Miele
German family-owned manufacturer of premium domestic appliances and professional equipment.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Miele is a German manufacturer of premium domestic appliances and commercial equipment. Founded in 1899 by Carl Miele and Reinhard Zinkann, the company began with agricultural and household machinery, including cream separators, butter churns and washing machines. It has remained family-owned and family-run, with ownership divided between the Miele and Zinkann families. The Miele family holds 51.1% and the Zinkann family 48.9%, according to the company history summarized in the English-language Wikipedia article. The brand is associated with long product lifecycles, engineering quality, understated design and a premium retail position. Its principal domestic categories include washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, ovens, steam ovens, speed ovens, hobs, cooker hoods, refrigerators, freezers, wine conditioning units and coffee systems. Miele also supplies professional equipment for commercial laundry, medical and dental reprocessing, laboratory cleaning and other institutional applications. This combination of household and professional products gives the company a broader equipment portfolio than a purely consumer-appliance brand. Miele expanded beyond its original machinery business during the twentieth century. It entered vacuum-cleaner production in 1927 and introduced what the company describes as Europe’s first electric dishwasher in 1929. The business also produced bicycles, motorcycles and a limited number of motorcars during earlier periods. Product development later concentrated increasingly on domestic appliances, with notable innovations in automatic washing, drying, dishwasher loading, electronic controls, appliance networking and built-in kitchen equipment. Miele’s W1 washing-machine and T1 tumble-dryer families, introduced in 2013, became prominent modern product lines, while the Dialog Oven, launched in 2017 with M Chef technology, represented an effort to extend the brand into advanced connected cooking. The company operates internationally and has maintained subsidiaries and market organizations across Europe, North America and Asia. Its United States expansion began in 1983, followed by the establishment of corporate headquarters in Somerset, New Jersey, and relocation to Princeton in 1999. Miele products are manufactured in several European countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Romania. A vacuum-cleaner facility in Dongguan, China, initially created as a joint venture with Melitta in 1996, became wholly owned by Miele in 2009. Miele’s positioning is built around the promise of continuous improvement, expressed by the German slogan “Immer besser,” meaning “always better.” The brand generally competes in the high-end appliance segment rather than pursuing mass-market volume. In North America, its competitive set has included premium appliance names such as Sub-Zero, Wolf, Gaggenau, Viking, Thermador, Asko and JennAir. Recognition from consumer and brand-ranking organizations has reinforced its premium reputation, although such awards represent historical assessments rather than a current independent performance claim. The company’s history also includes a serious wartime legacy. During the Second World War, Miele manufactured armaments for the German war effort, including torpedoes, mines and grenades, and used forced labor. Historical accounts cited in the Wikipedia article state that armaments represented most of the company’s revenue by 1944. This is an important part of the brand’s corporate history and should be considered alongside its postwar emphasis on engineering, household durability and international growth.
