Germany's economy excels globally through hidden champions and industry leaders
Updated
Updated · DW (English) · May 3
Germany's economy excels globally through hidden champions and industry leaders
8 articles · Updated · DW (English) · May 3
SMEs make up more than 99% of German companies and generate 50% of net value added, while SAP, Deutsche Telekom and DHL remain global leaders.
Business representatives say the Mittelstand's strengths include technical expertise, dual vocational training, reliability, adaptability and close customer ties, helping firms such as Zeiss, Herrenknecht, Ottobock and Schott compete internationally.
Despite weaker growth forecasts, rising oil prices and lost ground in sectors such as solar and autos, Germany remains among the world's five biggest economies, though executives urge infrastructure, energy and supply-chain reforms.
Can Germany's Mittelstand survive growing global competition and digital disruption, or is the country's industrial decline now irreversible?
How realistic are Germany's ambitions to reduce reliance on China, given the Mittelstand's deep supply chain dependencies and current economic pressures?