Telex Communications
Telex Communications was a U.S. manufacturer whose business developed from hearing aids into audio, communications, conference and computer-peripheral equipment.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Telex Communications was a Burnsville, Minnesota-based American manufacturer with roots in hearing aids and a later presence in professional audio and communications equipment. The company began operations in 1936 as a hearing-aid maker. During the 1960s, the wider Telex organization expanded into computer peripherals, broadening the name beyond its original healthcare-related business. In the 1970s, Telex Communications was organized as a subsidiary of Telex Corporation, while the Telex corporate structure encompassed several distinct technology activities. A major ownership change occurred in 1988, when Telex Corporation was acquired by Memorex. The combined organization adopted the name Memorex Telex NV. The hearing-aid portion of Telex Corporation was separated from that organization in 1989 and re-established as Telex Communications, an independent company. Memorex retained the computer-peripheral operations associated with Telex Corporation. This separation marked the beginning of Telex Communications as a more focused hearing and audio-equipment business rather than a broad computer-technology organization. Telex Communications subsequently expanded its position in audio and communications markets. Its activities included professional audio equipment and systems, alongside the legacy hearing-aid business. In February 1998, Telex Communications merged with Electro-Voice, bringing together two established names in professional sound equipment. The combination linked Telex's communications and audio activities with Electro-Voice's loudspeaker and microphone heritage. The companies and brands later operated within a broader professional-audio portfolio. In August 2006, Bosch acquired Telex Communications for a reported $420 million. Following the transaction, the business became part of Bosch's communications activities and was operated under the Bosch Communications Systems name. The acquisition placed Telex-related products and operations within a larger industrial technology group and connected them with Bosch's professional communications, public-address and conference-systems activities. The Telex corporate identity was subsequently absorbed into Bosch's business structure rather than continuing as an independent publicly traded company. In 2025, Bosch sold its security and communications/conference-systems business unit, including the Dynacord and Electro-Voice brands and the conference-systems product line, to Triton Partners. The acquired activities were intended to operate as Keenfinity Group. Because the available reference material does not clearly specify the post-transaction status of every Telex-branded product or trademark, Telex Communications is best treated as a historical corporate entity whose operations passed through Memorex Telex, independent ownership, Bosch and then the Keenfinity organization. Its historical significance lies in the way a specialist hearing-aid maker evolved into a diversified communications and professional-audio business through restructuring, merger and acquisition.
History
Telex Communications originated in 1936 as a manufacturer of hearing aids in the United States. Its early identity was therefore associated with hearing assistance and related electronic technology rather than with the professional sound and communications markets for which the Telex name later became known. During the 1960s, the broader Telex organization entered the computer-peripherals business. This expansion made Telex a diversified technology company with activities beyond hearing aids. In the 1970s, Telex Communications operated as a subsidiary of Telex Corporation. The corporate structure included both the hearing-aid operation and the computer-peripheral activities, although these businesses later followed different ownership paths. Memorex acquired Telex Corporation in 1988 and renamed itself Memorex Telex NV. In 1989, the hearing-aid portion of Telex Corporation was spun out as Telex Communications, an independent company. Memorex retained the computer-peripheral businesses. The transaction effectively separated the Telex name's healthcare-related and audio-oriented activities from its computer-technology operations. Telex Communications then developed as an independent manufacturer of hearing aids and audio equipment. Its business broadened into professional audio and communications applications. In February 1998, Telex Communications merged with Electro-Voice, combining two companies with established positions in sound and communications equipment. The merger was an important step in the consolidation of the professional-audio activities associated with both names. Bosch acquired Telex Communications in August 2006 for a reported $420 million. After the acquisition, the company became part of Bosch Communications Systems. Telex-related operations were consequently managed within Bosch rather than as a separately listed or independently controlled enterprise. The Bosch structure connected the business with broader professional communications, public-address and conference-system activities. In 2025, Bosch sold its security and communications/conference-systems business unit to Triton Partners. The business included the Dynacord and Electro-Voice brands and the conference-systems product line and was to operate as Keenfinity Group. The available reference does not establish that all Telex products or trademarks moved into the new organization, so the later corporate status of the Telex name should be distinguished from the status of particular products and successor businesses. Telex Communications is consequently best understood as a historical company that moved through several corporate forms: an original hearing-aid manufacturer, a Telex Corporation subsidiary, an independent company after the 1989 spinout, a merged Telex/Electro-Voice operation, a Bosch communications business and, through the later Bosch divestiture, part of a successor communications portfolio.
