Stäfa (Switzerland), 4 June 2014 – Sonova Holding AG, the world’s leading provider of hearing solutions, announces today the appointment of Martin Grieder to the position of Group Vice President Phonak, effective 1 August 2014. In this newly created role Mr. Grieder will oversee Phonak’s business worldwide, along with P&L responsibility. He will join Sonova’s Management Board and report directly to Lukas Braunschweiler, CEO of Sonova Holding AG.
To further successfully drive and grow the Phonak business globally, Sonova decided to create a new role, including P&L responsibility. Previously P&L was under CEO supervision. "We are very pleased Mr. Grieder has agreed to join Sonova. Drawing on his impressive track record in the FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) sector, he will be extremely valuable in helping us to achieve our business goals and provide innovative perspectives to Sonova's sustainable growth strategy," says Lukas Braunschweiler, CEO of Sonova Holding AG. At the same time, Maarten Barmentlo, currently Group Vice President Marketing, will take over responsibility for Sonova's business-to-consumer marketing activities, including e-business and demand generation.
Mr. Grieder (born in 1965, Swiss and British citizen) joins Sonova from Nestlé, where he was most recently in charge of commercializing BabyNes, the first super premium nutrition system for infants and toddlers worldwide. He joined Nestlé in 1992 and brings over 20 years of experience in senior management roles within the company. His diversified cross functional work experience in 18 countries worldwide ranges from leading the Nespresso Professional Division globally with annual sales of CHF 200 million in 30+ countries to managing the entire operations of Nestlé Nespresso North America. Further senior roles at Nestlé include Vice President, Head of Finance for the Americas and Head Nestlé Group Audit as well as R&D Head for Food & Beverage systems solutions for the entire Nestlé Group. Mr. Grieder received a Master of Business Administration from IMD-Switzerland and has a Bachelor in business and economics from the University of applied science in Basel.
"The unique combination of Sonova's rich and innovative R&D pipeline, strongly aligned to consumer needs make it really exciting for me to join the company," says Mr. Grieder. "The hearing care industry has enormous growth potential and I am looking forward to become part of a great team that has one common goal: allowing people with hearing loss to live better lives."
Disclaimer
This Media Release contains forward-looking statements, which offer no guarantee with regard to future performance. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance at the time the statements are made. They are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not confined to, future global economic conditions, exchange rates, legal provisions, market conditions, activities by competitors and other factors outside Sonova’s control. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those forecasted or expected. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and Sonova undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
About Sonova
Sonova Holding AG, headquartered in Staefa, Switzerland, is the leading manufacturer of innovative hearing care solutions. The Group operates through its core business brands Phonak, Unitron, Advanced Bionics and Connect Hearing. Sonova offers its customers one of the most comprehensive product portfolios in the industry – from hearing instruments to cochlear implants to wireless communication solutions. Founded in 1947, the Group is currently present in over 90 countries across the globe and has a workforce of over 9,000 dedicated employees. Sonova generated sales of CHF 2.0 billion in the financial year 2013/14 and a net profit of CHF 347 million. By supporting the Hear the World Foundation, Sonova pursues its vision of a world where everyone enjoys the delight of hearing and therefore lives a life without limitations.
For more information please visit www.sonova.com and www.hear-the-world.com.
Sonova shares (ticker symbol:SOON, Security no: 1254978, ISIN: CH1012549785) have been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 1994. The securities of Sonova have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or under the applicable securities laws of any state of the United States of America, and may not be offered or sold in the United States of America except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements under the U.S. Securities Act and in compliance with applicable state securities laws, or outside the United States of America to non-U.S. Persons in reliance on Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act.
