Jabra (brand)
Danish brand of audio gear and videoconferencing systems.
Jabra is a Danish brand that makes audio gear and video conferencing systems. Owned by GN Audio—part of the Danish GN Group—the company designs, builds, and sells wireless, true wireless, and corded headphones for both everyday consumers and business users.
The company began in the United States in 1983 as Norcom Electronics Corporation of America, founded by inventor Woody Norris. It held several patents before being bought by GN Audio in September 2000. GN Group itself was founded in 1869 by C. F. Tietgen as the Great Northern Telegraph Company. Jabra’s manufacturing takes place in China.
In 2006, GN merged its Contact Center and Office headset operations under the Jabra name. A 2008 restructuring split Jabra into two divisions, later called Enterprise and Consumer, to better serve business-to-business and consumer markets. Since 2012, product development has also been based in China.
In early 2019, GN Audio bought Altia Systems for about US$125 million, adding videoconferencing products. Later that year, the first video product from that deal, the Jabra PanaCast, was announced.
Jabra’s product lineup includes wireless earbuds, noise-cancelling headphones, headsets, hearing aids, video conferencing cameras, and fitness-tracking sports headphones for exercise.
On 11 June 2024, GN Group announced that Jabra would gradually phase out its Elite and Talk product lines. That same day, it also introduced second-generation versions of its top-tier earbuds, the Elite 8 Active and Elite 10.
In 2024, Jabra launched Engage AI, a contact center platform. It gives agents real-time feedback during calls, helping them adjust their communication style and improve interactions on the spot. Unlike traditional speech-to-text tools, Engage AI analyzes tone of voice to better understand customer sentiment and agent engagement. It also gives supervisors insights into agent performance and customer interactions for targeted coaching.
Quick Facts
- Founder
- Elwood Norris
- Hq Location City
- Copenhagen
- Hq Location Country
- Denmark
- Area Served
- Worldwide
- Key People
- Peter Karlstromer (CEO)
- Industry
- Business and consumer electronics
- Products
- Professional and consumer audio
- Num Employees
- 2,000
- Parent
- GN Store Nord
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Jabra Corporation was founded in the United States in 1983 as Norcom Electronics Corporation of America by inventor and entrepreneur Woody Norris. The company, holding several patents, was acquired by GN Audio in September 2000, a division of the Danish company GN Group, which was founded by C. F. Tietgen in 1869 as the Great Northern Telegraph Company. Jabra's manufacturing plant is located in China.
In 2006, GN consolidated its Contact Center and Office headset division under the Jabra brand. A restructuring in 2008 established two divisions within Jabra, later named Enterprise and Consumer, facilitating a greater focus on business-to-business and consumer markets respectively. Since 2012, development has also been located in China.
In early 2019, GN Audio acquired Altia Systems for approximately US$125 million, adding videoconferencing products to their lineup. Later in 2019, the first video product from the acquisition was announced, the Jabra PanaCast. GN Group announced on 11 June 2024 that Jabra would gradually wind down their Elite and Talk product lines, the same day they announced the second generation of their most premium earbuds, Elite 8 Active and Elite 10.
Reader's Guide
Jabra's product range includes wireless earbuds, noise-cancelling headphones, headsets, hearing aids, video conferencing cameras, and fitness-tracking sports headphones designed for use during exercise. The brand's significance lies in its dual focus on both consumer and enterprise markets, a strategy formalized in 2008 with the creation of separate divisions. Its acquisition of Altia Systems in 2019 expanded its portfolio into videoconferencing, resulting in the Jabra PanaCast. In 2024, Jabra unveiled Engage AI, a contact center platform that provides immediate feedback to agents during calls by analyzing tone of voice to understand customer sentiment and agent engagement, unlike traditional speech-to-text solutions. The platform also gives supervisors insights into agent performance for targeted coaching. The June 2024 announcement to wind down the Elite and Talk product lines marked a strategic shift, even as the company released second-generation versions of its premium earbuds. Jabra's legacy is tied to its evolution from a U.S.-based patent-holding company to a Danish-owned global brand with manufacturing and development in China.
Did You Know?
- Jabra was founded in 1983 as Norcom Electronics Corporation of America by Woody Norris.
- Jabra's Engage AI platform analyzes tone of voice rather than speech-to-text to provide real-time feedback to contact center agents.
- On 11 June 2024, GN Group announced the gradual wind-down of Jabra's Elite and Talk product lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jabra (brand)?
Jabra is a Danish audio brand that produces headphones and video-conferencing hardware for both everyday listeners and corporate meeting rooms. It operates under GN Audio, a division of the long-standing Danish GN Group.
What does Jabra actually make?
The company designs and sells wireless, true-wireless, and wired headphones alongside video-conferencing systems. Their lineup targets both consumer and business audiences, with manufacturing handled in China.
How did Jabra get started?
The brand traces back to 1983, when inventor Woody Norris launched Norcom Electronics Corporation of America in the United States. After holding several patents, the company was purchased by GN Audio in September 2000 and rebranded as Jabra.
Who owns Jabra and what's the parent company's history?
Jabra sits under GN Audio, which belongs to the Danish GN Group. That group was originally founded in 1869 by C. F. Tietgen as the Great Northern Telegraph Company, giving the corporate family well over a century of heritage.
What major acquisition has Jabra made recently?
In early 2019 Jabra bought Altia Systems for roughly 125 million US dollars, a move that expanded its presence in the video-conferencing and collaboration-hardware space.
More in Headphones and Audio Gear, Part 2 1-24
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