Mittelstand or Mittelfall?

Article Abstract:

Medium-sized German firms have been affected by trends in the international economy, and their performance is important for the German economy as a whole. Foreign orders have dropped for mechanical engineering firms. Demand within Germany is strong, and these firms have improved their efficiency by restructuring when Germany was in recession in 1993. Germany is also hampered by high labor costs and many medium-sized firms are family companies with no clear succession.

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Slipped disc

Article Abstract:

Germany's Mittelstand, or mostly small, family-run firms, is struggling as a result of credit problems and the difficulty of managing successions. Mittelstand firms are finding it harder to get bank credit, and say Germany's big banks are no longer interested in small firms.

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Champions in pain: Germany's smaller companies

Article Abstract:

Germany's small and medium-sized businesses, known as the Mittelstand, are having an especially difficult time during Germany's economic downturn. Even though many Mittelstand companies are industry leaders, they are forsaking research and development to cut costs.

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