By Craig Zammit

Gütersloh, GERMANY: Global domestic appliance maker, Miele, has reported record sales figures for the third consecutive year, with turnover increasing by almost eight per cent during the 2006/2007 financial year to €2.74 billion ($AU4.4 billion).

According to Miele senior board member for finance, controlling and administration, Horst Schübel, the results represent the highest level of turnover ever achieved throughout the company’s history.

“We will continue in the same direction,” said Schübel.

“We are well equipped to face the challenge of the 2007/2008 fiscal year and, with the aid of many new products, particularly in the built-in sector, to achieve growth levels similar to those of the past business year.”

Unit sales in the domestic appliance categories were also significantly higher for Miele than the 2005/2006 financial year, with sales of ovens, hob units, cooker hoods, steam cookers, microwave ovens and coffee machines all growing, according to Miele.

“Many new models and numerous product improvements resulted in Miele selling over three million major domestic appliances for the first time ever during the 2006/2007 business year. This equates to an increase of more than ten per cent,” said Miele in a statement.

Sales figures put out by Miele revealed laundry-care product sales well in excess of 890,000 units, washing machines at around 385,000 units, dishwasher sales breaking records with almost 600,000 units and vacuum sales topping the two million mark, with sales rising to 2.12 million, representing an increase of 117,000 units.

Miele senior board member for technology, Dr. Eduard Sailer, believes the reason behind Miele’s success is that the quality and longevity of its products.

“All the products we develop and produce are built to last 20 years and meet the needs of a stable and discerning customer base,” said Dr. Sailer.

“Steady growth at Miele has always and will always stem from Miele’s position as technology leader and our ability to produce a never-ending stream of innovative products and features.”

Miele has also reported double-digit growth in the Australian market, which is currently ranked ninth in Miele’s top 10 biggest markets, with Germany, the Netherlands and Great Britain making up the top three.