History
Miele & Cie. was established in 1899 in Germany by Carl Miele and Reinhard Zinkann. Its first products were agricultural and domestic machines, including cream separators, butter churns and tub washing machines sold under the Meteor name. Miele combined Carl Miele’s manufacturing supervision with Zinkann’s responsibility for finance and sales. From its foundation, the Miele name was used across machines, nameplates, printed materials and advertising. The company diversified during the early twentieth century. It made motorcars between 1912 and 1914, producing approximately 125 vehicles, and manufactured bicycles and motorcycles for much of the period from 1924 to 1960. By 1932, it had become Europe’s largest centrifuge manufacturer. The company entered vacuum cleaners in 1927 and introduced an electric dishwasher in 1929. Its household-appliance range subsequently expanded through washing, drying, cooking and kitchen equipment. Miele’s wartime history is a major part of its corporate record. During the Second World War, it manufactured military matériel including torpedoes, mines and grenades for the German war effort. It also used forced labor. The historical account summarized in the English Wikipedia article indicates that armaments represented about 95% of revenue by 1944. This legacy distinguishes Miele’s history from a purely consumer-oriented narrative and is relevant to any complete account of the company. After the war, Miele returned its emphasis to household and commercial equipment. It introduced a fully automatic washing machine in 1956, a domestic tumble dryer in 1958 and a humidity-sensing dryer in 1966. The company continued investing in appliance controls, drum design, spin speed, dishwasher loading and integrated kitchen products. In 1978 it introduced microprocessor-controlled washing machines, dryers and dishwashers. Later developments included the Hydromatic washing drum, Novotronic electronic controls, a dishwasher cutlery tray and the SoftCare honeycomb drum. The company developed its international network through subsidiaries and market expansion. It entered the United Kingdom in 1963 and the United States in 1983. Its American organization first operated from Somerset, New Jersey, before moving to a new Princeton headquarters in 1999. Miele also established a joint venture with Melitta in Dongguan, China, in 1996; the facility became wholly owned by Miele in 2009 and became important to vacuum-cleaner manufacturing. The company has been represented in dozens of countries and manufactures products across a network that includes Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Romania and China. Miele acquired professional-appliance manufacturer Cordes in 1988 and took over kitchen-appliance manufacturer Imperial in 1990. It later launched built-in coffee systems, connected-appliance features and new premium laundry platforms. The W1 washing-machine and T1 tumble-dryer series appeared in 2013. In 2017, Miele introduced the Dialog Oven with M Chef technology, extending its innovation program into automated cooking. In 2025, the W2 and T2 washing-machine and tumble-dryer generations were announced. The brand’s enduring identity is expressed through the German slogan “Immer besser,” or “always better.” Its international reputation rests on premium pricing, engineering, durability and a controlled product experience. Miele remains a privately held, family-owned and family-run business rather than a publicly traded appliance conglomerate.
- 2025
W2 and T2 generations launched
[1]Miele launches the W2 and T2 generations of washing machines and tumble dryers.
- 2017
Dialog Oven launched
[1]The Dialog Oven debuts with M Chef technology and automated menu cooking.
- 2013
W1 and T1 series launched
[1]Miele introduces the W1 washing-machine and T1 tumble-dryer families.
- 2001
SoftCare drum introduced
[1]Miele launches a patented honeycomb-pattern washing-machine drum marketed as SoftCare.
- 1999
American headquarters relocates to Princeton
[1]Miele moves its United States headquarters from Somerset to Princeton, New Jersey.
- 1996
Dongguan joint venture established
[1]Miele and Melitta establish a vacuum-cleaner manufacturing facility in Dongguan, China.
- 1990
Imperial acquired
[1]Miele takes over kitchen-appliance manufacturer Imperial.
- 1988
Cordes acquired
[1]Miele acquires the professional-appliance manufacturer Cordes.
- 1987
Dishwasher cutlery tray introduced
[1]Miele launches a dishwasher fitted with a dedicated cutlery tray, identified in the source as the G 595 SC.
- 1983
United States expansion
[1]Miele establishes its American corporate organization in Somerset, New Jersey.
Products and positioning
Premium and high-end appliances emphasizing engineering, durability, product longevity, restrained design, serviceability and continuous technical improvement.
Laundry appliances · 2013
W1 washing machines
The W1 family is Miele’s premium front-loading washing-machine platform introduced in 2013. It represents the company’s focus on controlled washing programs, high-speed spinning, electronic operation and long-term appliance engineering. The range is positioned for household users seeking a premium alternative to mass-market laundry equipment.
Laundry appliances · 2013
T1 tumble dryers
The T1 family is Miele’s premium tumble-dryer platform introduced alongside W1. It builds on the company’s earlier work in humidity sensing and electronically controlled drying. T1 models are designed to complement W1 washing machines and occupy the upper end of the domestic laundry market.
Laundry appliances · 2025
W2 and T2
W2 washing machines and T2 tumble dryers are a newer generation of Miele laundry appliances launched in 2025. The reference material identifies the generation and launch year but does not provide a complete specification or market-by-market model list.
