CONTRIBUTED BY
CITY OF OPELIKA
OPELIKA — Miele, manufacturer of premium domestic home appliances, has officially commenced production at its first-ever U.S.-based production plant. Located in Opelika, the facility has begun producing its Generation 7000 built-in ovens.
The Opelika facility will produce appliances for the U.S., Canada and Mexico markets, which will greatly reduce the delivery time from weeks to just a few days, while also lowering the impact on the environment. This much improved turnaround time is important as the North American market continues to be a key growth market for German-based Miele.
“The facility is up and running as part of the first phase of development,” said Uwe Brunkhorst, senior vice president at Miele. “We are especially pleased that despite the tight timeline, the team has achieved their goal, and production has started ahead of schedule — the first oven has officially come off the assembly line.”
“It is always an exciting moment to see the first-ever product completed at a new plant,” said Søren Rye, president and CEO of Miele USA and Mexico. “It is especially monumental that the first product assembled in the U.S. is, in fact, one that was made with this market in mind — a 30-inch convection oven.”
“Today marks a milestone for Opelika as we celebrate Miele’s first product rolling off the line in our city,” said Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller. “This accomplishment is not just a testament to Miele’s innovation and excellence but also to Opelika’s vibrant community and workforce. We’re honored to be part of Miele’s journey and excited to see the positive impact this facility will bring in terms of job creation and economic growth.”
The first American employees were trained at the Oelde plant in Germany, and those members of the team are now taking on both assembly tasks as well as the training of new colleagues in Opelika. The 35-person onsite team is growing exponentially, and in the first phase the plant is slated to employ up to 150 people.
Miele Generation 7000 Built-In Ovens feature various cooking modes including several smart assists to prepare any dish to perfection. With four user interface options to select from, whether the user prefers a dial or smart screen display, each display is intuitive to operate. Miele convection ovens feature dual fans to bring the oven to temperature rapidly. Combined with the oven door that gently opens and closes and an easy-slide oven rack to assist in moving food in and out of the oven, these ovens provide several ergonomic benefits. Additionally, the oven design is elegant, timeless and complements any kitchen design.
Now that the oven production has been established at the site, assembly for the ranges will be next, slated to begin by April 2025.
