Germany’s Miele additionally consolidates growth globally, and this world-leading premium home appliance maker has achieved sales of 3.93 billion euros in financial 2016/17, which ended on June 30, 2017. This represents an increase of 218 million euros or 5.9 percent annually.
The financial growth was significantly contributed by the built-in appliances and vacuum cleaners, while the turning points from the observed period included the investment of the Italian steel medical specialist Steelco, the launch of Miele Venture Capital GmbH and the creation of a new Smart Home business unit. At present, Miele employs about 19,500 people, while during the reporting period the investment amounted to 225 million euros.
The growth in sales of devices from Miele’s product range has been well above the average for the past 10 years for the third time, despite the more unfavourable conditions prevailing in important markets such as Russia, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Moreover, prices are under constant pressure in almost all relevant product groups, as well as in all markets.
Gutersloh’s family-owned company has opted for the aggressive marketing activities of other manufacturers with its continuous focus on quality, holding a leading position in terms of innovation within its industry, offering high quality and premium models with technical characteristics exclusive to the Miele brand.
Strong growth in the US, Australia, Canada and Germany
Miele made sales of 1.18 billion euros in Germany, an increase of 6.8%. Here Miele was an undisputed winner in terms of market share in the last few years – and no. 1 brand of specialized retail stores for home appliances. Outside of Germany, the US, Australia, Canada, Austria and many Asian markets is worth the extra attention.
At the level of individual product groups, a successful story with dishwashers Miele continued in the business year that just finished, with an increase in sales of almost 40% within three years. In the floor care sector, Miele’s first dust-free vacuum cleaner, Blizzard CKS1, was successfully launched after its premiere on IFA in 2016. For the first time in the fiscal year, Miele has sold more than 2.5 million vacuum cleaners and has again become a leader in the European market (vacuum cleaners with / without a bag). With its ArtLine series of built-in kitchen appliances without handles, whose doors are opened electrically at the touch of a finger, Miele completes its gamble of built-in appliances designed for cutting-edge modern kitchens with hand-held designs. And in the field of laundry, WT1 washing and drying machine sets new standards with a complete cycle of washing and drying for less than 3 hours and web-linked TwinDos automatic detergent dosing system, increasing sales by 40%.
Smart Home: New business field, new branch, new cooperation
In the field of smart home appliances, Miele has been a pioneer in the market for many years. The new Smart Home business started last autumn, linking research and development, production and marketing under one roof.
Miele now supports the launch of startup companies through its newly established subsidiary, Miele Venture Capital GmbH, through direct ownership shares.
Steelco now belongs to the Miele Group
The Miele Professional business unit, which includes the production and development of laundry technology, commercial dishwashing, as well as medical and laboratory technology, recorded sales of 484 million euros during the last financial year.
In the field of medical technology, Miele’s market position has improved considerably, given that the renowned Italian Steelco Group is now part of the Miele Group. During the introduction of the division of responsibilities, a business project involving the sale of equipment to central sterile departments for supply (CSSD) in hospitals will be concentrated under the Steelco label.
More staff in Germany and internationally
By June 30, 2017, Miele hired 19,465 workers around the world. That amounted to 1,095 employees or 6.0% more than in the previous year. At the end of the reporting period, Miele hired 10,888 employees, corresponding to an increase of 562 FTE or 5.4%. The number of employees increased at all production locations, in the central headquarters and in Germany.
Since 2000, Miele has cut its consumption of energy and water from its appliances, without any compromise in terms of convenience or performance. Similar achievements have also been made in areas of environmental protection in production facilities: CO2 emissions related to energy during the same period have been reduced by more than 50%.
The long-announced change in the Executive Board of the Miele Group has passed as planned. At the end of 2016, Dr. Eduard Sailer retired after 19 successful years where he was a member of the committee responsible for technical affairs. His successor in this position is dr. Stefan Breit, former factory director at Miele’s production plant in In Gutersloh. Other board members, each with equal voting rights, are Olaf Bartsch (Finance / Administration), Dr Akel Kniehl (Marketing / Sales) and Dr. Markus Miele and Dr. Reinhard Zinkann (Executive Directors and Co-Owners).