A few words about Miele

A few years ago I participated in a survey which was nationally syndicated called “Why do Things Cost so Much?”  This article ran in the newspapers and there was quite a response from the consumer end as they were educated on the features and benefits of these high end items.  In mid August of 1998 I had the privilege to travel to Germany specifically to tour the Miele (pronounced like Sheila) production facilities in Oelde, Gutersloh, and Bielefield and this is my conclusion to the specific question “How come Miele is so expensive?”

Miele has a motto “Immer Besser” which translates to “Forever Better.”  This motto holds true in its quality of manufacturing.  During my tours of the oven, dishwasher, laundry, and vacuum factories I saw first hand the quality control that goes into every piece that comes off the assembly line. I have visited other manufacturers production facilities in the USA and there are far less employees on the assembly and much of the production is automated.  With the extra few people per line, Miele is able to double check quality of the product as it goes down the line.  There are people who even scrutinize the cosmetic detail of the product as it passes their station.  I saw this in action as a worker rejected a washer as it passed by because the control panel was not exactly square on the machine.  All products coming off the assembly are tested, and as one engineer joked that the Miele customer is buying a used machine since they are used once at the factory before being shipped out.  That is why on the washers and dishwashers there is some water residue when they are opened.  In other factories I have toured maybe one out of ten or one out of a hundred are tested.  Every vacuum, oven, dryer, washer, etc. are tested before they go into a box.

Miele produces all its’ own solid state boards which costs the manufacturer more money because it would be cheaper to out source this and therefore they could have fewer employees and not have to have a separate facility to build these boards.  However, by having total control of the solid state components Miele can cure any problem related to the electronics themselves rather than relying on a cheaper and probably less reliable producer (sometimes it is 40 weeks turn around to get boards made by outside sources).

On the Miele dishwasher there are two water checking devices which may save a floor from getting damaged.  Under the bottom of the dishwasher there is a solid pan attached to the machine which if it fills with water from a leaking hose will turn the machine off instead of flood the kitchen.  If water in excess of what is required to fill the machine is detected coming to the machine during the filling mode an electronic sensor in the fill line shuts the machine off. For example the fill float switch sticks and the dishwasher is overflowing from the front or your water is siphoning out of the machines drain due to improper installation or other plumbing problem.  These devices are not on other machines and cost money so, even though they do not go into the washability of the product, they cost more to build and ultimately can save a floor.

Miele makes products for many different countries and each has its’ own electrical requirements as well as size standards.  To accommodate all these different markets the tooling has to be changed for each product.  Changing tooling is an expensive and time consuming and ultimately goes into the price of production.  These costs may be reduced in the future with more automation as some of Miele’s factories are 20 years old now.  However, for the discerning customer who wants the best money can buy, Miele has it for them in their country in their standards.

When touring the vacuum facility I observed that when the mold injected piece comes out of the mold for making vacuum shells there are some plastic scraps left over in the process.  These scraps are deposited in a bin. I asked what happens to these unused plastics.  The reply was that they are recycled by Miele and used over in the production process.  The engineer explained that it would be cheaper to throw them out but then that would not be environmentally friendly.  Yes, that it costs a bit more to do it, but then are we not doing all we can to protect our environment.

Miele may not be for everyone but I believe that when one shops for appliances shouldn’t they be at least shown the best for comparisons sake.  I think Miele should have a slogan “Consider Miele” so as to say, if you want the best we are here to provide the best quality money can buy.