Technology and service from one single source: Sample projects from three countries

Washing machines and tumble dryers from Miele Professional are incredibly robust, fast and easy to operate – and are ideally suited for use in coin-op launderettes. In many countries, smaller companies and larger chains place their trust in Miele. Not only do they source their machines from Miele but they are also assured of a comprehensive support package. This begins with meticulous planning and the training of staff through to service and maintenance in proverbial Miele quality. Our journey through Europe takes us to Italy, Spain and Portugal:

'Washing and more': This is how Lava Più, the name given to more than 600 Miele launderettes which have opened throughout Italy since 2006, translates. At each location, 7 to 12 Miele machines with load capacities of between 6.5 kg and 13 kg are in use. Depending on the situation on site, the dryers are either gas-heated to save on energy costs or electrically heated. Lava Più provides a choice of 6 detergents in order to achieve convincing wash results and match the type of fabric and the degree of soiling. This chain of stores, whose red-and-white livery has rapidly become a spontaneously recognised logo, continues to grow. 'Our success is not least attributable to our close cooperation with Miele Italy', says Claudio Branz, Managing Director of the operator Lava Più S.R.L., whose experts were intimately involved in both planning and practical implementation.

Miele Professional offers customers in several countries its expertise through cooperations with partners such as Lava Più. The choice of machines and accessories is preceded by in-depth advisory services ranging from selecting a location to the technical equipment required. This also involves exploring all available potential for cutting electricity costs, for example through the use of alternative sources of energy, above all on tumble dryers.

There are also compelling technical reasons for washing with Miele. These machines are capable of washing far more than, say, standard bed linen or Turkish towelling; they offer ample space for duvets and even allow hiking wear to be reproofed using special-purpose programmes. The display which shows programme stages in a variety of languages simplifies operation. And the patented Miele honeycomb drum ensures that textiles look as good as new even after many washing and drying cycles. All Miele machines can be connected to payment systems readily available on the open market – for use with coins, tokens or even debit and credit cards.

Launderettes with equipment from Miele Professional are also successful on the Iberian peninsula where Miele machines guarantee satisfied customers in more than 130 businesses, offering operators great cost-efficiency. Portugal has had Miele launderettes for many years; the first one opened in the Lisbon area in June 2011 – again with the wide-ranging support of Miele Portugal. More than 100 operations have sprung up throughout the country since those early days. Paulo Silva, Professional Manager with Miele Portugal: 'We offer our customers a comprehensive range of services from a single source: From planning a new launderette to overseeing all installation work performed by our senior service engineers through to machine commissioning and maintenance'.

(534 words, 3,467 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. 2014/15 turnover amounted to approx. EUR 3.5 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 17,740, 10,350 thereof in Germany. The company headquarters are located in Gütersloh/Westphalia, Germany.