Floorcare · 1927
Miele vacuum cleaners
Miele’s vacuum-cleaner portfolio dates to 1927 and includes canister and other household formats. Models associated with the Dongguan production facility include Swing H1, Compact C1, Compact C2 and Complete C2. The category is one of the company’s established international product businesses.
Kitchen appliances · 1929
Miele dishwashers
Miele dishwashers form a major part of its built-in and freestanding kitchen range. The company introduced an electric dishwasher in 1929 and later developed features such as microprocessor controls, dedicated cutlery trays and successive G-series platforms.
Cooking appliances · 2017
Miele Dialog Oven
The Dialog Oven was introduced in 2017 with M Chef technology and automated menu cooking. It represents Miele’s attempt to combine advanced cooking control with a premium built-in appliance format. The reference material does not specify its current availability in every market.
Kitchen appliances · 1998
Miele coffee systems
Miele produces built-in and other domestic coffee systems. Its first fully automatic built-in coffee maker, identified in the historical material as the CVA 620, was introduced in 1998. Coffee systems extend the brand’s premium kitchen offering beyond cooking and refrigeration.
Commercial and institutional equipment
Miele Professional equipment
Miele Professional supplies equipment for commercial laundry and specialist cleaning applications. The portfolio includes wet-cleaning machines, laboratory glassware washers, dental disinfectors and washer-disinfectors for medical environments. These products serve institutional and professional users rather than ordinary household buyers.
Controversies
2021
Businessman sues Miele over alleged washing-machine damage
Businessman Erol Aydin is suing Miele, alleging that his washing machine damaged his clothes and seeking compensation. The article reports the claim but no court determination.
1940
Wartime armaments production and forced labor
During the Second World War, Miele produced torpedoes, mines and grenades for the German war effort and used forced labor. The historical account cited by Wikipedia states that armaments represented approximately 95% of company revenue by 1944. The broad wartime period is used because the available reference does not provide a single more precise start year.
Brand decisions
2025
W2 and T2 laundry generationsGeneration changeBackground
Miele continued to refresh its core laundry portfolio after the W1 and T1 generation.
Action taken
The company launched W2 washing machines and T2 tumble dryers.
2017
Dialog Oven with M Chef technologyProduct launchBackground
Miele pursued higher-value built-in cooking products and software-assisted preparation.
Action taken
The company launched the Dialog Oven with automated menu cooking and M Chef technology.
Aftermath
The launch expanded Miele’s premium innovation narrative into advanced cooking appliances.
2013
W1 and T1 laundry platformsGeneration changeBackground
Miele periodically refreshes its premium laundry portfolio around new control, efficiency and appliance-design features.
Action taken
The company launched the W1 washing-machine and T1 tumble-dryer series.
Aftermath
The two families became central modern platforms in Miele’s domestic laundry offering.
1996
Dongguan manufacturing joint ventureM&ABackground
Miele needed additional production capacity for its expanding vacuum-cleaner business.
Action taken
Miele and Melitta established a manufacturing joint venture in Dongguan, China.
Aftermath
Miele later acquired full ownership of the facility in 2009, after which it became an important vacuum-cleaner production site.
1927
Entry into vacuum cleanersProduct launchBackground
Miele sought to broaden its household-appliance business beyond its earlier agricultural and washing machinery.
Action taken
The company began producing vacuum cleaners.
Aftermath
Vacuum cleaners became one of Miele’s long-running international product categories.
Recent events
Miele Scout RX3 robotic vacuum cleaner launches in Romania[4]
Reported:
Miele launched the third generation of its Scout RX3 robotic vacuum cleaner, which has been available in Romania since September 2021.
Businessman sues Miele over alleged washing-machine damage[3]
Reported:
Businessman Erol Aydin is suing Miele, alleging that his washing machine damaged his clothes and seeking compensation. The article reports the claim but no court determination.
Sources4 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/miele · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled