chinese wireless headphones under famous brand as it allow to double to even triple existing profits.
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