5.2.2024 17:43:32 CET | Demant A/S |
Intern viden
Selskabsmeddelelse nr. 2024-02 5. februar 2024
Evaluering af strategiske muligheder for Communications
Demant meddeler i dag, at selskabet har besluttet at foretage en evaluering af de strategiske muligheder for Communications-forretningen, som udvikler premium audio- og videoløsninger til virksomheder under EPOS-brandet. Formålet med evalueringen er at undersøge, om en anden ejer vil være bedre i stand til at accelerere væksten og gøre det muligt for forretningen at realisere sit fulde potentiale.
Communications-forretningen har sine rødder i Sennheiser Communications, det tidligere joint venture mellem Demant og Sennheiser, som blev etableret i 2003. Efter en opsplitning af dette joint venture blev EPOS med virkning fra 1. januar 2020 etableret som en helejet, separat forretning i Demant-koncernen. Efter at have oplevet en betydelig stigning i efterspørgslen som følge af coronaviruspandemien er forretningen i de seneste par år blevet negativt påvirket af et svagt marked, hvilket har ført til manglende skala – særligt når det gælder global distribution.
Forretningen er imidlertid bygget på et meget stærkt fundament bestående af industriledende teknologi, en stærk produktportefølje, meget kompetente medarbejdere og et attraktivt brand, og den har dedikerede salgsteams og en veletableret global distribution. Derudover henvender forretningen sig til markeder, der er karakteriseret ved stærke strukturelle vækstdrivere. Efter at have gennemført betydelige omkostningsreducerende tiltag i det sidste halvandet år, blandt andet nedlukningen af Gaming-aktiviteterne, er forretningen nu på vej tilbage til lønsomhed.
“De sidste par år har været udfordrende for Communications-forretningen, da de markeder vi henvender os til ikke har udviklet sig, som vi forventede. Men med de initiativer, der allerede er implementeret, og takket være en prisværdig indsats fra vores medarbejdere i hårde tider, er forretningen nu i en styrkeposition med en robust og fokuseret organisation, førende premium teknologi, en stærk produktportefølje og et attraktivt brand. Så det er nu et godt tidspunkt at undersøge, om næste skridt for Communications realiseres bedre under andet ejerskab,” siger Søren Nielsen, koncernchef og adm. direktør i Demant.
Evalueringen af de strategiske muligheder forventes at være gennemført inden udgangen af H1 2024. Mens evalueringen pågår, forbliver vi fuldt ud dedikeret til at drive forretningen og betjene vores kunder og partnere som hidtil.
Der kan ikke gives sikkerhed for udfaldet af evalueringen, og vi kan på nuværende tidspunkt ikke vurdere, hvad en eventuel finansiel effekt vil være. Regnskabsmæssigt vil Communications blive indregnet som en del af vores fortsættende aktiviteter i koncernens årsrapport for 2023, men for 2024 og fremadrettet vil Communications blive indregnet som en del af ophørende aktiviteter.
Yderligere information om evalueringsprocessen vil blive offentliggjort i det omfang, det er nødvendigt. Koncernen forventer stadig at offentliggøre sin årsrapport for 2023 den 6. februar 2024, men højdepunkter fra rapporten vil blive offentliggjort i dag.
Yderligere information:
Søren Nielsen, koncernchef og adm. direktør
Phone +45 3917 7300
www.demant.com
Øvrige kontaktpersoner:
René Schneider, CFO
Mathias Holten Møller, Head of Investor Relations
Peter Pudselykke, Investor Relations Officer
Henrik Axel Lynge Buchter, Manager of External Communications
Kontakter
Henrik Axel Lynge Buchter, External Communication Manager, Corporate Communication & Sustainability, +45 2264 9982, heey@demant.com
Om Demant A/S
Demant is a world-leading hearing healthcare group that offers solutions and services to help people with hearing loss connect with the world around them. In every aspect, from hearing devices, hearing implants, diagnostics to audio and video solutions and hearing care all over the world, Demant is active and engaged. Our innovative technologies and know-how help improve people’s health and hear-ing. We create life-changing differences through hearing health.
Vedhæftninger
2024-02 Evaluering af strategiske muligheder for Communications.pdf
5.2.2024 17:43:32 CET | Demant A/S |
Inside information
Company announcement no 2024-02 5 February 2024
Review of strategic options for Communications
Today, Demant announces that it has decided to undertake a review of strategic options for its Communications business, which develops premium enterprise audio and video solutions for business professionals under the EPOS brand. The purpose of the review is to explore whether a different owner may be better positioned to accelerate growth and to allow the business to realise its full potential.
The Communications business has its roots in Sennheiser Communications, a former joint venture between Demant and Sennheiser established in 2003. Following a demerger of the joint venture, EPOS was established as a wholly-owned, separate business within the Demant Group with effect from 1 January 2020. After having seen a significant surge in demand driven by the coronavirus pandemic, the business has over the last couple of years been negatively impacted by weak market dynamics, leading to lack of scale, particularly in global distribution.
However, the business is built on a very strong foundation of industry-leading technology, a strong product portfolio, highly skilled employees and a compelling brand identity, and it has a dedicated sales team and global distribution in place. Also, the business addresses attractive markets underpinned by strong, structural growth drivers, and following significant cost reduction measures taken over the last 18 months, including the winding down of its Gaming activities, the business is now on a path back to profitability.
“The last couple of years have been challenging for our Communications business, as the markets that we address have not developed as we expected. However, with the initiatives already implemented, and thanks to a commendable effort in tough times by our employees, the business is now in a position of strength with a robust and focused organisation, leading premium technology, a strong product portfolio and a compelling brand. So now is a good time to explore whether the next step for Communications is better realised under different ownership,” says Søren Nielsen, President & CEO of Demant.
The review of strategic options is expected to be completed by the end of H1 2024. During the review, we remain fully committed to running the business and serving our customers and partners as usual.
There can be no assurance regarding the results or outcome of the review, and no financial impact, if any, can be estimated at this time. For accounting purposes, the Communications business will be recognised as part of our continuing operations in the Group’s Annual Report 2023, but for 2024 and going forward, it will be recognised as part of discontinued operations.
Further information regarding the progress of the review process will be shared as and when required. The Group still expects to publish its Annual Report 2023 on 6 February 2024, but highlights from the Report will be published today.
Further information:
Søren Nielsen, President & CEO
Phone +45 3917 7300
www.demant.com
Other contacts:
René Schneider, CFO
Mathias Holten Møller, Head of Investor Relations
Peter Pudselykke, Investor Relations Officer
Henrik Axel Lynge Buchter, Manager of External Communications
Contacts
Henrik Axel Lynge Buchter, External Communication Manager, Corporate Communication & Sustainability, +45 2264 9982, heey@demant.com
About Demant A/S
Demant is a world-leading hearing healthcare group that offers solutions and services to help people with hearing loss connect with the world around them. In every aspect, from hearing devices, hearing implants, diagnostics to audio and video solutions and hearing care all over the world, Demant is active and engaged. Our innovative technologies and know-how help improve people’s health and hear-ing. We create life-changing differences through hearing health.
Attachments
2024-02 Review of strategic options for Communications.pdf
