Early Life
Hans-Ueli Rihs, born on January 3, 1944, in Zurich, Switzerland, is a key figure in the hearing care industry. His father, Ernst Rihs, acquired a majority shareholding in AG für Elektroakustik in 1965, later renaming it Phonak AG. Hans-Ueli, along with his brother Andy, joined the family business, contributing to its growth and success.
Rise to Success
Hans-Ueli Rihs, along with his brother and Beda Diethelm, played a crucial role in expanding Phonak, later Sonova, into a global leader in hearing care. They transformed the company into the world's largest hearing aid manufacturer. The company went public in 1994. Hans-Ueli Rihs remains a substantial shareholder of Sonova. He also owns Swiss Casinos AG and the BSC Young Boys soccer team.
Key Business Strategies
The Rihs family, along with Beda Diethelm, focused on innovation and strategic acquisitions, such as the 2016 acquisition of AudioNova. Sonova's success is tied to its diverse brand portfolio, including Phonak, Unitron, and Advanced Bionics, and its commitment to research and development in hearing technology.
Philanthropy
Hans-Ueli Rihs, through the Sonova Group, supports the Hear the World Foundation, which helps children with hearing loss in low- and middle-income countries, providing funding, technology, and expertise.
