Governor Kay Ivey announced Thursday that Miele, the world’s leading manufacturer of premium domestic appliances, has selected Opelika as the location for a U.S. manufacturing hub that will employ hundreds of workers.
Germany-based Miele is launching a long-term growth project in the East Alabama city that ultimately will create several hundred jobs and see the company build a major production facility serving multiple business units as its U.S. business expands.
“Miele is one the world’s most iconic brands, and we’re thrilled to have this great company select Alabama as the home for its first U.S. manufacturing facility,” said Governor Ivey. “Miele is a wonderful addition to our state’s business community, and I look forward to the day when its new Opelika facility is turning out first-class ‘Made in USA’ appliances coming from Alabama.”
Initially, Miele plans to occupy an existing facility in Opelika to jump start production of appliances, creating over 150 jobs by 2026. In Phase II of the growth project, Miele plans to build a large facility that will serve as the company’s major U.S. production center, creating an additional workforce by 2030
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Miele increases commitment to Circular Economy and gives washing machines a second lease of life
Miele increases commitment to Circular Economy and gives washing machines a second lease of life
- Sale of used washing machines in the Netherlands
- Several refurbishment and recycling projects have been running for a year
- Circularity as focus of sustainability strategy
Conserving resources, reducing waste, returning materials and products into circulation: A fully functional circular economy is the key to rising to the challenges of climate change, the waste crisis and scarce resources. Miele has pronounced the circular economy a strategic issue and embarked on a course of action. The company is currently trialling various aspects of circularity under real-life conditions. The domestic appliance manufacturer is selling refurbished washing machines in the Netherlands and researching a reuse of parts and materials.
‘With our durable and energy-saving domestic appliances we have been making a valuable contribution for decades towards conserving natural resources, and now intend to implement the principle of circularity at Miele with even greater conviction’, says Rebecca Steinhage, Executive Director Human Resources and Corporate Affairs and responsible for sustainability at Miele. True to Miele’s own motto of ‘Immer Besser’, Miele has set itself the goal of ‘creating a circular value creation chain in which all materials used in our appliances are returned into circulation at the end of their life cycles.’
Refurbishment project in the Netherlands successful
For over a year now, a Miele pilot project has therefore been running in the Netherlands to sell refurbished washing machines, that have been checked, repaired, cleaned and then offered with the ‘refurbished’ label. In the process, the machines are subjected to similar tests as new appliances before being sold at a reduced price. Half of the machines selected for the refurbishment project can, indeed, be repaired so that they are once again fully functional. ‘This gives our washing machines a new lease of life and allows us to offer customers Miele quality at an attractive price’, maintains Rebecca Steinhage.
Washing machines which cannot be repaired take another route: The high-quality electronic controls are removed and processed by a specialised company in Germany. They are then sold to consumers who reinstall them themselves. Over 90% of the electronic units harvested in this way can provide many years of reliable service.
In another part of the project, the detergent dispenser drawers are removed from the machines as these lend themselves well to recycling on account of their material composition. The material is separated out and sent to a recycling company where it is reprocessed as granulate for reuse in production. Miele is using this material to research on quality and possible applications for the future.
Miele and Metall Zug venture
Miele and Metall Zug are planning a joint venture to strengthen their medical technology and pharmaceutical divisionsSteelco (Miele) and Belimed (Metall Zug) are joining forces
Portfolio comprises hygiene solutions for hospitals, biomedical research, and pharmaceutical applications as well as biotechnological requirements
Highest standards of quality, innovation, and customer proximity
In order to expand its medical technology and pharmaceutical division in the Professional business unit, Miele will be contributing its subsidiary Steelco Group to a joint venture with the Swiss industrial holding company Metall Zug AG. Metall Zug will in turn be bringing its two Belimed companies – Infection Control and Life Science – to the joint venture. Steelco and Belimed both produce cleaning, disinfection and sterilization solutions for hospitals, biomedical research and pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications. By combining their product and service portfolios, the two companies are aiming to become one of the most reliable, innovative, and customer-focused providers in the industry. The agreement regarding the joint venture, in which Miele is to hold a 67 % share and Metall Zug 33 %, was signed on 27 November. Closing is to take place once the necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained.
