Jan Heck Appointed President of Miele USA

TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - January 08, 2016) - Miele, the world's largest family-owned and operated appliance company in the world, today announced it has appointed Miele Canada's Jan Heck as President of Miele USA. Mr. Heck will succeed Mr. Nick Ord who will step down as current president at the end of July 2016 to pursue new interests after 34 years with Miele.

"This was always going to be a very difficult decision for me, because it has been a privilege to have worked for this great family-owned business and with so many good colleagues and dealers for so long," said Nick Ord, President Miele USA. "The timing of my decision is tied to the strong footing the company now enjoys, which will aid in ensuring a smooth transition and continued strong growth."

Jan Heck has been President of the Canadian operations for Miele for more than 17 years. Under Mr. Heck's leadership Miele Canada has been recognized as one of the top premium brands in Canada, with tremendous year over year growth in sales and unit growth. Mr. Heck brought one of the most innovative retail strategies to the appliance sector by introducing the MCA Business Model to dealers and partners across Canada. He has brought product innovation to the Canadian market with North American specific products like the 30" Convection Oven, Miele MasterCool and the latest all-new Miele free-standing Range.

"This recognition and appointment to the US is a tremendous honour for me," said Jan Heck, President, Miele Canada. "I am thrilled and excited about the opportunity to lead and continue the successful brand work that Nick has spearheaded over the last 26 years. I look forward to delivering on Miele's successful business in the US and expanding the Miele product portfolio to our retail partners and dealers."

Mr. Heck has been heavily involved in the community, serving as Vice Chairman of the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce and Board Member of the St. Joseph's Health Centre Foundation.

"Jan was the ideal choice," said Ord. "He and I have worked together closely over the past 16 years, as have many of the Miele US managers he will soon lead, so he understands the US landscape and business extremely well already. This decision helps ensure the smooth transition our business partners and employees will be expecting."

Company profile: Miele is the world leader in the field of premium domestic appliances including cooking, baking and steam-cooking appliances, refrigeration products, coffee makers, dishwashers and laundry and floorcare products. This line-up is augmented by dishwashers, washer-extractors and tumble dryers for commercial use as well as washer-disinfectors and sterilisers for use in medical and laboratory applications (Miele Professional). The company, founded in 1899, has 8 production plants in Germany and one plant each in Austria, the Czech Republic, China and Romania. 2012/13 turnover amounted to approx. EUR 3.15 bn with sales outside Germany accounting for 70%. Miele is represented with its own sales subsidiaries and via importers in almost 100 countries. The Miele company, now in the fourth generation of family ownership, employs a workforce of around 17,250 with two-thirds in Germany. The company headquarters are located in Gütersloh/Westphalia, Germany.

To learn more, visit www.miele.ca.

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