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Harman International Industries

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American audio, connected-technology, automotive, and professional-solutions company operating as an independent subsidiary of Samsung Electronics.

Last updated October 24, 2026

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Overview

Harman International Industries, commonly known as Harman, is an American technology company whose businesses span consumer audio, professional audio, automotive systems, connected technologies, and lighting. The company traces its origins to Harman Kardon, founded in 1953 by engineers Sidney Harman and Bernard Kardon after their work at public-address-equipment manufacturer Bogen. The founders initially focused on high-fidelity audio equipment, helping establish a business that later became a broad portfolio of audio and technology brands. Harman’s development was shaped by acquisitions and changes in ownership. Sidney Harman bought out Bernard Kardon in 1956 and expanded Harman Kardon. During the 1970s, Harman entered the administration of President Jimmy Carter as United States Deputy Secretary of Commerce and sold the company to Beatrice Foods to avoid a conflict of interest. After leaving government in 1978, he created Harman International Industries and reacquired several businesses that had previously been sold to Beatrice. The company then pursued an acquisition-led growth strategy across consumer and professional audio. Harman became a public company in 1986 through a New York Stock Exchange offering. The proceeds supported purchases including Soundcraft, DOD Electronics, Infinity, Epicure, Allen & Heath, dbx, Studer, Lexicon, AKG, BSS, Orban, Quested, and Turbosound. Later additions expanded the portfolio into premium home audio, control systems, lighting, software, and automotive technology. Madrigal Audio Laboratories brought brands such as Mark Levinson and Revel into the group. Harman acquired Martin Professional in 2013, adding professional lighting, and AMX in 2014, strengthening its control and automation capabilities. The company broadened its automotive business in 2015 by acquiring Bang & Olufsen’s automotive division, while its purchases of Symphony Teleca and Redbend added software engineering, cloud, mobility, analytics, connected-device management, and over-the-air update capabilities. The 2016 acquisition of TowerSec extended the company’s automotive cybersecurity capabilities. These moves reflected Harman’s shift from being primarily an audio-equipment group toward a technology supplier for connected vehicles and connected environments. Samsung Electronics agreed to acquire Harman in November 2016 for $8 billion in cash. Harman shareholders approved the transaction in February 2017, and the deal closed on March 10, 2017. Harman has since operated as an independent subsidiary of Samsung while retaining its own brand portfolio and business identity. Its brands include JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG, Mark Levinson, Revel, Lexicon, Crown, Soundcraft, Studer, BSS Audio, AMX, Martin, Arcam, and others. The company serves consumers, recording and live-production professionals, businesses, automakers, and vehicle occupants. In 2025, Harman agreed to acquire Masimo’s consumer-audio business, subject to the applicable transaction process and approvals. The announced portfolio included Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, Classé, HEOS, and Boston Acoustics. The proposed transaction would further increase Harman’s position in premium and multi-brand home audio. Harman’s present identity therefore combines established audio marques with automotive electronics, software, professional systems, and connected-device platforms.

History

Harman’s history begins with Harman Kardon, established in 1953 by Sidney Harman and Bernard Kardon. Both founders were engineers who had worked at Bogen, a manufacturer of public-address equipment. Their early products addressed the emerging market for high-fidelity home audio. Harman acquired Kardon’s interest in 1956 and continued developing the Harman Kardon business. During the 1960s, the company expanded beyond its original product line and acquired audio businesses including JBL. In the 1970s, Sidney Harman became United States Deputy Secretary of Commerce in the Carter administration. To avoid a conflict between public office and private ownership, he sold the company to Beatrice Foods. Beatrice subsequently disposed of various parts of the business, including the original Harman Kardon division. After leaving government in 1978, Harman formed Harman International Industries and began reacquiring businesses connected with his former company. The reorganized group pursued broad expansion during the 1980s. It went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 1986, using capital from the offering to purchase consumer and professional audio companies. Among the acquisitions were Soundcraft, DOD Electronics, Infinity, Epicure, Allen & Heath, dbx, Studer, Lexicon, AKG, BSS, Orban, Quested, and Turbosound. The group continued adding specialist brands and capabilities in subsequent decades. In 2003 it acquired Madrigal Audio Laboratories, bringing Mark Levinson and Revel into its portfolio. Harman’s professional-audio presence included microphones, loudspeakers, amplifiers, mixing consoles, signal processing, and installed-sound technologies. The acquisition of MWM Acoustics in 2011 added further audio engineering capabilities. Martin Professional, acquired in 2013, extended the business into professional lighting, while AMX, acquired in 2014, strengthened control, automation, and audiovisual integration. Harman also expanded its automotive and software activities. In 2015 it acquired Bang & Olufsen’s automotive division, separate from Bang & Olufsen’s consumer-electronics business. The same year, Harman acquired Symphony Teleca and Redbend. These transactions added software development, cloud and mobility services, analytics, connected-device management, and over-the-air software and firmware updating. In 2016, TowerSec added automotive cybersecurity technology, reinforcing Harman’s move toward connected-vehicle systems rather than audio hardware alone. Ownership changed again in 2017. Samsung Electronics announced an $8 billion cash acquisition agreement in November 2016. Harman shareholders approved it in February 2017, and completion followed on March 10, 2017. Harman became an independent subsidiary of Samsung, with its portfolio of consumer, professional, automotive, and connected-technology businesses continuing under established brand names. Leadership also changed during this period. Dinesh Paliwal joined as president and chief executive officer in 2007 and succeeded Sidney Harman as chairman in 2008. Michael Mauser succeeded Paliwal as chairman in 2020 and serves as president and chief executive officer. In 2025, Harman agreed to acquire Masimo’s consumer-audio business, a transaction that would add several established premium home-audio brands. Harman also announced an agreement to acquire ZF Group’s advanced-driver-assistance business, subject to regulatory approval. These developments illustrate the company’s continuing expansion from traditional audio into software-defined mobility and broader connected technologies.

