Updated:
Knowles Corporation
Knowles Corporation, a publicly traded entity on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker KN, manufactures specialty components for demanding...
Knowles Corporation
Knowles Corporation, a publicly traded entity on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker KN, manufactures specialty components for demanding applications. The company was formed through the 2014 spinoff of Knowles from Dover Corporation. Its product lines include balanced armature speakers, micro-acoustic microphones, high-Q ceramic core inductors, and RF filtering products. The company's strategy focuses on four end markets: medtech (hearing aids, surgical instruments), aerospace and defense (military radios, radar systems), industrial (factory automation), and electrification (power management for EVs and grid infrastructure). Knowles operates across North America, Asia, and Europe with design and manufacturing facilities in Itasca, Illinois; Taipei, Taiwan; and Vallejo, California. The firm's customers include medical device OEMs, defense contractors, and industrial equipment manufacturers. Known portfolio positions are not disclosed as Knowles is a component supplier, but recent product launches target mission-critical RF applications (per Knowles press releases, 2024). Knowles employs over 4,000 people globally (per public filings, 2024). The company operates through two reporting segments: Audio and Precision Devices. The Audio segment supplies microphones and speakers for smartphones, hearing aids, and headsets; the Precision Devices segment produces capacitors and inductors for defense and medical systems. In February 2025, Knowles announced a new line of high-performance inductors for mission-critical RF applications (per Knowles press release, February 2025). No adjacent philanthropic or investment vehicles are publicly attributed. Unlike the asset-management or family-office structures typical of this database, Knowles is a pure-play manufacturing corporation. Its capital allocation — directed by a board and management team — prioritizes R&D investment, organic growth, and strategic acquisitions within the components space. The firm does not manage outside capital or function as an investment vehicle for a single family.
General information
Firm type
other
Year founded
—
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Itasca
Corporate office
Itasca, IL, United States
Additional offices
Taipei, Taiwan · New York, NY, United States · Vallejo, CA, United States
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Is Knowles Corporation a family office or investment vehicle?
No. Knowles Corporation is a publicly traded manufacturing company listed on the NYSE (ticker: KN). It designs and produces high-performance electronic components such as microphones, speakers, capacitors, and RF filters for medtech, defense, industrial, and electrification markets. It does not manage outside capital or function as a family office.
Who leads Knowles Corporation?
Knowles Corporation is led by a CEO and board of directors elected by public shareholders. As of the latest public filings, Daniel J. Fidler serves as a director and the company's executive team includes the CEO and division heads. Leadership is disclosed in the firm's SEC filings.
What are Knowles's primary end markets?
Knowles focuses on four end markets: medtech (hearing aids, surgical instruments, diagnostic devices), aerospace and defense (radar, military radios, avionics), industrial (factory automation, robotics), and electrification (power management for EVs and grid infrastructure). These markets demand high reliability and performance.
Does Knowles operate globally?
Yes. Knowles has facilities in Itasca, Illinois (headquarters); Taipei, Taiwan; Vallejo, California; and New York, among other locations. Its supply chain and customer base span North America, Europe, and Asia.
How does Knowles allocate capital?
Knowles allocates capital toward R&D, organic growth projects, and selective acquisitions. As a public company, its capital allocation is overseen by a board of directors and disclosed in quarterly and annual reports. The firm does not make outside investments in the style of a family office.
Why is Knowles Corporation included in a family office database?
This entry may appear due to its historical connection to Dover Corporation or because the firm's structure was misunderstood. Knowles is a component manufacturer, not an investment vehicle. It is included here for completeness but should not be considered a family office or asset manager.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
Need institutional-grade insight on family offices?
Altss delivers:
Prefer a guided tour?
We’ll walk you through: