What SONELCO does

SONELCO (Sistemas de Comunicación y Sonido, S.A.L.) is a privately held Spanish manufacturer and distributor of professional communication and sound systems, headquartered in Zaragoza with installations in more than 40 countries across all five continents. The company's portfolio spans 100V public address systems, IP-based and legacy nurse call systems (P6000 and IP8000 lines), background music systems with Bluetooth/WiFi transmission, voice alarm evacuation systems compliant with EN 54-16 / EN 60849 standards, induction loops for hearing-impaired accessibility, conference and simultaneous-interpretation systems, and hands-free intercoms. Underlying technology combines analog 100V line architecture, IP-converged platforms, FM radio receivers, and direct-mains (230V) product designs that eliminate separate power supply units; vertical integration across in-house design, manufacturing, and R&D supports continuous product customization. Key certifications include UNE-EN ISO 9001:2015 quality management and VDE 0834 hospital-grade compliance.

The business model is hardware-sales driven, executed through a dual go-to-market: direct enterprise sales for large infrastructure projects (airports, hospitals, nuclear facilities, government buildings) via the export team, and a nationwide network of authorized distributors and resellers covering all Spanish provinces for residential and commercial volume. SONELCO holds an exclusive Spanish distribution arrangement with French manufacturer MERLAUD (operating since 1923), with reciprocal cross-shareholding enabling MERLAUD's international reach through SONELCO and SONELCO's access to heritage EN 54-16 compliant evacuation products. Reference customers include the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, Singapore Airport (15,000+ speakers), Paris-Orly, ITER nuclear fusion facility, French nuclear power stations, Chilean hospitals, and Taiwanese underground infrastructure. Pricing is project-based quotation through resellers with no disclosed recurring software or service contracts, and revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. Mobile control applications (Sonelco BT, Sonelco NET, Sonelco WiFi) extend hardware into iOS/Android device control.

Name

SONELCO

Legal name

SISTEMAS DE COMUNICACIÓN Y SONIDO, S.A.L.

Website

https://sonelco.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SONELCO is a Spanish manufacturer and distributor of professional communication and sound systems — public address, nurse call, background music, and EN 54-16 evacuation systems — serving hospitals, airports, public infrastructure, and commercial/residential buildings across more than 40 countries via direct enterprise sales and an authorized distributor network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Audio and Communication Systems

NAICS

Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (3343), Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33429)

SIC

Communications Equipment, Nec (3669)

akta.pro primary industry

Audible-Visual Alarms & Notification Devices (Sounders, horns, siren/strobe combos for industrial use) (IMAGAIAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Microphones, Headsets & Audio Input Devices (HDACAFAH)

Keywords

• Professional sound systems
• Public address systems
• Nurse call systems
• Background music systems
• Voice alarm evacuation

Headquarters

HQ city

Zaragoza

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Professional Sound Systems: Manufacture and sale of professional communication and sound systems including public address, background music, nurse call systems, and intercom equipment for commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings.
2. MERLAUD Product Distribution: Exclusive distribution of MERLAUD (French) public address and evacuation systems in Spain, complementing SONELCO's own product lines.
3. Custom Installation Projects: Large-scale infrastructure projects including airports, hospitals, public facilities, and government buildings requiring specialized communication and sound systems.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

SONELCO manufactures and distributes professional communication and sound systems, including 100V public address systems, IP-based nurse call platforms (P6000, IP8000), background music systems with Bluetooth and WiFi transmission, voice alarm evacuation systems compliant with EN 54-16, induction loops, conference and simultaneous interpretation systems, and hands-free intercoms. The company also serves as exclusive distributor of French manufacturer MERLAUD's public address and evacuation systems in Spain. Products are deployed in hospitals, airports, government buildings, commercial facilities, and residential developments across more than 40 countries.

Product overview

SONELCO (Sistemas de Comunicación y Sonido S.A.L.) is a Spanish manufacturer and distributor of communication and sound systems, operating as a single unified product portfolio organized into distinct product lines. The core offerings include Background Music Systems (modular centralization with 45x45mm controls, amplifiers, and loudspeakers), the simplified Easy Series (direct mains-powered with Bluetooth/FM), and Public Address Systems distributed under the MERLAUD brand. Healthcare communication is addressed through the P6000, VISO OPT PLUS, and IP8000 nurse call system lines. Additional products include induction loops for hearing-impaired accessibility, conference systems, simultaneous interpretation (up to 7 languages), and hands-free intercoms. WiFi and Bluetooth audio solutions are offered through dedicated product lines with companion mobile applications (Sonelco BT, NET, and WiFi Apps). The company also distributes MERLAUD's French-manufactured PA systems (since 1923) including EN54-16 compliant voice alarm evacuation systems. Products serve residential, commercial, industrial, and public facility installations across hotels, hospitals, schools, shopping centers, airports, and more.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MERLAUD: French manufacturer specializing in public address systems since 1923, distributed by SONELCO in Spain. Products include evacuation systems pursuant to EN 60849 / EN 64-16 standards and public address by IP.

