Annual Report
2015/16
Letter to shareholders
In 2015/16 we consistently implemented our strategy of continuous innovation in products, services, and distribution, anticipating and addressing the major trends in a growing hearing care market.
Strategy and brands
Sonova
Everything we do is inspired by our goal to help more people enjoy the delight of hearing and a life without limitations. We achieve this through constant innovation: in our products, in our approaches to the market, and in how we improve our customers’ experience.
We believe we can do more, do better for everyone who can benefit from improved hearing. In fact, we are committed to making hearing solutions that break the boundaries in terms of acceptance, ease of use and performance, so people can thrive socially and emotionally.
Claudia Schmidt leads the group on a tour through the Old Masters Picture Gallery in Dresden. Since the gallery decided to install Phonak’s Guide-U technology in the Semper Building, she no longer has to raise her voice, even for large groups. Schmidt has become a big fan: “I couldn’t do without the audio system now.”
Knowledgeable, approachable, and easy to work with, we build personal, trusted relationships with hearing care professionals, giving them the right products, tools, and support to provide an exceptional customer experience and achieve success in their business.
Eberhard Schmidt and Thomas Wittmann, both managers at the “Hörhaus” audiological store, have been working closely with Unitron for many years. The cooperation is mutually beneficial. Hörhaus also takes part in a partnership program offered by Unitron to selected hearing care professionals.
Connect Hearing has just one goal, but it is a far-reaching one: to be the leading service provider in the hearing care industry.
The training program audiclick™ targets auditory cortex functions in the brain for reactivation: damaged nerve cells are regenerated and new connections formed. It was developed in Germany by Fiebing Hörtechnik GmbH.
The collaboration between Advanced Bionics and Phonak delivers unique innovation, providing unrivaled hearing performance to an expanding customer universe.
As soon as a product is approved, Advanced Bionics offers selected wearers a chance to test it. Christian Hartmann is happy to take part and gets to try out the new Phonak EasyCall. This accessory wirelessly transmits the voice signals from a cell phone call to the sound processors.
Hearing Aids
Cochlear implants
Retail
We believe we can do more, do better for everyone who can benefit from improved hearing. In fact, we are committed to making hearing solutions that break the boundaries in terms of acceptance, ease of use and performance, so people can thrive socially and emotionally.
Claudia Schmidt leads the group on a tour through the Old Masters Picture Gallery in Dresden. Since the gallery decided to install Phonak’s Guide-U technology in the Semper Building, she no longer has to raise her voice, even for large groups. Schmidt has become a big fan: “I couldn’t do without the audio system now.”
Knowledgeable, approachable, and easy to work with, we build personal, trusted relationships with hearing care professionals, giving them the right products, tools, and support to provide an exceptional customer experience and achieve success in their business.
Eberhard Schmidt and Thomas Wittmann, both managers at the “Hörhaus” audiological store, have been working closely with Unitron for many years. The cooperation is mutually beneficial. Hörhaus also takes part in a partnership program offered by Unitron to selected hearing care professionals.
Connect Hearing has just one goal, but it is a far-reaching one: to be the leading service provider in the hearing care industry.
The training program audiclick™ targets auditory cortex functions in the brain for reactivation: damaged nerve cells are regenerated and new connections formed. It was developed in Germany by Fiebing Hörtechnik GmbH.
The collaboration between Advanced Bionics and Phonak delivers unique innovation, providing unrivaled hearing performance to an expanding customer universe.
As soon as a product is approved, Advanced Bionics offers selected wearers a chance to test it. Christian Hartmann is happy to take part and gets to try out the new Phonak EasyCall. This accessory wirelessly transmits the voice signals from a cell phone call to the sound processors.
Governance & compensation
Corporate governance
Transparency is one of the key elements of corporate governance, to which Sonova is committed.
Compensation
Sonova is all about people: the value and success of our company strongly depend on our employees. We therefore aim to attract and retain the best talent available in a highly competitive global employment market. As custodians of shareholders’ equity, we take very seriously our responsibility to uphold a transparent and sustainable approach to compensation.
Corporate social responsibility
At Sonova, our business targets are well aligned with our broader social goals: to help people hear the world while taking responsibility for our actions toward our employees, our business partners and our planet.
Advanced Bionics’ European Research Center (ERC) collaborates with over 30 universities and clinics. In Hanover, Stefan Fredelake (ERC) and Andreas Büchner (German Hearing Center/ENT clinic at Hanover Medical School) work closely together under clinic director, Thomas Lenarz.
Corporate governance
Transparency is one of the key elements of corporate governance, to which Sonova is committed.
Compensation
Sonova is all about people: the value and success of our company strongly depend on our employees. We therefore aim to attract and retain the best talent available in a highly competitive global employment market. As custodians of shareholders’ equity, we take very seriously our responsibility to uphold a transparent and sustainable approach to compensation.
Corporate social responsibility
At Sonova, our business targets are well aligned with our broader social goals: to help people hear the world while taking responsibility for our actions toward our employees, our business partners and our planet.
Advanced Bionics’ European Research Center (ERC) collaborates with over 30 universities and clinics. In Hanover, Stefan Fredelake (ERC) and Andreas Büchner (German Hearing Center/ENT clinic at Hanover Medical School) work closely together under clinic director, Thomas Lenarz.
Hear the World Foundation
Imagine a world in which everyone gets the chance to enjoy good hearing. The Hear the World Foundation, a non-profit initiative founded by Sonova, contributes towards this ambitious vision by helping disadvantaged people with hearing loss.
Highlights & key figures
The Sonova Group achieved a solid performance in the 2015/16 financial year, reaching a record sales level despite the persistent strength of the Swiss franc. We also made excellent progress in delivering on our strategy of providing the industry’s broadest and most innovative offering of hearing care products, solutions, and services.
+5.8% in local currencies
+1.4% in local currencies
Payout ratio of 41%
Financial review
Sonova generated sales of CHF 2,071.9 million in 2015/16, an increase of 5.8% in local currencies or 1.8% in reported Swiss francs. Group EBITA increased by 1.4% in local currencies, but declined by 5.5% in reported Swiss francs to CHF 430.6 million, corresponding to a margin of 20.8%.