Eighth sustainability report published / 15 strategic targets redefined / further increase in energy efficiency

Since 2000, Miele has more than halved the electricity and water consumption of its appliances – and the family-owned company has made consistent progress on issues such as corporate environmental protection. What this means in terms of numbers is illustrated by the 2017 Sustainability Report which Miele has published today. It carries the title 'Partner for Generations', is 250 pages long and is available as a PDF download.

Miele tests its products to last up to 20 years; spare parts are available for 15 years after the discontinuation of production, and, at the end of a long machine life, domestic washing machines, to name but one example, contain up to 85% recyclable materials. With its attitude towards sustainable product design, Miele sets itself clearly apart from other manufacturers – to the benefit of customers and the environment alike. A study conducted by the Öko Institut provides confirmation: Using an energy-efficient Miele machine for as long as possible makes sense from an environmental point of view.

Responsible management, now in the hands of fourth-generation representatives of the proprietor families, starts long before products leave the factory gates. More and more, the focus is on encouraging suppliers to assume their responsibility towards individuals and the environment. This is done by demanding compliance with valid environmental and social standards. This also includes the elimination of corruption and guaranteeing humane working hours and fair pay. The Sustainability Report describes just how complex these processes are and the lengths to which Miele goes.

A key role in implementing sustainable principles at Miele is played by the company's current 19,400 employees, of which 10,800 are employed in Germany. Important challenges for the company include succession assurance and the qualification of employees as well as promoting the concept of a work/life balance.

Miele is expanding its health management facilities, from optimising workplaces from an ergonomic perspective right through to offering special services with a focus on nutrition. Family-friendly working conditions are high on the Miele agenda: During the period under review, Miele embarked on the construction of a workplace nursery at Central Headquarters in Gütersloh.

Miele is also striving towards occupying a leading position within its branch of industry in terms of environmental protection at its various production locations. This applies to all twelve plants, of which eight are in Germany and one each are located in Austria, the Czech Republic, Romania and China. In this area, energy-related CO2 emissions have already been cut since 2000 by more than 50%. By 2025, energy consumption at production plants is to be reduced by a further 8%, combined with a commensurate reduction in CO2 emissions.

In all, 93% of the targets Miele set itself were achieved during the 2014 to 2016 period under review. These include, for example, a reduction in specific energy consumption per product tonnage and the recertification of all plants according to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, OHSAS 18001 and SA8000. Furthermore, 15 long-term overarching goals were defined as part of the sustainability strategy through to 2025. Confirmation and further incentive was provided by the National German Sustainability Award in 2014.

The 2017 Sustainability Report has been compiled according to Global Reporting Initiative guidelines and is primarily aimed at experts in NGOs, associations, the body scientific, politics, administration and media. It is designed as an e-paper and subdivides into sections entitled 'Products', 'Environment', 'People', 'Supply chain' and 'Strategy'. In contrast, the new website on sustainability at Miele, launched concurrently with the report, is above all designed with the interests of consumers and dealers in mind. A PDF copy of the report, downloads and the website is available in German and English by pointing your browser at www.miele.com/nachhaltigkeit and www.miele.com/sustainability.
 

(638 words, 4,228 characters, incl. spaces)
 

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. 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 Miele company, founded in 1899, has 8 production plants in Germany as well as one plant each in Austria, the Czech Republic, China and Romania. 2015/16 turnover amounted to approx. EUR 3.71 bn with sales outside Germany accounting for around 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 around 19,400, 10,800 thereof in Germany. The company headquarters are located in Gütersloh/Westphalia, Germany.