Operators of clinics and hospitals and those in charge of pharmaceutical production are facing new challenges, from increasing hygiene requirements in infection and contamination control to ensuring cost-effectiveness and dealing with the increasing shortage of staff. As a result, demand is growing around the world for technologically advanced and economically attractive equipment that meets the highest standards of hygiene. Belimed and Steelco have enjoyed an excellent reputation as providers in this field for decades – with products and services for cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of medical equipment, laboratory supplies and solutions for the pharmaceutical industry and biotechnological applications. Furthermore, both companies share a commitment to the highest quality standards and maximum customer focus.
“The Professional business unit is already very important to Miele,” says Dr Axel Kniehl, who is Executive Director Marketing & Sales for the Miele Group and is responsible for this business unit. “With this joint venture, we will be strengthening our strategic position as a global premium provider in the field of medical and pharmaceutical technology and will be creating additional opportunities for growth, particularly in North America and Asia.”
Belimed and Steelco – premium partners on an equal footing
Steelco has been part of Miele since 2017. The subsidiary looks after the global clinic project business, among other things, and is therefore responsible for all aspects of planning and equipment for sterilization departments in hospitals. The company, which was founded in 2001, has two production locations in Italy – at the headquarters in Riese Pio X and in Cusano. Furthermore, the company has branches in 14 countries and a strong network of distributors in its core markets. In 2022, Miele generated turnover of approx. EUR 194 million through Steelco business, with the company employing around 800 people. In addition to many years of expertise in infection control and pharmaceuticals, Steelco brings a broad product portfolio and a high level of innovative strength to the project. “We are looking forward to working with Belimed – together we want to provide our customers with the most innovative and reliable solutions in the industry,” says Fabio Zardini, CEO of Steelco.
Belimed, which is headquartered in Zug in Switzerland and has production locations in Sulgen (Switzerland) and Grosuplje (Slovenia), employs around 1300 people in the areas of infection control and pharmaceuticals. With its two companies Belimed Infection Control and Belimed Life Science, the Group is represented in more than 80 countries – with its own sales and service hubs in some cases – and particularly in growth markets such as the USA and China. Its most recent turnover figures amounted to approx. CHF 229 million. At the same time, customers appreciate Steelco’s high level of quality and expertise in relation to digital solutions. “Steelco and Miele are strong and reliable partners. With their growth momentum and years of expertise, they are the perfect fit for us and our joint plans for the future,” says Martin Wipfli, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Metall Zug AG.
“With the joint venture, we want to combine the best of both worlds. A broad, innovative, and interconnected product portfolio combined with a dense global sales and service network will allow us to achieve maximum customer proximity,” explains Dr Christian Kluge, Senior Vice President Business Unit Professional, whose recent turnover figures of more than EUR 750 million included a significant contribution from Steelco business
Miele Ireland
A New Chapter for Miele Ireland:
These are indeed exciting times for Miele Ireland as they embark on this new chapter with the newly open Liffey Valley experience centre.
Miele most durable brand
Miele has announced that it has once again been recognized as the most durable brand on the market by a reliability survey carried out by the most important consumer organization in Europe, in which more than 50,000 European users participated.
Miele wins the German Sustainability Award for the second time
Miele won the German Sustainability Award 2023 in the ‘Home Appliances’ category. The Gütersloh company had already obtained the award in 2014. The lifespan of its products, the attention to reducing the resources used in the production phase and the CO2 emissions during the use of household appliances together with the responsibility assumed towards of supply chains and employees earned Miele the jury’s recognition.
The German Sustainability Award recognizes companies from all industrial sectors that have achieved success on their long and arduous journey towards sustainability. Independent specialized juries decided on the basis of sustainability profiles which companies are leaders in 100 categories and identified them
Miele committed the right to Repair
Miele join in Repair day is here, and so is our commitment to a more
sustainable home. In a world where things are often quickly replaced, Miele wants to make sure your appliances stay in great shape for as long as
possible.
