'The New Benchmark Machines', connectivity-enabled laundry machines from Miele are allrounders but, where necessary, specialists: Washing machines for loads of 12 to 20 kg and dryers with matching load capacities. These commercial machines are ideal for efficiently organising everyday work.

Flagship models from the Performance Plus series are recognisable at a glance by their stunning stainless-steel fronts. They weigh in with more than 90 wash programmes grouped in packages for specific types of users. These include special-purpose cycles for workwear from a range of professions, domestic-type clothing such as shirts and WetCare programmes for an aqueous wash, catering for garments labelled non-washable. Features also include two programmes for the RKI-compliant disinfection of laundry from retirement homes. The 'Performance' series with their iron grey fronts now offers 38 programmes – more than twice the previous number. These, for instance, include programmes for bedding and curtains, a programme package for hotels, restaurants and canteens, as well as outdoor and sports programmes.

The heart and soul of the new machines are new controls which allow customisation of all programmes. Depending on the application, the full touch colour display can, say, be set to offer a full complement of programmes and parameters or to be incredibly simple – in more than 30 languages. The smooth, easy-to-clean display even responds to gloved hands.

All models can be connected to the Miele MOVE portal. This allows laundry operators and trained members of staff to, say, browse operating data, provides fast access to Miele Service and notifies users on their mobile devices when a machine is ready for unloading (cf. Press release no. 103/2022).

Door locked at the touch of a fingertip

The models from both series simplify everyday work. The washing machine door is closed at the touch of a fingertip. It then locks automatically at the start of a programme and opens once again when the cycle is complete. The three-dimensional imbalance monitoring system reliably ensures consistent residual moisture levels. As well as this, it reduces the strain on the suspension system and drum bearings – a significant factor in washing machines achieving long service lives. Integrated automatic load control adjusts water intake to the load in hand, simultaneously aligning cycle times and consumption with less-than-full loads.

The shortest cycle on Performance Plus washing machines uses a mere 5.9 l of water per kilogramme of laundry and is finished in only 42 minutes. Residual moisture is only 44%, saving valuable resources in the subsequent drying process – for example in the largest dryer with electric heating with a load capacity of 44 kg. Cycle times on these models have been reduced in comparison to their predecessors by up to 10%.

A percentage of process air from the dryer is returned to the drum by Air Recycling Flex, a further development on Miele's previous AirRecycling Plus system. The air paths inside the unit are dynamically regulated by smart controls to suit current operating conditions. This ensures perfect drying results combined with low energy consumption, shorter drying cycles and the gentler treatment of fabrics. Cycle times are reduced approximately by a further 4%.

Optimised cycles also boost the durability of all models. As on previous series, this generation makes exclusive use of high-quality materials such as stainless steel and cast iron able to live up to the constant high levels of strain in commercial laundries. These washing machines passed endurance tests to ensure 30,000 and 20,000 hours of operation for washing machines and dryers respectively.

Company profile: Miele is the world's leading manufacturer of premium domestic appliances including cooking, baking and steam-cooking appliances, refrigeration products, coffee makers, dishwashers and laundry and floor care products. Their product portfolio also includes dishwashers, air purifiers, washing machines and tumble dryers for commercial use as well as washer-disinfectors and sterilisers for use in medical and laboratory applications. Founded in 1899, the company has eight production plants in Germany, one each in Austria, the Czech Republic, China, Romania and Poland as well as two production plants belonging to its Italian medical technology subsidiary Steelco. Sales in the 2021 business year amounted to around € 4.84 bn. Miele is represented with its own sales subsidiaries and via importers in almost 100 countries/regions. Throughout the world, the family-run enterprise, now in its fourth generation, employs a workforce of around 22,300, of which approx. 11,200 employees work in Germany. The company has its headquarters in Gütersloh in Westphalia.