Chancellor visits Miele in Gütersloh/ 'Staff a huge asset'

In-depth discussions with Senior Management and representatives of the Works Council, a sneak preview of new products and features still under wraps and to be unveiled at IFA and a brief guided tour of final assembly facilities: These were the cornerstones of today's visit by the German Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel to the domestic appliance manufacturer Miele in Gütersloh.

In the private and confidential opening round of discussions, the focus was clearly on the values and strategies of the family-owned Miele company but the opportunities and challenges presented by international competition were also broached. Afterwards, the Chancellor announced: 'We must ensure that energy costs remain affordable'. Once again, she stressed that the German government would not increase taxes. Exclusive Miele technologies to network domestic appliances with on-roof PV or solar-thermal technology were met with special interest.

During the shop floor walking tour, Angela Merkel was enthusiastically celebrated by Miele employees as she shook countless hands and spontaneously engaged in conversation with staff on the productions lines and at other points during her stay on factory premises. On a personal note, Merkel has had 'excellent ties with Miele since childhood': 'Even in the former GDR, I grew up with a Miele vacuum cleaner'. Furthermore, her father, during his time as a student of theology in Bethel near Bielefeld, worked at Miele to earn the money for her parents' wedding rings.

Everyone knows Miele but it is nevertheless interesting to see the power of innovation which drives such a company. These were the words with which Chancellor Merkel began her résumé before leaving Gütersloh again in a Federal Police helicopter after having spent a good 90 minutes in discussions. And: 'This company has deep roots in the region and the people who work here are one of the truly great assets of Miele.'

(275 words, 2020 characters incl. spaces)

Company profile: Miele is the world leader in the field of premium domestic appliances including cooking, baking and steam-cooking appliances, refrigeration products, coffee makers, dishwashers and laundry and floorcare products. This line-up is augmented by dishwashers, washer-extractors and tumble dryers for commercial use as well as washer-disinfectors and sterilisers for use in medical and laboratory applications (Miele Professional). The company, founded in 1899, has 8 production plants in Germany and one plant each in Austria, the Czech Republic, China and Romania. 2011/12 turnover amounted to approx. EUR 3.04 bn with sales outside Germany accounting for 70%. Miele is represented with its own sales subsidiaries and via importers in almost 100 countries. The Miele company, now in the fourth generation of family ownership, employs a workforce of oven 16,700 with two-thirds in Germany. The company headquarters are located in Gütersloh/Westphalia, Germany.