  • 2025

    Masimo consumer-audio transaction announced

    [1]

    Harman agrees to acquire Masimo’s consumer-audio business and its associated portfolio of brands.

  • 2025

    ZF ADAS transaction announced

    [1]

    Harman agrees to acquire ZF’s advanced-driver-assistance business for €1.5 billion, pending regulatory approval.

  • 2025

    Proposed expansion into premium consumer audio and ADAS

    [1]

    Harman announces proposed acquisitions involving Masimo’s consumer-audio assets and ZF’s advanced driver-assistance systems business.

  • 2020

    Michael Mauser succeeds Dinesh Paliwal

    [1]

    Michael Mauser succeeds Dinesh Paliwal as chairman.

  • 2017

    Samsung acquisition closes

    [1]

    Samsung Electronics completes its $8 billion cash acquisition of Harman, which becomes an independent Samsung subsidiary.

  • 2016

    TowerSec is acquired

    [1]

    The automotive-cybersecurity acquisition strengthens Harman’s connected-vehicle technology capabilities.

  • 2015

    Automotive and software expansion

    [1]

    Harman acquires Bang & Olufsen’s automotive division, Symphony Teleca, and Redbend.

  • 2014

    AMX is acquired

    [1]

    The transaction expands Harman’s installed audio-visual, automation, and control-system capabilities.

  • 2013

    Martin Professional is acquired

    [1]

    Harman enters the professional-lighting market through the acquisition of Martin Professional.

  • 2003

    Madrigal Audio Laboratories is acquired

    [1]

    The acquisition adds businesses and brands including Mark Levinson and Revel.

Products and positioning

A multi-brand technology group combining premium and mainstream audio with professional sound, automotive systems, connected software, control technologies, and professional lighting.

  • Consumer and professional audio

    JBL

    JBL is one of Harman’s principal audio brands, offering loudspeakers, headphones, portable speakers, soundbars, and professional sound-reinforcement equipment. Its portfolio spans mass-market consumer products and systems used in live performance, installed audio, cinema, and commercial venues. JBL is one of Harman’s best-known audio brands, covering portable Bluetooth speakers, headphones, home audio, loudspeakers, amplifiers, and professional sound-reinforcement equipment. Its portfolio ranges from mass-market personal audio to systems used in venues and live events.

  • Home and personal audio · 1953

    Harman Kardon

    Harman Kardon is the founding audio brand associated with Harman’s origins. It produces home audio components, wireless speakers, soundbars, receivers, and related products positioned around design-conscious premium sound reproduction.

  • Headphones, microphones, and professional audio

    AKG

    AKG supplies headphones, studio microphones, wireless systems, and related audio equipment for consumers, musicians, broadcasters, and recording professionals. The brand is associated with recording, broadcast, performance, and personal listening applications. AKG contributes headphones, studio microphones, stage microphones, and professional monitoring products. The brand is associated with recording, broadcast, performance, and personal listening applications.

  • Premium audio

    Mark Levinson and Revel

    Mark Levinson and Revel represent Harman’s premium and high-end audio activities. Their products include components and loudspeakers designed for demanding home-audio and luxury automotive applications.

  • Premium loudspeakers

    Revel

    Revel develops premium loudspeakers for home audio and automotive applications. The brand is part of Harman’s high-end consumer-audio portfolio alongside other specialist marques.

  • Professional amplification

    Crown

    Crown produces professional power amplifiers and related systems used in touring, installed sound, cinema, worship, entertainment, and commercial audio applications.

