Early Life
Hans-Ueli Rihs, born on January 3, 1944, in Zurich, Switzerland, comes from a family with deep roots in the hearing care industry. His father, Ernst Rihs, purchased AG für Elektroakustik in 1965, later renaming it Phonak AG in 1977. Hans-Ueli, along with his brother Andy, joined the family business, contributing to its growth and success. The family's base of operations is in Stäfa, Switzerland, where Sonova's headquarters are located.
Rise to Success
Hans-Ueli, along with his brother Andy and Beda Diethelm, played a crucial role in transforming his father's company, Phonak, into Sonova Holding AG, a global leader in the hearing aid market. The company, which was floated on the SWX Swiss Exchange in 1994, specializes in hearing care solutions. Sonova's expansion included the acquisition of Advanced Bionics Corporation, a developer and manufacturer of cochlear implants.
Key Business Strategies
The success of Sonova can be attributed to several key strategies. The company focuses on the design, development, manufacturing, and marketing of advanced hearing care solutions, including hearing aids, cochlear implants, and wireless communication devices. Sonova operates through core brands like Phonak and Unitron. The company holds a significant share of the global hearing aid market. Sonova's commitment to research and development, along with strategic acquisitions, has helped maintain a competitive edge.
Philanthropy
While specific amounts of Hans-Ueli Rihs' personal philanthropy are not readily available, Sonova, the company he played a key role in building, supports the Hear the World Foundation, which is committed to creating a world where everyone can enjoy the delight of hearing.