GN announces relocation of North American hearing headquarters from Bloomington to Shakopee in 2025

GN News

Sep 19, 2024

GN, a global leader in innovative hearing, audio, video and gaming gear solutions, today announces plans to move its North American hearing headquarters from Bloomington, Minn. to Shakopee, Minn. starting in 2025, occupying the former Shutterfly Midwest production facility along Highway 169.  

The company has finalized a 12-year lease and has begun planning for renovation and construction to turn the site into a 218,437 square-foot, state-of-the-art hearing aid manufacturing, repair and shipping facility.  

The facility will also house sales, customer service and marketing support for the company’s lead hearing aid brand, ReSound, as well as other professional support services for GN’s other hearing aid brands Jabra Enhance and Beltone.  The company currently employs approximately 550 people in Minnesota, more than half in manufacturing jobs.  

GN, with global headquarters in Copenhagen, has occupied the Bloomington facility at 8001 Bloomington Freeway East since 2001.  Strong and steady growth in hearing aids sales in recent years, even coming out of the pandemic, have driven a need for additional, modernized space.  The new lease represents a 79% increase in space from the Bloomington facility. 

“We’ve simply outgrown our current space,” says Tom Woods, President, GN Hearing division North America.  “This move to Shakopee is part of a long-term strategy to provide a best-in-class facility for our employees and to support continued growth in Minnesota as our life-changing hearing solutions are embraced by more and more people looking for hearing loss solutions that meet their individual needs.”

A ‘Great Place to Grow’

Colliers’ Andrew Odney and Andrew Heieie represented GN in securing the lease agreement.  

Built in 2014, 5005 Dean Lakes Blvd. sits on more than 22 acres with 160,000 square feet of production and warehouse space, along with approximately 58,000 square feet of office space on two floors. 

It features 12 dock doors, 24- to 28-foot clear ceiling heights, a drive-in door, parking for 655 cars as well as substantial infrastructure including a humidity control system and heavy power capabilities. 

A robust on-site amenities package includes a 200+ person event center, training rooms, game room, fitness center, large cafeteria and outdoor break area. Most importantly, the facility is expandable by 118,000 square feet.

“Our new facility will enable us to grow while providing space and amenities that ensure we remain at the forefront of innovation in the hearing solutions market,” adds Woods, noting that the Twin Cities is recognized around the world as a leader in med tech and has a rich history within the hearing aid industry.  “We felt it important to keep our operations in the United States to best serve our customers.  And we want to be in Minnesota and believe Shakopee is the right place to grow.  It gives us access to top talent, suppliers and other resources needed to innovate in order to help the millions of people in the U.S. with untreated hearing loss.”

"GN's decision to move its North American Headquarters to Shakopee is a clear indication of our city's growing reputation as a prime location for businesses seeking innovation and growth,” says William Reynolds, Shakopee City Administrator. “We are eager to collaborate with GN as they establish their state-of-the-art facility, which will bring new opportunities for our residents and bolster our position as a dynamic and attractive location for global leaders in technology."

The company now begins a redesign and remodel followed by a phased transition plan to ensure business continuity in the move from Bloomington to Shakopee that is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. 

GN Hearing Innovation 

GN has a rich history in hearing aid innovation, perhaps best known for pushing the boundaries of connectivity and accessibility in hearing aids.  ReSound launched the first truly wireless hearing aid in 2010.  That was a major breakthrough in hearing aids that led to the first Made-for-iPhone hearing aids in 2013, followed by direct audio streaming for Android devices. 

ReSound Nexia is the latest hearing aid family, receiving rave reviews for its ability to help people hear speech in noise, while continuing the company’s legacy in connectivity as they are the first hearing aid to be Bluetooth LE Audio compatible and ready for Auracast.

Hearing loss is a major health issue, around the world and in the U.S.  According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 37.5 million U.S. adults report some trouble hearing, and 28.8 million could benefit from using hearing aids.

About Colliers

Colliers (NASDAQ, TSX: CIGI) is a leading diversified professional services and investment management company. With operations in 68 countries, our 22,000 enterprising professionals work collaboratively to provide expert real estate and investment advice to clients. For more than 29 years, our experienced leadership with significant inside ownership has delivered compound annual investment returns of approximately 20% for shareholders. With annual revenues of more than $4.4 billion and $96 billion of assets under management, Colliers maximizes the potential of property and real assets to accelerate the success of our clients, our investors and our people. Learn more at corporate.colliers.com, X @Colliers or LinkedIn

About ReSound

ReSound is a recognized pioneer and innovator in hearing aids, which continues to set new standards to make life sound better for more people. Part of the GN Group, ReSound has unique access to cutting-edge competences from the audio world which enriches its medical-grade solutions with a deep understanding of user-centric design and lifestyle needs. By placing people at the center of innovation, ReSound consistently introduces game-changing experiences such as direct audio streaming from iPhone to hearing aids and remote care from hearing professionals via the user’s smartphone app. ReSound is a committed and trusted partner to leading hearing care professionals in over 100 countries around the world helping people hear more, do more and be more than they ever thought possible.

About GN 

GN brings people closer through our leading intelligent hearing, audio, video, and gaming solutions. Inspired by people and driven by innovation, we deliver technologies that enhance the senses of hearing and sight. We help people with hearing loss overcome real-life challenges, improve communication and collaboration for businesses, and provide great experiences for audio and gaming enthusiasts.

GN was founded more than 150 years ago with a vision to connect the world. Today, inspired by our strong heritage, GN touches more lives than ever with our unique expertise and the broadest portfolio of products and services in our history – bringing people closer to what is important to them. We market our solutions with the brands Jabra, ReSound, SteelSeries, Beltone, Interton, BlueParrott, Danavox, and FalCom in 100 countries. Founded in 1869, GN Group employs more than 7,000 people and is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (GN.CO).

© 2024 GN Hearing A/S. All rights reserved. ReSound is a trademark of GN Hearing A/S. 

About GN Hearing

People with hearing loss are at the heart of everything we do. ReSound® hearing aids help people feel more involved, connected and in control. In an ever-smarter world, we think big and challenge the norm so that we can transform lives through the power of sound. Available exclusively through audiologists and hearing care professionals.

ReSound is part of The GN Group – pioneering great sound from world-leading ReSound hearing aids to Jabra office headsets and sports headphones. Founded in 1869, employing over 5,000 people, and listed on Nasdaq OMX Copenhagen, GN makes life sound better.