  • Mixing and broadcast audio

    Soundcraft and Studer

    Soundcraft and Studer provide mixing consoles and professional audio systems for live sound, recording, broadcast, and production environments. They form part of Harman’s specialist professional-audio portfolio.

  • Audiovisual control and automation

    AMX

    AMX provides control, automation, signal management, and installed audio-visual technologies for corporate, education, hospitality, government, and other commercial environments.

  • Professional lighting

    Martin

    Martin supplies professional lighting and related systems for concerts, touring productions, entertainment venues, and architectural applications. The brand entered Harman’s portfolio through the acquisition of Martin Professional.

  • Automotive technology

    Automotive systems

    Harman’s automotive activities include embedded audio, infotainment, connected-car software, cybersecurity, and related vehicle technologies. The business has used Harman and partner-brand technologies in automotive programs rather than functioning solely as a consumer-facing product line.

Controversies

  • 2020

    Former TowerSec shareholder sues Harman over acquisition payments

    A former TowerSec shareholder filed a lawsuit against Harman International Industries in an Israeli court. The plaintiff alleged that Harman breached the acquisition agreement by failing to pay the second installment. The shareholder sought sales reports and payment of the outstanding amount. The dispute concerns Harman's acquisition of TowerSec and the payment terms set out in the agreement.

    Source

Read more

Brand decisions

  • 2025

    Agreement to acquire Masimo consumer-audio businessM&A

    Background

    Masimo announced the sale of its consumer-audio business, creating an opportunity for Harman to add established premium and home-audio brands.

    Action taken

    Harman agreed to acquire the business, including Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, Classé, HEOS, and Boston Acoustics, subject to completion conditions.

    Aftermath

    The announced transaction would broaden Harman’s premium home-audio portfolio; the supplied reference does not specify completion details.

    Source

  • 2025

    Agreement to acquire ZF advanced-driver-assistance businessM&A

    Background

    Harman sought to deepen its software-defined mobility and vehicle-technology capabilities beyond infotainment and in-car audio. Harman sought to extend its automotive technology activities into advanced driver-assistance systems and associated vehicle computing technologies. Harman sought to deepen its software-defined mobility and vehicle-technology capabilities beyond infotainment and in-car audio, extending its automotive technology activities into advanced driver-assistance systems and associated vehicle computing technologies.

    Action taken

    Harman agreed to acquire ZF Group’s ADAS business, including compute platforms, smart-camera and radar technologies, and approximately 3,750 employees.

    Aftermath

    The transaction was expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approval, according to the supplied reference.

    Purchase price. €1.5 billion (December 2025 announcement)

    Source

  • 2016

    Agreement to be acquired by Samsung ElectronicsM&A

    Background

    Harman was pursuing connected-vehicle, audio, and software growth while Samsung sought to expand its automotive and connected-technology activities.

    Action taken

    Samsung agreed to acquire Harman for $8 billion in cash. Shareholders approved the transaction in February 2017, and completion followed in March 2017.

    Aftermath

    Harman became an independent subsidiary of Samsung Electronics and continued operating its multi-brand businesses.

    Agreed transaction value. $8 billion (November 2016 announcement)

    Source

  • 2016

    Agreement to sell Harman to SamsungM&A

    Background

    Harman was operating across audio, automotive, software, and connected technologies while Samsung was expanding its position in automotive electronics and related technologies.

    Action taken

    Samsung Electronics agreed to acquire Harman in an all-cash transaction.

    Aftermath

    Shareholders approved the transaction in February 2017, and the acquisition closed in March 2017. Harman became an independent Samsung subsidiary.

    announced transaction value. $8 billion (November 2016 announcement)

    Source

  • 2015

    Acquisition of Bang & Olufsen automotive divisionM&A

    Background

    Harman sought to expand its automotive audio and technology business while Bang & Olufsen separated its automotive operation from its consumer-electronics activities.

    Action taken

    Harman acquired the automotive division and related technology licensing rights for €145 million, reported as approximately US$156 million at the time.

    Aftermath

    The transaction strengthened Harman’s automotive premium-audio portfolio without including Bang & Olufsen’s consumer-electronics business.

    Purchase price. €145 million (March 2015)

    Source

  • 2015

    Shift toward software and connected technologiesStrategy

    Background

    Harman identified cloud services, mobility, analytics, connected devices, and software management as increasingly important to its markets.

    Action taken

    The company acquired Symphony Teleca and Redbend and expanded its connected-device and over-the-air update capabilities.

    Aftermath

    Harman’s business became broader than conventional audio hardware, particularly in automotive and connected-device applications.

    Source

  • 2013

    Expansion into professional lightingStrategy

    Background

    Harman sought to broaden its professional entertainment and event-technology activities beyond audio.

    Action taken

    Harman acquired Martin Professional.

