Former Miele CEO Peter Christian Zinkann Dies at 98
Miele’s long‑time chief dies; company noted his 40‑year leadership and product launches.
Key facts
- Peter Christian Zinkann died at 98 on Monday, 19 October 2026.
- He joined Miele in 1958 and led the company for more than four decades.
- During his tenure Miele launched an electronically controlled dryer in 1966, dishwashers with utensil drawers in 1986, and the Miele‑Schontrommel in 2001.
- Miele reported revenue of €5.16 billion in 2025, 2.3 % higher than 2024.
- The company employs about 23,000 workers.
According to FAZ, Peter Christian Zinkann died at the age of 98 on Monday, 19 October 2026. The company in Gütersloh announced his death and described him as an outstanding entrepreneur. The announcement was reported by several German newspapers, including Die Glocke and Neue Westfälische.
According to Welt, Zinkann was born in Bremen in 1928 and moved to Gütersloh in 1945. He studied mechanical engineering and earned a doctorate before joining the family business in 1958. He served as managing partner until 2004, shortly after the death of his business partner Rudolf Miele.
According to both outlets, Zinkann’s leadership saw the launch of several key products. In 1966 Miele introduced an electronically controlled dryer. In 1986 it released dishwashers with utensil drawers, and in 2001 it launched the Miele‑Schontrommel.
According to FAZ and Welt, Miele’s 2025 revenue was €5.16 billion, up 2.3 % from 2024. The company does not disclose profit figures, but it employs roughly 23,000 people and produces washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, coffee machines, vacuum cleaners and other household appliances.
Context
Miele is a German household appliance manufacturer founded in 1899 that produces washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, coffee machines, vacuum cleaners and other appliances.
How outlets headlined it
How this was made
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