Miele on the up again after job cuts
Business
The managers of the Miele factory in Bürmoos (Flachgau) are optimistic again after major restructuring and the loss of 80 jobs. The reorganization was necessary because in 2017 Miele bundled the medical technology division in northern Italy after taking over the Steelco Group. As a result, Bürmoos lost an important mainstay.
Eight million euros were invested in Bürmoos to make this plant fit for the future. “We have positioned ourselves as a supplier of high-quality stainless steel components for other Miele plants,” said plant manager Hendrik Wermers on Friday at a press conference on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the production site.
During the restructuring, 80 people lost their jobs. There are now 200 jobs left at the plant. In a four-year process, it had to compensate for the discontinuation of the medical technology product line and at the same time “improve the cost structures”, as managers call the dismissals of workers.
Stainless steel continues to boom
The entire production was reorganized with a strong focus on automation, the core competence remained high-quality stainless steel components. Bürmoos not only believes half of all Miele plants with components for dishwashers, washing machines or dryers, but also brought the production of a top heat grill from the new Miele subsidiary Otto Wilde Grillers from Düsseldorf to Flachgau. “A picture book story,” said Wermers happily about the additional mainstay. Around 10,000 of these grills are currently manufactured each year. The manager is optimistic that this can still be improved.
Targeting new business areas
Another mainstay in Bürmoos are baskets and inserts for cleaning, disinfection or sterilization devices as well as assemblies for medical and laboratory technology, which are supplied to Steelco. As a supplier, you are now benefiting from the growth in this area, Wermers explained. He also wants to increase new business for the plant in the future – new business areas are emerging as part of Miele’s growth program. Wherever there are interesting segments, you will apply for them.
Miele quickly offers 22,000 jobs worldwide
“We are in a phase of personnel expansion,” said Wermers. The plant currently employs 220 people. The manager is convinced that Bürmoos is better positioned today thanks to the various pillars than before the restructuring.
The family-run Miele Group, headquartered in Gütersloh in Germany, employs 21,900 people worldwide and achieved sales of around EUR 4.84 billion in 2021. The Austrian sales and service company based in Salzburg achieved sales of EUR 247.2 million in 2021, the Bürmoos plant generated EUR 32.3 million, um.