    Aftermath

    Professional lighting became an additional category within Harman’s portfolio.

    Source

  • 2007

    Proposed KKR and Goldman Sachs take-private transactionM&A

    Background

    Harman International agreed to a proposed buyout intended to remove the company from the New York Stock Exchange.

    Action taken

    KKR and Goldman Sachs Alternatives proposed taking Harman private and delisting it from the New York Stock Exchange. The transaction was not completed after KKR announced that it would withdraw from the deal in September 2007.

    Aftermath

    Harman remained publicly traded, and Dinesh Paliwal became president and chief executive officer during the period of the proposed transaction.

    Source

  • 2007

    Private-equity buyout proposalM&A

    Background

    KKR and Goldman Sachs Alternatives proposed taking Harman private and delisting it from the New York Stock Exchange.

    Action taken

    The proposed buyout was pursued during 2007, but KKR later withdrew from the transaction.

    Aftermath

    Harman remained publicly traded, and Dinesh Paliwal became president and chief executive officer during the period of the proposed transaction.

    Source

Recent events

  • Unconfirmed

    Reported

    HARMAN agrees to acquire ZF's ADAS business for about $1.76 billion[4]

    HARMAN, a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, announced a definitive agreement to acquire ZF Group's advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) business, which includes automotive computing solutions, smart cameras, radar and ADAS software functions, in a deal valued at approximately $1.76 billion. About 3,750 ZF employees in Europe, the Americas and Asia are expected to transfer to HARMAN upon completion, which is expected in the second half of 2026 subject to regulatory approvals.

  • Reported

    Harman launches in-vehicle acoustic innovations[5]

    Harman introduced Ready Together and Software Enabled Branded Audio, two acoustic innovations described as ready for in-vehicle integration.

  • Reported

    HARMAN launches Savari MECWAVE[6]

    HARMAN announced the launch of HARMAN Savari MECWAVE, a multi-access edge computing software platform for automotive manufacturers and mobile network operators.

  • Reported

    HARMAN announces acquisition of substantially all Savari assets[7]

    HARMAN announced the acquisition of substantially all of Savari’s assets. The article says Savari’s software and hardware technology will enhance HARMAN’s automotive capabilities and expand its strengths in related technology areas.

  • Reported

    Evertz completes acquisition of Studer assets[8]

    Evertz Technologies Limited announced that it had closed its previously announced acquisition of the Studer brand, technology and related assets from HARMAN International.

  • Reported

    Harman appoints Christian Sobottka to lead automotive division[9]

    Harman appointed Christian Sobottka as president of its automotive division. He was scheduled to take up the role on January 1, 2021.

  • Reported

    NBA and HARMAN announce marketing partnership in India[10]

    The NBA and HARMAN announced a multiyear marketing partnership in India, making HARMAN and its JBL brand the NBA’s official headphone, speaker, and audio partner in the country.

  • Reported

    HARMAN launches AccuAlertMe[11]

    HARMAN announced the launch of AccuAlertMe, an enterprise platform designed to help companies, employees and visitors manage COVID-19 risks when facilities reopen. The article says it had been rolled out in HARMAN's India offices.

  • Former TowerSec shareholder sues Harman over acquisition payments[3]

    A former TowerSec shareholder sued Harman in an Israeli court, alleging that Harman breached the acquisition agreement by failing to pay the second installment and seeking sales reports and payment.

  • Reported

    Genesis GV80 offers active road-noise cancellation[12]

    The Genesis GV80 SUV offers the Road-Noise Active Noise Control system, which uses Harman’s HaloSonic technology to cancel road and tyre noise. The technology was developed by Harman International.

Read more(12)

Sources14 sources

  1. 1Harman Internationalen.wikipedia.org
  2. 2Harman corporate websiteharman.com
  3. 3Former TowerSec shareholder sues Harman over acquisition paymentsauto.cnfol.com
  4. 4哈曼达成协议以约17.6亿美元收购采埃孚ADAS业务finance.sina.com.cn
  5. 5Harman推出车载音频创新产品autoevolution.com
  6. 6哈曼推出Savari MECWAVE平台finance.sina.com.cn
  7. 7HARMAN 宣布收购 Savari 几乎全部资产telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com
  8. 8Evertz完成对Studer资产的收购finanznachrichten.de
  9. 9Harman任命Christian Sobottka为汽车事业部总裁financialexpress.com
  10. 10NBA与HARMAN宣布在印度开展营销合作financialexpress.com
  11. 11HARMAN推出AccuAlertMeaninews.in
  12. 12Genesis GV80 配备主动道路噪声消除系统pocket-lint.com
  13. 13Flipkart将在印度推出Nokia品牌智能电视technuter.com
  14. 14亚马逊推出语音互操作倡议malaymail.com

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