Based in Gütersloh, Germany, the Miele Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of commercial and residential appliances. However, it didn’t start out that way. Founded in 1899 by Carl Miele and Reinhard Zinkann, the company initially made cream separators for the dairy industry. Over the years, the company has manufactured butter churns, hand carts, bicycles and even automobiles.
Today, the company is still family-owned and operated, but its focus is strictly on appliances: stoves, ovens, range hoods, refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, vacuum cleaners and coffee makers. The company also makes machines for cleaning and sterilizing medical instruments and laboratory equipment.