Consumer Electronics Veteran David Wood to Lead North American Operations
to Reinforce Long-Term Global Vision and Drive Aggressive Growth
NASHUA, N.H., May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- GN, parent company of GN Mobile
and GN Netcom, today announced they are combining their two headset
businesses to create the world's largest manufacturer of headsets for
hands-free communication. The new business will employ about 1,800 people
and expects revenues for 2006 of approx. DKK 2.7bn (US$450 million) in the
former GN Mobile and at least DKK 1.8bn (US$300 million) in the former GN
Netcom.
"Some years ago, we set out our vision for the future; one in which
everyone will be using wireless headsets whether they're in the office, at
home or on the move," said Hans Henrik Lund, president of the new headset
business. "Today's announcement is part of the changes we are implementing
in order to make our vision a reality."
As the leading innovators in the global headset industry, GN Netcom and
GN Mobile have developed and launched some of the most successful products
in the history of the wireless headset market, including the widely popular
Jabra mobile headsets and GN Netcom office headset solutions. Both brands
are distributed through 90,000 sales channels worldwide, including carriers
and system integrators as well as leading consumer electronics chains and
mobile phone specialists. Joining forces will enable the new company to
sustain high growth and innovation leadership.
Consumer electronics veteran David Wood will spearhead North American
operations as senior vice president and general manager of the newly
combined entity. In this capacity, he will leverage his 20-year consumer
electronics career and extensive experience in building awarding-winning
retail brands, including Bose(R) sound systems and stereo products.
"I am thrilled to be a part of GN during this extremely exciting time
in the company's evolution," said Wood. "We will work together with our
global team over the coming months to unite operations and reinforce our
industry leadership while continuing the company's proven track record of
design innovation and product excellence."
In 2005, GN Netcom and GN Mobile attained the No. 1 market position
with a global market share of 35 percent. The company manufactured 25
million headsets, amplifiers and other accessories, representing a 50
percent increase over 2004 manufacturing totals. The products were sold
under GN's Jabra and GN Netcom brands, as well as to global mobile phone
manufacturers under OEM contracts.
To date, GN Netcom and GN Mobile have successfully operated separate
sales, marketing and development efforts while sharing the same production
and other supply chain functions as well as corporate functions, including
human resources, finance and information technology. GN Netcom has focused
on selling solutions to professional users in offices and contact centers
while GN Mobile has concentrated on the mobile consumer market.
"Combining our two divisions will help us become an even more effective
organization. We will take advantage of our strong market presence, brands
and track record in innovation," said Lund. "It will also help us meet the
needs of our distributors and retailers that are increasingly demanding
single-point access to our headsets and other products."
GN launched the world's first Bluetooth(R) headset. Through a dedicated
effort, GN has taken only a few short years to become the leading
manufacturer of headsets.
About GN
GN, parent company of GN Mobile and GN Netcom, today announced they are
combining their two headset businesses to create the world's largest
manufacturer of headsets for hands-free communication. The new business
will employ about 1,800 people and expects revenues for 2006 of approx. DKK
2.7bn (US$450 million) in the former GN Mobile and at least DKK 1.8bn
(US$300 million) in the former GN Netcom.
For more information, see http://www.gn.com.
For product information, see http://www.gnnetcom.com and
http://www.jabra.com.
SOURCE GN Netcom
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Related links:
http://gnnetcom.com
http://www.gn.com http://www.jabra.com/
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/128300.html /
CONTACT:
Heidi Adams, Director of Marketing, GN
Netcom, GN Mobile, +1-760-533-0369, or hadams@jabra.com; or Jamey
Long of Berkman Communications, +1-619-813-2996, or
jamey@berkmanpr.com
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