Press releases

Miele publishes 2015 Sustainability Report

Gütersloh, August 6, 2015 No. 107/2015

Energy consumption reduced by 18% since 2000 / 63% of all washing machines with A+++ rating / First report compiled according to GRI G4 standard.

With its 2015 Sustainability Report, released online today by Miele, the manufacturer of domestic appliances is treading new ground in two respects: This is the first Miele report to be published solely on the Internet and is also compiled in accordance with the new G4 reporting standard for the first time. 'In doing so, Miele is living up to its own self-imposed standards of maximum transparency and precision in its reporting', says Dr Eduard Sailer, Executive Director responsible for technology, on presenting the report to the press at the company's Gütersloh headquarters. 

Durable products, the significance of further training and the advancement of staff, environmental protection in production and the company's long-term outlook – these are the key aspects of sustainability at Miele. And some of the reasons why the Gütersloh-based, family-owned company was awarded the 2014 German Sustainability Prize. 'Our new sustainability report provides an insight into how these and other aspects are put into practice and developed on an everyday basis at Miele', says Dr Sailer.

The 2015 Sustainability Report meets the new and challenging G4 reporting standard laid down by the Global Reporting Initiative GRI. The structure of the report closely follows the company's value creation chain, from the procurement of materials and components, through production and logistics to recycling and end-of-life disposal. At each stage, reporting focuses on the basic approach, measures, objectives and how they are achieved, including a documentation of all key facts and figures. For the first time, the complete report is exclusively made available online – in a fresh, new layout enhanced to bring it in line with the company's website (www.miele-nachhaltigkeit.de).

One core area is the proverbial longevity and dependability of Miele appliances which, across the board, demonstrate superb energy efficiency.

As a result, 63% of all Miele washing machines fall into the highest A+++ energy efficiency category or even overachieve by as much as 40%. Similarly, tumble dryers, dishwashers and refrigeration products demonstrated an increase in the number of models in the top energy efficiency brackets. Depending on the product category, this can be as high as 67%.

Production plants, too, have cleaned up an already clean act. As part of corporate environmental protection, energy consumption in total as well as energy consumption per tonne of product has fallen. In the 2013/14 business year, the figures dropped by 8.1% and 9.8% respectively. All European locations are now certified according to the ISO 50001 international energy management standard. 'This was accompanied by numerous efficiency measures', claims Hubert Hermelingmeier, energy manager with Miele. Take, say, the energy-efficient building supplies and lighting in a new office wing at the company headquarters in Gütersloh which save 2,860,000 kWh per annum. The CO2 cuts achieved, no less than 535,000 kg/a, equate to the emissions of 420 single-family homes.

Although the company's energy consumption has been reduced by over 18% corresponding to 57% lower CO2 emissions since 2000, the reference year, Miele intends to continue its efforts to make further savings. The new target is to reduce CO2 emissions by a further 3% by 2016. Other goals include a reduction in production waste by 15% and an increase in the use of secondary (recycled) raw materials.

Environmental and social standards in the supply chain are at the focus of supplier management. In the 2015 Sustainability Report, the company describes its increased efforts in the selection and monitoring of suppliers and addresses the challenges inherent in sourcing raw materials. A key role in this respect is the implementation of the SA8000 international social standard which places binding obligations on Miele suppliers. These include shunning child and forced labour and embracing basis employment rights.

Miele itself has been fully compliant with SA8000 since 2004 and is the only domestic appliance manufacturer in Germany to be officially certified. The family-run company has been a member of the UN Global Compact, an initiative promoting sustainability in businesses, for the same length of time.

Furthermore, Miele subscribed in 2012 to the government's Diversity Charta aimed at promoting cultural diversity and equal opportunities in companies.

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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. 2013/14 turnover amounted to approx. EUR 3.22 bn with sales outside Germany accounting for 70%. Miele is represented with its own sales subsidiaries and via importers in almost 100 countries. Throughout the world, the company, now in fourth-generation ownership, employs a workforce of 17,660, thereof 10,411 in Germany. The company headquarters are located in Gütersloh/Westphalia, Germany.

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Ursula Wilms
+ 49 5241 89-1958
ursula.wilms@miele.com

Media information

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Miele's 2015 Sustainability Report is available by pointing your browser at the following link: www.miele-nachhaltigkeit.de.

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The company's value creation chain provides structure and orientation to the Miele 2015 Sustainability Report. 

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Dr Eduard Sailer, Executive Director, responsible for technological issues with the Miele Group. 

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Hubert Hermelingmeier, chief energy management officer at Miele. 

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