Knowles Corporation (KN): History, Ownership, Mission, How It Works & Makes Money

Ever wondered about the company behind the technology that powers the sound in your devices? specializes in micro-acoustic microphones, audio solutions, and high-performance capacitors, serving markets from medtech to consumer electronics. Want to understand how this global supplier has evolved over 75 years to become a key player in the audio and tech industries, achieving a 21% increase in full-year revenue reaching $553.5 million in 2024? Keep reading to discover 's journey, its operational structure, and how it continues to innovate in the world of audio and component technology.

Knowles Corporation (KN) History

Knowles Corporation Founding Timeline

Year established

The company was initially established in 1954.

Original location

The company's original location was in Itasca, Illinois.

Founding team members

The founding team members included Hugh Knowles, an engineer, who started the company.

Initial capital/funding

Details regarding the initial capital and funding are not widely or readily available in the provided search results.

Knowles Corporation Evolution Milestones

Knowles Corporation Transformative Moments

• Strategic Shift to Micro-Acoustic, Audio Processing, and Precision Devices: Over the years, the company has strategically pivoted to focus on micro-acoustic solutions, audio processing, and precision devices, enhancing its market position.

• Expansion into Mobile and IoT Markets: Knowles expanded its reach into the mobile and IoT (Internet of Things) markets, driven by the increasing demand for high-quality audio solutions in smartphones and connected devices.

• Focus on Innovation and R&D: The company has consistently invested in research and development to create advanced audio solutions, driving innovation in areas such as noise cancellation and voice recognition.

• Acquisitions and Partnerships: Strategic acquisitions, such as Audience, Inc., have allowed Knowles to enhance its technology portfolio and expand its market reach.

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Knowles Corporation (KN) Ownership Structure

Knowles Corporation operates as a public company, meaning its shares are traded on the open market, and ownership is distributed among various shareholders.

Knowles Corporation's Current Status

Knowles Corporation is a publicly traded company. It is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol KN. As a public entity, it is subject to regulatory oversight by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is required to file regular financial reports, ensuring transparency for investors and the public.

Knowles Corporation's Ownership Breakdown

The ownership of Knowles Corporation is distributed among institutional investors, mutual funds, individual shareholders, and company insiders. Here's a general overview of the ownership structure based on the latest available data:

Knowles Corporation's Leadership

The leadership team at Knowles Corporation is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the company and overseeing its operations. As of April 2025, key members of the leadership team include:

• President and Chief Executive Officer: Jeffrey S. Niew
• Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary: Lawrence P. Willer
• Senior Vice President & CFO: John S. Anderson

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Knowles Corporation (KN) Mission and Values

Knowles Corporation focuses on delivering innovative solutions and audio products. The company's core values emphasize customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, and ethical conduct.

Knowles Corporation's Core Purpose

Official mission statement

Knowles Corporation's mission statement is: 'To deliver innovative solutions that optimize the way people connect with the world.'

• Focuses on innovation in their solutions.
• Aims to improve global connectivity.
• Strives to enhance user experience.

Vision statement

While a specific, distinct vision statement is not explicitly available, Knowles' strategic direction and corporate communications suggest a vision centered around:

• Leading the market in audio solutions and advanced micro-acoustic technologies.
• Creating value for customers through innovative and reliable products.
• Expanding their global presence and impact in the communication and technology sectors.

Company slogan/tagline

Knowles Corporation does not have a prominently advertised official slogan or tagline. However, considering their focus, a fitting unofficial tagline might be:

• 'Connecting the World Through Sound.'
• 'Innovating Audio, Enhancing Communication.'

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Knowles Corporation (KN) How It Works

Knowles Corporation operates by designing and manufacturing micro-acoustic, audio processing, and precision device solutions, catering to the mobile communications, consumer electronics, medtech, defense, electric vehicle, and industrial markets.

Knowles' Product/Service Portfolio

Knowles' Operational Framework

Knowles' operational framework is built around:

• Design and Innovation: Focusing on research and development to create advanced micro-acoustic and audio processing solutions.
• Manufacturing: Operating facilities that produce components and solutions, leveraging both in-house capabilities and strategic outsourcing.
• Supply Chain Management: Managing a global supply chain to ensure timely delivery of materials and components.
• Sales and Marketing: Engaging with customers through a direct sales force and distribution partners to promote and sell products.
• Customer Support: Providing technical support and application engineering to assist customers in integrating Knowles' solutions into their products.