Products and services

• Background Music Systems Modular sound diffusion systems featuring centralization, controls and modules (45x45mm), built-in amplifiers, low-impedance loudspeakers, volume control, channel change, equalization, FM radio, auxiliary input, Bluetooth, alarm clock, LCD display, and microphone capabilities. Designed for hotels, restaurants, offices, shops, and residential installations.
• Easy Series Simplified sound installation products with direct mains supply (230V), eliminating power supply units. Most models include FM radio tuner and Bluetooth for wireless music streaming from smartphones, tablets, and computers. Includes controls, modules for false ceiling, and kits designed for easy deployment.
• Public Address Systems (MERLAUD) Full range of 100V sound systems distributed under MERLAUD brand including evacuation systems compliant with EN 60849/EN 54-16 standards and IP-based public address. Supports installations from simple single-amplifier setups to complex systems for airports, underground, and nuclear power stations. Includes matrix and IP systems, amplifiers, audio sources, selectors, telephone interfaces, microphones, call consoles, attenuators, loudspeakers, and 19" racks.
• P6000 Nurse Call System Communication system for hospitals and care homes enabling installations ranging from basic acoustic-luminous signaling to advanced configurations with patient-nurse intercommunication, LCD displays, DECT telephone integration, and event log registration. Designed for healthcare facilities requiring reliable patient-nurse communication.
• IP8000 IP-Based Nurse Call System IP platform system integrating nurse call with telephony, internet, TV, and service payment. Flexible and scalable solution for hospitals and care homes providing unified communication infrastructure over IP networks.
• Induction Loop System System designed for public address installations serving people with hearing difficulties. Includes BIM100 (40W) and BIM200 (80W) transformer units for hearing loop installations.
• Conference System Professional equipment for meeting rooms, debate systems, and conference centers enabling structured discussions and presentations in corporate and institutional settings.
• Simultaneous Interpretation System System for simultaneous transmission of up to 7 languages in addition to the original language, designed for international conferences and multilingual events.
• Hands Free Intercom (IA Series) Vis-a-vis hands-free intercom for locations requiring voice volume reinforcement or with physical separation (glass) between interlocutors, such as ticket booths. Includes IA-207 (5W outdoor acoustic projector), IA-210 (interior terminal with control electronics), and IA-202 (exterior microphone module).
• WiFi Audio System High-fidelity WiFi sound equipment including W-77 ceiling HiFi WiFi System and W-87 wall mount HiFi WiFi System for indoor and outdoor use. Enables wireless audio distribution with WiFi and Bluetooth technology integration.

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• MERLAUDcoreTechnology or IntegrationMERLAUD is a French manufacturer specialized in public address systems since 1923. SONELCO distributes MERLAUD products in Spain while MERLAUD serves international markets. Both companies have shareholdings in each other. MERLAUD products include evacuation systems pursuant to EN 60849/EN 64-16 standards and IP-based public address systems. Notable projects include Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, Paris-Orly Airport, Singapore Airport (15,000+ speakers), ITER nuclear fusion project, and Taiwan underground.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Bosch Security Systems: Major global manufacturer of Praesideo and PAVIRO public address/voice alarm systems with EN 54-16 certification, plus integrated security and building communication. Competes with SONELCO/MERLAUD on tenders for airports, transit, and large public buildings as part of a much broader security portfolio.
• Legrand: Global building infrastructure group offering nurse call, public address, and audio communication systems (including through brands such as Tynetec and CP Electronics) as part of a much broader electrical and digital building portfolio. Competes with SONELCO in healthcare communications and integrated building AV.
• Harman Professional (Samsung): Global pro-audio group (JBL, Crown, AMX, BSS) supplying installed sound, background music, and conferencing systems for hospitality, retail, and large venues. Comparable to SONELCO's commercial audio and background music business on similar customer profiles.
• Honeywell: Global incumbent offering voice alarm, public address, and emergency communication systems integrated with building management, fire, and security platforms. Competes with SONELCO in regulated PA and large-facility installations via its broader safety portfolio.

Direct peers

• Zenitel: Norwegian specialist in IP intercom, public address, and voice alarm systems with strong presence in transit, maritime, and public-safety markets. Directly comparable to SONELCO/MERLAUD in IP-based PA and EN 54-16 voice evacuation installations.
• TOA Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of professional public address, voice alarm, and commercial audio systems with EN 54-16 certified evacuation products. Directly comparable to SONELCO/MERLAUD in PA, background music, and voice alarm categories across commercial and public-sector installations.
• Bogen Communications: US manufacturer of commercial audio, public address, and intercom products for education, commercial, and institutional markets. Closely comparable to SONELCO's background music, PA, and intercom lines on similar customer profiles.
• Rauland-Borg (AMETEK): US-based specialist in hospital nurse call and clinical communication systems (Responder series), now part of AMETEK. Directly competes with SONELCO's P6000 and IP8000 nurse call offerings in the healthcare communications vertical.
• Aiphone: Specialist manufacturer of intercom, nurse call, and security communication systems widely used in healthcare, commercial, and residential settings. Directly comparable to SONELCO's intercom and P6000 nurse call product lines in the same use cases.

Emerging players

• Axis Communications: Network video and audio specialist increasingly offering IP-based public address and network speakers for retail, transit, and public-safety applications. Comparable to SONELCO/MERLAUD in the IP-PA category and signals the strategic shift toward IP-native building audio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sonelco

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SONELCO