Knowles Corporation

Overview

Knowles Corporation is a global manufacturer of specialty electronic components. The company designs parts that perform unique functions for advanced technologies, with an emphasis on reliability, custom engineering, and scalable manufacturing.

Primary products

• High-performance capacitors
• RF filters
• Advanced microphones
• Balanced armature (BA) speakers

Markets served

• Medtech
• Defense
• Industrial
• Electrification and energy

Business segments

• Precision Devices (PD)

  • Focus: Custom design and delivery of high-performance capacitors and RF solutions.
  • End markets: Defense, industrial, medtech, electrification/energy.

• MedTech & Specialty Audio (MSA)

  • Focus: Balanced armature speakers and microphones for hearing health and specialty audio applications.
  • End markets: Medtech and industrial.

Global footprint and facilities

• Headquarters: Itasca, Illinois, USA
• Employees: Approximately 5,200
• Facilities across 11 countries, covering manufacturing, sales, and R&D

Key facilities and ownership status (sample):

• Suzhou, China — Leased (PD, MSA)
• Cebu, Philippines — Owned (MSA)
• Liberty, South Carolina — Owned (PD)
• Mexicali, Mexico — Leased (PD)
• Cazenovia, New York — Owned (PD)
• Penang, Malaysia — Owned (MSA)
• Itasca, Illinois — Owned (PD, MSA)

After selling the Consumer MEMS Microphones business in 2024, Knowles leases space in the China and Malaysia facilities to the buyer; the reported square footage reflects the space occupied by Knowles.

Revenue mix and customers (2025)

• Segment revenue mix: PD ≈ 55% of consolidated revenues; MSA ≈ 45%
• Top customers (10%+ of total 2025 revenues):
  • WS Audiology A/S: 11% of consolidated revenues in 2025
  • TTI, Inc.: 10% of consolidated revenues in 2025

Customer concentration details:

• MSA: Top five customers represented about 76% of MSA revenues in 2025; WS Audiology accounted for about 24% of MSA revenues (11% of consolidated revenues).
• PD: Distributor TTI, Inc. accounted for about 19% of PD revenues in 2025 (10% of consolidated revenues). No other single customer accounted for more than 5% of PD revenues in 2025.