Miele Publishes 2015 Sustainability Report

With its 2015 Sustainability Report, released online by Miele, the world’s largest family owned and operated appliance manufacturer: 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. These aspects are also 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.

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 ton 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 year. The CO2 cuts achieved, no less than 535,000 kg/yr, 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 labor 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.

Please Click Here to view the 2015 Sustainability Report.

About Miele
Founded in Germany in 1899 with a single promise of Immer Besser, a phrase meaning Forever Better, Miele has dynamically grown to become the world’s largest family-owned and operated appliance company with more than 16,600 employees, 12 production facilities and representation in nearly 100 countries. As a premium appliance brand represented on all continents, Miele is steadfastly committed to the highest quality, performance and environmental standards. Miele’s range of exceptional consumer appliances includes: vacuum cleaners; laundry systems; rotary irons; dishwashers; ranges; built-in convection, speed, steam and combi-steam ovens; cooktops; ventilation hoods; refrigeration; wine storage and espresso/coffee systems.

To learn more, visit www.mieleusa.com, www.facebook.com/mieleus, www.youtube.com/mieleus and follow us @MieleUSA.

Download as PDF Download including media (zip)
Your contact person

Kevin Pchola
800.843.7231 x 2548
mielepr@mieleusa.com