July 1 officially marked 125 years of Miele as the company celebrates over a century of innovation and rich history to now operating in 49 countries and over 200 brand stores, including 17 Miele Experience Centres in Australia and New Zealand.
The family-owned business, guided by the enduring principles of its founders and promise of ‘Immer Besser’ – Forever Better, reflects on the influence its history has had on the business and the appliances it is known for.
On 1 July 1899, engineer Carl Miele senior and businessman, Reinhard Zinkann founded Miele & Cie. with a vision and first breakthrough product, a cream separator. From its humble beginnings in a former grain mill, the company relocated its headquarters to Gütersloh in 1907, setting the stage for expansive growth and innovation.
Early pioneers of social responsibility, Miele introduced one of Germany’s first company health insurance schemes in 1909. This commitment to social welfare has since expanded to encompass initiatives in environmental sustainability, exemplified by the longevity and energy efficiency of its appliances.
Initially focused on agricultural equipment, Miele diversified its portfolio over the decades, venturing into household appliances with the introduction of washing machines in 1901 and Europe’s first electric dishwasher in 1929.
In 1987, Miele set new standards in dishwasher loading convenience with the patented Miele cutlery drawer – followed by laundry care in 2001 with the patented Miele honeycomb drum. In 1998, Miele paved the way for intelligent domestic appliances with the InfoControl function, which uses a compact radio receiver (pager) to signal the end of a washing machine or tumble dryer program. This is followed by the first automatic control of the hood via the hob 10 years later.
Today, the company offers solutions in kitchen, laundry, and floorcare with an emphasis on smart home technology and sustainability, including local partnerships with Green Building Council Australia and Greenfleet.
“In what is a remarkable milestone, I am deeply honoured to celebrate Miele’s 125- year legacy alongside colleagues worldwide. Our commitment to ‘Immer Besser’ – Forever Better, permeates everything we undertake, and our teams have embraced the chance to commemorate our storied history and the milestones we’ve achieved so far,” Miele Australia and New Zealand managing director, Yves Dalcourt said.
Miele looks forward to continuing to set industry standards and supporting the planet for generations to come. Sustainability continues to be woven into every aspect of the business’ operations, with the company now employing hybrid vehicles which has reduced its fuel consumption by 25%. It has also reduced its ecological footprint by 51% since 2019 and achieved 100% green electricity and carbon neutral operations across all sites.