From traineeship to management.
This week, Miele ANZ category marketing manager of consumer technology, Rudi Niemoeller, celebrates 40 years at Miele. In 1976, Niemoeller began as a trainee at Miele’s headquarters in Gütersloh, Germany, learning about the company’s sales strategy across various departments. In April 1981, one year after the opening, of Miele’s first subsidiary outside of Europe, Niemoeller arrived at the East Hawthorn, Melbourne office.
His first Australian role was import controller, responsible for ordering and production planning as well as local customs clearance. He found himself helping unload one of the first full containers of Miele appliances to arrive in Australia.
A move to the current Knoxfield office in 1982 allowed Miele to offer a customer showroom where fully-fitted Miele kitchens were a dominant feature. Niemoeller was then appointed kitchen consultant where his expertise resulted in roles in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Miele marketing director, Gabriella Franklin congratulating Rudi Niemoeller.
“I believe that the popularity of Miele built-in kitchen appliances grew out of the success of our fully fitted kitchens. The quality and style of European cabinetry, new to Australia at the time, was seen as most desirable by Australian consumers. In fact, more than 100 Gold Coast homes were fitted with Miele kitchens in the late 1980s,” he explained.
“When Miele Australia ceased importing cabinetry, sales of Miele kitchen appliances continued to grow. Our success enabled Miele Australia to introduce the first fully automatic built-in coffee machine, steam oven and steam combination oven, long before other brands,” he added.
From national kitchen coordinator to marketing services co-ordinator to a number of product management roles, Niemoeller chose to work most closely with kitchen appliances, and was tasked with the position as category manager for food and beverage preparation for many years.
So what’s next?
“I look forward to continuing in my current role supporting the extended Miele category and product management teams from a technical perspective. With many new product developments in the pipeline, one of the exciting challenges is to further optimise and adapt certain technologies and applications to local market requirements.
“Long term, my plans will largely depend on what future opportunities may arise that allow me to contribute to Miele’s ongoing success. While 40 years with the same company may seem like a long time to some people, I certainly have no regrets,” he said.
In congratulating Niemoeller on this milestone, Miele ANZ managing director, Sjaak Brouwer, commented on his commitment.
“On behalf of Miele and his colleagues around Australia and New Zealand, I wish to thank Rudi Niemoeller for his dedication to our brand and his contribution to the company over the past four decades. His career to date certainly is a glimpse into Miele’s more immediate history, bearing in mind that our company has been in operation since 1899,” he said.
Niemoeller’s 40-year achievement will be acknowledged at Miele Germany. He has been invited to the Gütersloh head office where his milestone, along with those of more than 300 fellow employees who will have completed either 25, 40 or 50 years of employment with Miele, will be recognised and celebrated at a special Miele event.