Knowles' Strategic Advantages

Knowles maintains its competitive edge through several key strategies:

• Technological Leadership: Continual investment in R&D to stay ahead in micro-acoustic and audio processing technology.
• Diverse Market Presence: Serving multiple markets reduces dependence on any single industry.
• Strong Customer Relationships: Collaborating closely with key customers to develop customized solutions.
• Intellectual Property: Protecting innovations through patents and proprietary designs.

To gain more insights into the company's guiding principles, explore the Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Knowles Corporation (KN).

Knowles Corporation (KN) How It Makes Money

Knowles Corporation primarily generates revenue through the design and manufacture of micro-acoustic microphones and balanced armature speakers, serving the mobile communications, hearing health, medtech, and specialty audio markets.

Knowles Corporation's Revenue Breakdown

The revenue streams are divided into two main categories: Intelligent Audio and Precision Devices.

Knowles Corporation's Business Economics

Knowles operates within the highly competitive and technologically intensive audio and medtech industries. The company's business economics are influenced by several key factors:

• Pricing Strategies: Knowles employs a combination of value-based and competitive pricing strategies. For high-performance microphones and audio solutions, pricing is often determined by the value delivered to the customer in terms of improved device performance and user experience. In more commoditized markets, competitive pricing is essential to maintain market share.
• Economic Fundamentals: The demand for Knowles' products is closely tied to the global demand for smartphones, wearables, hearing aids, and other electronic devices. Economic downturns can negatively impact consumer spending and, consequently, demand for these devices. Conversely, periods of economic growth typically lead to increased demand.
• Cost Structure: Knowles manages its cost structure through efficient supply chain management, lean manufacturing practices, and continuous improvement initiatives. A significant portion of its costs are related to research and development, as the company invests heavily in developing new technologies and products.
• Economies of Scale: Production volumes play a crucial role in Knowles' profitability. Higher volumes enable the company to achieve economies of scale, reducing per-unit costs and improving margins.

Knowles Corporation's Financial Performance

Knowles' financial performance can be assessed through the following key metrics:

• Revenue Growth: Monitoring the growth rate of both the Intelligent Audio and Precision Devices segments is crucial. Growth in the Intelligent Audio segment, driven by demand for advanced audio solutions in smartphones and other devices, is particularly important.
• Gross Margin: The gross margin reflects Knowles' ability to efficiently manage its cost of goods sold. Improvements in gross margin can indicate successful cost reduction efforts or a shift towards higher-value products. In 2024, Knowles reported a gross profit of $308.4 million, which translates to a gross margin of approximately 38.6%.
• Operating Expenses: Analyzing operating expenses, including R&D and SG&A, provides insights into Knowles' investments in future growth and its operational efficiency.
• Net Income and Earnings per Share (EPS): Net income and EPS are key indicators of overall profitability. Positive trends in these metrics demonstrate Knowles' ability to generate sustainable profits. For the year 2024, Knowles reported a net loss of $7.4 million, or $-0.08 per share.
• Cash Flow: Strong cash flow from operations is essential for funding R&D, capital expenditures, and potential acquisitions.

For a deeper dive into the company's financial health, check out this analysis: Breaking Down Knowles Corporation (KN) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors

Knowles Corporation (KN) Market Position & Future Outlook

As of April 2025, Knowles Corporation stands as a key player in the audio and precision devices market, focusing on delivering advanced solutions for the communication, consumer electronics, and medtech industries. The company's future outlook is shaped by its ability to innovate in high-value applications and adapt to the evolving needs of its diverse customer base.

Competitive Landscape

Opportunities & Challenges

Industry Position

Knowles Corporation holds a significant position within the audio and precision devices industry, characterized by:

• A focus on innovation, particularly in the development of advanced audio solutions and precision components.
• A diversified customer base spanning the communication, consumer electronics, and medtech sectors, reducing reliance on any single market.
• A strong emphasis on high-performance, high-value applications, allowing Knowles to differentiate itself from competitors.

Readers can gain further insights into the company's financial stability and performance by exploring: Breaking Down Knowles Corporation (KN) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors.