Staefa (Switzerland), 02.04.2012 – On March 15, 2012 Sonova Holding AG informed that it expected to be served with summons to pay in the amount of approximately CHF 15 million by various investors represented by Deminor SCRL / CVBA. In the meantime Sonova has been served with summons to pay totaling approximately CHF 26 million, which exceeds the amount initially indicated to the company. Sonova formally objected to all summons to pay. The summons to pay were filed as a precautionary measure to prevent the alleged claims from becoming time-barred. Sonova does not expect further summons to pay.
Staefa (Switzerland), 28.03.2012 – Sonova introduces new products from Phonak, Unitron and Advanced Bionics at the AudiologyNOW! conference in Boston, USA.
Staefa (Switzerland), 23.03.2012 – Sonova Holding AG informs about a change in the International Sales set-up. As of May 1, 2012, the International Sales organization will be divided into the three regions: Europe/South America, North and Central America as well as Asia/Pacific. Each region will be led by a dedicated executive who will report directly to the CEO.
Staefa (Switzerland), March 15, 2012 – Sonova Holding AG has been notified that it will be served over the next days with summons to pay (“Zahlungsbefehle”) in the amount of approximately CHF 15,000,000 by various investors represented by Deminor SCRL / CVBA, a Belgian company active in the field of shareholder damage recovery. According to Deminor, summons to pay will also be served on Andy Rihs, member of the Board of Directors of Sonova.
Staefa (Switzerland), 06.03.2012 – Ignacio Martinez, Sonova Group Vice President (GVP) International Sales, has decided to leave the company for personal reasons. He will remain in his position until mid-June, 2012.
Staefa (Switzerland), February 28, 2012 – Sonova Holding AG announces today the appointment of Hartwig Grevener as new CFO of the company. The 45-year-old German citizen is currently CFO of Jet Aviation, a business group of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD). He has an extensive track record in executive finance roles both within privately owned enterprises and large corporations. He will be taking his position on August 1, 2012. Furthermore, Sonova permanently appoints Andi Vonlanthen as GVP Research & Development. He has held this position ad-interim since April 2011. With these appointments, all positions of the Management Board are permanently filled.
Staefa (Switzerland), 15.11.2011 – Sonova Holding AG, the world’s leading provider of hearing systems, announced half-year results for the period ending September 30, 2011. The Group generated sales of CHF 763.0 million in the first half of fiscal 2011/12, a decrease of 8.2% in reported Swiss francs compared to the previous year’s period due to a negative currency impact of 16.5%. In local currencies, sales increased by 8.3% whereof organic growth contributed 4.2% and acquisition growth 4.1%. The hearing instruments segment, accounting for 95% of Group turnover, recorded a strong growth rate of 11.4% in local currencies. Consolidated operating profit (EBITA) was CHF 138.4 million or 18.1% of sales. Considering the negative currency impact on EBITA of CHF 53.2 million, EBITA at constant currencies would have been CHF 191.6 million, or 21.3% of sales.
Stäfa (Switzerland), 02.11.2011 – Sonova Holding AG, the world’s leading provider of hearing systems, announces today that its Board of Directors nominates Dr. Beat Hess as a new board member for election at the next Annual General Meeting in June 2012.
Stäfa (Switzerland), 19.10.2011 – Sonova Holding AG, the world’s leading provider of hearing systems, announces preliminary sales results for the first half of 2011/12 of CHF 763 million which includes a local currency growth rate of 11.4% in the hearing instruments segment. The Group unveils many new products launched at this year’s International Congress of Hearing Aid Acousticians (EUHA) in Nuremberg, Germany. Sonova also announces the outcome of the employee consultation process and the resulting decision to close the Phonak Acoustic Implants facility in Lonay, Switzerland.
Stäfa (Switzerland), 30.09.2011 – Sonova Holding AG, the world’s leading provider of hearing systems, announces today the internal transfer of Sona’s activities into Unitron Hearing. This transfer will enhance the Unitron product portfolio and will support Unitron’s overall positioning. The Group also announces a change in Unitron’s senior management. Regarding its middle ear implant research project Sonova is considering the closure of the Phonak Acoustic Implants facility in Lonay, Switzerland.
Stäfa (Switzerland), 13.09.2011 – Sonova is pleased to announce the immediate market re-entry of the Advanced Bionics HiRes 90K cochlear implant in the United States. In recent months, Advanced Bionics (AB) received approval from several other regulatory bodies, including Health Canada and the European Notified Body (TÜV), to resume distribution of the HiRes 90K cochlear implant to Canada and countries accepting the CE Mark. With the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Advanced Bionics can resume distribution in the United States and re-enter all markets worldwide.
