Appliance manufacturer Miele has reported the highest number of products built and sold in the company’s 123-year history, recording a turnover of €4,84bn worldwide in the business year of 2021.

It is an increase of 7.5% on the previous year and the company reports orders at the start of the new year are also higher than ever before.

In order to cut delivery times, which are “far” longer than usual, Miele reported it is producing at all production plants with the highest capacity.

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The manufacturer reported the much publicised boom in the domestic sector, triggered by COVID, continues to provide strong tailwind, but Miele has also felt the impact of worldwide supply chain issues of semiconductors.

It reported sales had grown across all product groups, in particular refrigeration, cooking and dishwashing but also in laundry, floor care and coffee machines.

The manufacturer cited an impetus in sales through food storage, as well as the worldwide launch of its Generation 7000 appliances.

Eastern Europe, China and the USA were said to have made a strong contribution in sales, while Germany saw sales up 5.1% to  €1,39billion.

Chief executive of Miele Markus Miele commented: “Despite ongoing bottlenecks in the supply of semiconductors, we managed to produce and sell more appliances in 2021 than ever before throughout our 123-year company history. Sustainable growth will continue to determine our course.”

Despite being CO2 neutral “on balance” across all its locations since 2021, the company plans to reduce emissions from the usage phase of Miele appliances by 15%, compared to 2019 levels.

In addition, the company has been using ‘green steel’ in the framework of a pilot involving its ovens and it aims to increase the volume of recycled materials to 7,500 tonnes per annum by 2025.

With the takeover of Dusseldorf start-up Otto Wilde Grillers, Miele is also entering the outdoor cooking sector.

For the rest of the year, Miele states the outlook will be dominated by the political and economic repercussions of the war in Ukraine.

Markus Miele stated: “What continues to deeply sadden us, of course, are the horrific images from Ukraine.

“We continue to do everything in our power to assist the 54 Miele employees there and their families. All our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine.”

The company has suspended the supply of domestic appliances to Russia with immediate effect and until future notice, and its own Miele Experience Centre shops have already closed. Similarly, investments in the market were frozen.

More than 230 staff members and their salaries have been guaranteed for the next six month at least.

Miele has eight production plans in Germany, with others in Austria, Czech Republic, China, Romania and Poland, as well as two product plants belonging to its Italian medial technology subsidiary Steelco.

Headquartered in Gutersloh, in Germany, Miele operates in almost 100 countries and employs a workforce of around 21,900 people worldwide.