Miele as a company is not only the embodiment for longevity and reliability for domestic appliances, it also leads the future-oriented fields of Smart Home or Industry 4.0. The same applies for innovative business models in the field of electrical appliances for the home, business or medical environments. On this basis, Miele is now strengthening its support for new businesses with promising ideas and technology, which are looking for a partner who is engaged and financially sound.
In order to identify such businesses and to make capital available to them, the Gütersloh-based company has founded a new subsidiary enterprise, Miele Venture Capital GmbH. With this, the Miele group is able to concentrate and intensify its projects to co-operate with budding start-up companies. Thematically, Miele Venture Capital GmbH focusses on creative solutions which are compatible with Miele products, services, value chains, business models or manufacturing processes. Forms of co-operation will range from joint development projects or management support through to direct equity stakes.
According to Olaf Bartsch, Administration and Finance Director of the Miele Group, participation in new technology enterprises is a strategic investment for Miele that should be sustainably beneficial for all participants. Anything else, continues Bartsch, would not suit Miele.
The management of Miele Venture Capital GmbH has been placed in the hands of Peter Hübinger (responsible for the smart home business field and director of Miele’s Gütersloh-based electronics plant), Dr. Christian Kluge (Head of Central Controlling) and Gernot Trettenbrein (Head of Domestic Appliances International). All three are registered as company directors and will fulfill these new duties in addition to their previous responsibilities.