Gütersloh/Oelde (gl) – Gütersloh-based appliance manufacturer Miele is increasing its production capacity. The family-owned company plans to build its first factory in the Americas, the company announced Wednesday. Cookers and ovens for the US, Canada and Mexico are to be manufactured there. For Miele, it is the eighth production site outside Germany, with a total of 16 factories.
There are restrictions on the above locations
According to the announcement, the “Kitchen Business Unit”, which includes ovens and hobs, has been one of the most important growth drivers for the Miele Group over the years – most recently with sales of more than 1.1 billion euros and growth of almost 13 percent. .
“We are planning more quantities for the coming years as well,” says Head Chef Dr. Uwe Brunkhorst. “And so we are reaching the limits of our capabilities with our previous production sites in Arnsberg, Bünde and Oelde.”
Multiple reasons for expansion
The group employs a total of around 1,650 people in these three plants. In Oelde-Lett alone there are around 670 employees producing cookers, ovens and Dialogue cookers.
According to Miele, there are several reasons for the decision to also produce in the USA in the future. “The United States is Miele’s largest market outside of Germany, with significant growth rates recently, but also great potential,” says Dr. Axel Kniehl, Miele’s managing director of marketing and sales. Local production is therefore a logical step and sends a strong signal to customers there.
The environmental factor stands out
In addition, it saves equipment transport across the Atlantic. “This reduces the current delivery period from ten to ten weeks to a few days and at the same time eases the burden on the climate,” says Dr. Stefan Breit, Managing Director Technology. In order to save more CO2, most of the supplier’s parts should also come from the USA.
As a first step, Miele will produce 30-inch ovens and spacious, versatile cooktops at its new plant, both designed specifically for North America. Large format extractors will be added later. Production is planned for the end of 2024, with 150 employees by the end of 2025.
They say the decision on the exact location will be made and announced in the coming months. It will be analyzed later what a second expansion stage could look like, looking at more product groups and the staff needed for them.
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