Miele records 12% growth / Sales in 2005/2006 fiscal year total EUR 2.54 bn / Market leadership as premium brand consolidated

Gütersloh (ots) - During the past reporting period, the
family-owned Miele company succeeded in expanding its position
throughout the world as unchallenged market leader and premium
marque. The five-strong Miele board of management is proud to present
record results for the 2005/2006 financial year ending June 30. Miele
group turnover grew by over 12% to EUR 2.54 bn compared with EUR 2.26
bn in the previous year. According to Horst Schübel, board member
responsible for Finances, Controlling and Administration at Miele
Central Headquarters, "this represents the highest turnover ever
achieved throughout the company's history. During the past year,
Miele managed to grow sales by EUR 280 m." The ratio of home market
sales to exports has remained constant at 30% (Germany) and 70%
(abroad).

Miele's start into the new financial year is marked with optimism.
Miele management expects "dynamic growth to continue apace", based on
a strategy to produce sustainable expansion worldwide in all
divisions of the company. The focus is on new products, exploiting
the market potential in the 37 countries in which Miele is already
represented with its own subsidiary, and on establishing new markets.

Turnover outside Germany in the same period grew by almost 14% to
EUR 1.77 bn. The greatest potential for turnover growth, in percent,
is currently coming from Russia and the CIS states as well as the
whole of Eastern Europe in general - from the Czech Republic to
Hungary and Poland. Miele's traditional overseas subsidiaries in
Australia, Japan, the US, Canada and South Africa also reported
double-digit growth. Excellent progress was also made in new overseas
markets from Hong Kong, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates to
Mexico.

Miele subsidiaries in Scandinavia and Northern Europe had also
obviously firmly set their sights on growth, with Norway, Denmark,
Finland, the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain and Sweden all
turning in high double-digit growth figures. Southern Europe, led by
Spain and Italy, also recorded growth in double digits.

Excellent results were also achieved in traditional Miele markets
bordering on Germany. With a sales share of almost 60%, these
countries, together with Germany, still represent the backbone of the
Miele group. Here, too, Miele is clearly ahead of its competitors in
terms of turnover growth. Miele was able to improve its excellent
position on markets in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and
Switzerland.

The Miele Group invested EUR 135 m in the past business year
compared with EUR 122 m in the previous year, including investments
of over EUR 100 m in Germany. As per June 30, the Miele Group
employed 15,019 persons (14,814 in the previous year). "Although
restructuring measures already initiated at production plants and
Central Headquarters continue to be implemented as a matter of
priority, staffing levels in the Miele Group have nevertheless
increased slightly on account of significant rises in unit output and
work on expanding our worldwide sales organisation", explained Mr.
Schübel. Since it was founded in 1899, the Miele company has been
both run and owned by the Miele and Zinkann families. The board of
management consists of Horst Schübel, responsible for financial and
administrative affairs, Dr. Eduard Sailer, Technology, Dr. Reto
Bazzi, Sales and Marketing, together with Dr. Markus Miele and Dr.
Reinhard Zinkann, fourth-generation representatives of the respective
founding families.

Note:

The text can be downloaded from www.miele-presse.de. This site also
contains a downloadable photograph of board members.

Contact:
Miele & Cie. KG
Public Relations Office
Carl-Miele-Straße 29
33332 Gütersloh
Tel.: +49 (0)5241 89-1953-56
Fax.: +49 (0)5241 89-1950
e-mail: presse@miele.de