Teenage Engineering founder and CEO Jesper Kouthoofd says the Swedish design and electronics company plans to stop making synthesizers, a move that could eventually bring an end to one of its most recognisable product lines.
Kouthoofd revealed the plan in an interview with Highsnobiety, saying he announced the decision to employees during a company reorganisation last year. The plan includes the OP-1, the portable synthesizer that helped establish Teenage Engineering’s reputation after its launch in 2011.
The OP-1 has remained central to the company’s identity and has developed a strong following among musicians, producers and electronic music enthusiasts. Teenage Engineering has since expanded its audio portfolio with products including the OP-1 Field, OP-XY, EP-133 and TP-7.
Kouthoofd said the decision reflects his broader view that the company should not be defined by the products it manufactures. Instead, he wants Teenage Engineering to explore ideas across design, technology and other forms of creative hardware.
The company has already worked beyond traditional music equipment, including collaborations with IKEA, Nothing and Playdate. Its catalogue has also included unusual products such as a portable record cutter and other design-focused objects.
The announcement does not mean existing synthesizers will immediately disappear from the market. Teenage Engineering has not announced a specific production end date, and its current products remain available. The company also continues to release software updates for its existing devices, including the OP-1 Field.
If Kouthoofd follows through with the plan, however, Teenage Engineering could gradually move away from the synthesizer market that played a major role in building its global following.

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