Stäfa (Switzerland), 24.05.2011 - Sonova consolidated its leading position in the hearing instrument industry in financial year 2010/11. Despite negative currency effects, a new sales record of CHF 1,617 million was achieved. This translated to a growth rate of 13.3% in local currencies and 7.8% in Swiss francs compared to the previous year. All geographic regions contributed to the sales growth. 96% of sales were recorded in Sonova’s core business, hearing instruments, in which further market share gains and a growth of 10.1% in local currencies were achieved. The hearing instrument segment reported an EBITA of CHF 372 million or 24.0% of sales. At 61.9%, the equity financing ratio was at a high level and Sonova remained in a solid financial position.
Stäfa (Switzerland), 24.01.2011 - Sonova announces the completion of the Phonak Spice Generation portfolio
Stäfa (Switzerland) 24.02.2011 - Sonova Holding AG, the world’s leading provider of hearing systems, today announced a change in the existing acquisition agreement with representatives of the former shareholders of InSound Medical Inc., Newark, USA. A one-off payment of USD 94 million will replace all previous earn-out obligations. The change in the agreement will allow the Sonova Group to include InSound Medical, which was previously run separately due to the variable purchase price component, into the general Phonak US distribution strategy. This will enable the Group to better exploit the commercial potential in the United States.
Stäfa (Switzerland), 18.07.2011 - The Board of Directors of Sonova Holding AG today appointed Lukas Braunschweiler as new CEO of the company. The 55 year old Swiss citizen is currently the CEO of the Swiss technology group Ruag, his most recent position in a long career that has spanned Switzerland and the United States in the high-tech industry. He will be taking his position as CEO of Sonova on November 1, 2011.
Stäfa (Switzerland), 21.06.2011 - The shareholders of Sonova Holding AG approved all resolutions of the Board of Directors at the Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting (AGM) on June 21, 2011 and decided on a distribution of CHF 1.20 per share, without withholding taxes, from the capital contribution reserve. 759 shareholders attended the AGM of Sonova Holding AG in Zurich, representing approximately 49.5% of the total share capital.
Stäfa (Switzerland), 06.05.2011 – Sonova announces preliminary financial results for the 2010/11 year which includes consolidated sales of CHF 1.617 billion, a new record for the company, and an EBITA (before acquisition-related amortization and impairment) of CHF 326.6 million, or 20.2% of net sales. Net sales increased by 13.3% in local currencies and by 7.8% in Swiss francs mainly due to sales growth in the hearing instrument segment, which recorded sales of CHF 1.546 billion, 10.1% above the previous year. The strong sales result was driven by the successful introduction of the new products on the Spice platform. Sales of hearing implants were CHF 71 million, approximately CHF 60 million below expectation due to the temporary recall of the Advanced Bionics cochlear implants. However, the product is on sale again in a number of countries after TÜV has granted its approval in April 2011.
Stäfa (Switzerland), 14.04.2011 - Sonova Holding AG, the world’s leading provider of hearing systems, is announcing today, that Advanced Bionics (AB), a global leader in developing advanced cochlear implant systems, has received CE mark approval from the European Notified Body (TÜV) for changes submitted for the manufacturing of the HiRes 90K™ implant. Advanced Bionics is in the process of resuming production and distribution of HiRes 90K implants in all markets that recognize the CE mark or do not require additional approval.
Stäfa (Switzerland), 06.04.2011 - Sonova introduces new products from Phonak, Unitron and Sona
Stäfa (Switzerland), 30.03.2011 – In the run-up to the profit warning of 16 March 2011 the responsible persons at Sonova failed to issue a timely Sonova-internal black-out period for trading in Sonova shares and options. As a result of this failure, there were trades that should not have taken place during that period. In addition, Sonova has issued its profit warning too late. These findings are the result of an investigation carried out by a law firm upon a mandate issued by the Board of Directors of Sonova. Based upon these events and their consequences for the Company, the CEO of the Company, Valentin Chapero, and the CFO, Oliver Walker, have tendered their resignations. In addition, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Andy Rihs, has declared that he will step down as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Stäfa (Switzerland), 16.03.2011 - Sonova Holding AG, the world’s leading provider of hearing systems, is announcing today that the Group is expecting sales of around CHF 1,600 million and an EBITA margin of 20-21% for 2010/11, barring any unforeseen events. The previously announced recall of the Advanced Bionics cochlear implant, delayed sales growth in traditional hearing instruments and negative currency effects have resulted in changes in the outlook for the current business year.
Stäfa (Switzerland), 16.02.2011 - Sonova Holding AG, the world’s leading provider of hearing systems, announced today the creation of a new Management Board position to strengthen its hearing implant business. The strategic relevance of this business and the goal of achieving a leadership position in this market in the long term will be underscored by the strong representation at the top management level of the Group. To that end Hansjürg Emch has been appointed new Group Vice President Medical, effective March 1, 2011.