That’s why we offer quick and easy troubleshooting support and
make sure our spare parts are available for at least 15 years
through various channels.
Miele open Experience Center in Bratislava
Miele CZ & SK opens a new Experience Center in Bratislava with the participation of the company’s leaders and chefs Zdenek Pohlreich and Martin Novák. Markus Miele , executive director and co-owner of the company, gave the opening speech . Peter Virsik , Senior Vice President Region Southern & Eastern Europe, and Ieva Kulberga , Managing Director Region Central and Eastern Europe, also spoke about future plans and the current market . The CEO of Miele CZ & SK Josef Jelínek then informed about the company’s ambitious goal of tripling the market share in Slovakia and almost doubling it in the Czech Republic by 2030
Miele v BORA
Miele has filed a revocation action against Australian Patent No. 2012247900 in the name of Wilhelm Bruckbauer, CEO of BORA.
Initially, BORA had issued a formal demand regarding Miele’s infringement of BORA’s intellectual property rights by selling downdraft cooking hobs in Australia. After being notified about the revocation action BORA filed a cross-claim alleging patent infringement by Miele.
After extensive examination, BORA considers that the sale by Miele of its downdraft cooking hobs in Australia clearly infringes its Australian Patent and is pursuing its legal options to enforce its intellectual property rights.
BORA will enforce and defend its patents and will not accept any infringement of its intellectual property rights. The management of BORA share the view that its patents and other intellectual property must be respected.
About the company
BORA develops and produces innovative premium built-in kitchen appliances with impressive design standards. The German-Austrian company group positions its portfolio internationally with the claim ‘More than cooking.’ Since Willi Bruckbauer founded BORA in 2007, the company has been committed to revolutionising the kitchen as a living space by questioning the ordinary. Its mission: to offer extraordinary products for extraordinary experiences.
The story began with the innovative cooktop extractor systems, which use intelligent technology to draw cooking vapours downwards and are continually developed through BORA’s own drive for perfection. After the expansion of the product range to include the BORA X BO, a professional steam oven for your home, and the associated BORA multi-drawer, refrigeration and freezing systems as well as lighting followed. BORA products are characterised by outstanding performance, simple cleaning and simple operation. Thanks to their timeless design, they fit perfectly into any kitchen, where they provide fresh air and a clear view.
BORA employs over 500 people, primarily at its sites in Raubling, Niederndorf and Sydney as well as in its flagship stores in Munich and Herford, and sells its products in over 60 countries worldwide.
Back in 2009, the company received its first award within the scope of the innovation contest 365 Orte im Land der Ideen, followed by the Deutscher Gründerpreis and numerous Red Dot Awards, Plus X Awards, German Design Awards, Iconic Awards, German Brand Awards, Good Design Awards and iF Design Awards, among others
Miele induction hobs Design Award
Miele induction hobs received two important design awards: the iF Design Award and the RedDot Design Award. Two hobs with an integrated extractor (TwoInOne) and a full-surface induction hob were each double winners.both powerful and quiet in operation. Their reduced design is characterised by the central air intake with a grille set in the ceramic glass screen. This feature, in particular, convinced the jury of the Red Dot Award and allows pots and pans to slide freely. The grille on the rectangular air intake blends in seamlessly with the design of the hob. Depending on the model, the grille is either completely black (KMDA 7272 Silence) or has discreet brushed stainless-steel slats (KMDA 7473 Silence).
A further recipient of the iF and the Red Dot design prize was the KM 7897-1 FL Diamond full-surface induction hob. As many as 6 pots, pans and oven dishes can be placed anywhere on the 90 cm wide hob unit and move around freely. This guarantees untold freedom during cooking. Moreover, the ceramic screen on the hob unit features a special coating: DiamondFinish is one of the hardest surfaces on the market and hence particularly scratch-resistant
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