- 2025
Bosch communications business divestiture
[1]Bosch sells the relevant security and communications/conference-systems business unit to Triton Partners for operation as Keenfinity Group.
- 2006
Bosch acquisition
[1]Bosch acquires Telex Communications for a reported $420 million and operates it under Bosch Communications Systems.
- 1998
Merger with Electro-Voice
[1]Telex Communications merges with Electro-Voice, strengthening its position in professional audio and communications equipment.
- 1989
Hearing-aid business is spun out
[1]The hearing-aid portion of Telex Corporation is separated and becomes independent Telex Communications, while Memorex retains the peripheral businesses.
- 1988
Telex Corporation is acquired by Memorex
[1]Memorex acquires Telex Corporation and later adopts the name Memorex Telex NV.
- 1970
Telex Communications becomes a Telex Corporation subsidiary
[1]During the 1970s, Telex Communications is structured as a subsidiary of Telex Corporation.
- 1960
Entry into computer peripherals
[1]The broader Telex organization enters the computer-peripherals business during the 1960s.
- 1936
Telex is founded as a hearing-aid manufacturer
[1]The company begins operations in the United States as a maker of hearing aids.
Products and positioning
Historically positioned as a technology manufacturer spanning hearing assistance, professional audio and communications equipment, with later emphasis on business and systems-oriented audio technologies.
Hearing assistance · 1936
Telex hearing aids
Hearing aids were the company's original product category from its founding in 1936. The hearing-aid business remained a defining part of the Telex organization until it was separated from the wider Telex Corporation structure in 1989. Available reference material does not identify individual models or technical specifications.
Computer peripherals · 1960
Telex computer peripherals
The broader Telex organization entered computer peripherals during the 1960s. These operations were associated with Telex Corporation and were retained by Memorex after the hearing-aid business was spun out in 1989. They should not be assumed to have remained part of independent Telex Communications.
Professional audio
Telex professional audio equipment
Telex Communications manufactured audio equipment as its business expanded beyond hearing aids. The reference identifies professional audio and communications equipment as part of the company's activities but does not provide a complete catalog of models or product generations.
Communications systems · 2006
Telex communications and conference systems
Communications and conference-system activities became associated with the Telex business under Bosch Communications Systems. The available material does not specify individual systems, launch dates or the precise allocation of Telex-branded products after Bosch's 2006 acquisition.
Brand decisions
2025
Transfer Bosch communications activities to Triton PartnersM&ABackground
Bosch reorganized ownership of its security and communications/conference-systems activities.
Action taken
Bosch sold the business unit to Triton Partners, with the operations intended to continue as Keenfinity Group.
Aftermath
The transaction created a successor organization for the transferred activities, although the available reference does not establish the precise status of every Telex-branded asset.
2006
Sell Telex Communications to BoschM&ABackground
Telex Communications was operating as a manufacturer of audio and communications equipment.
Action taken
Bosch acquired the company in August 2006 for a reported $420 million.
Aftermath
The company became a business unit within Bosch Communications Systems rather than remaining independent.
Acquisition price. $420 million (August 2006)
1998
Merge with Electro-VoiceM&ABackground
Telex Communications and Electro-Voice were both active in audio and communications equipment.
Action taken
The two companies merged in February 1998.
Aftermath
The combination created a broader professional-audio and communications organization.
1989
Separate the hearing-aid business from Telex CorporationStrategyBackground
After Memorex acquired Telex Corporation, the hearing-aid portion and the computer-peripheral operations followed different ownership paths.
Action taken
The hearing-aid business was spun out as independent Telex Communications, while Memorex retained the peripheral businesses.
Aftermath
Telex Communications continued as a focused hearing-aid and audio-equipment company outside Memorex Telex's retained peripheral operations.
Recent events
- 2025
Bosch communications and conference-systems business sold to Triton Partners[1]
M&A
Bosch sold its security and communications/conference-systems business unit, including the Dynacord and Electro-Voice brands and conference-systems activities, to Triton Partners for operation as Keenfinity Group.
- 2006
Bosch acquires Telex Communications[1]
M&A
Bosch acquired Telex Communications for a reported $420 million and incorporated it into Bosch Communications Systems.
- 1998
Telex Communications merges with Electro-Voice[1]
M&A · Other
Telex Communications and Electro-Voice combined their businesses, joining Telex's communications and audio activities with Electro-Voice's professional sound-equipment operations.
- 1981
Telex chairman Roger Wheeler murdered by the Winter Hill Gang[1]
Other
Roger Wheeler, identified as a chairman of Telex Communications, was murdered at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The killing was attributed to the Winter Hill Gang.
Sources2 sources
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