德国的世界第一，正在批量阵亡

Core Insights - The article discusses the concept of "invisible champions," which are companies that dominate niche markets but remain relatively unknown to the general public. These companies do not seek to increase their exposure or go public, yet they achieve significant success in their specialized fields [1][5][6]. Group 1: Invisible Champions in Germany - Germany has a significant number of invisible champions, with nearly half of the global total located there, while China has fewer than 100 [7][8]. - The characteristics of these invisible champions include being rooted in small towns, having low employee turnover, and focusing on highly specialized products that are difficult to replicate [8][24]. - Examples of successful invisible champions include Wanzl, which dominates the global market for shopping carts, and Körber, a leader in high-speed cigarette manufacturing [11][15]. Group 2: Challenges Facing German Invisible Champions - Recently, many German invisible champions, particularly in the automotive sector, have faced bankruptcy, with notable companies like Gerhardi going under [34][38]. - Contributing factors to this trend include rising costs due to geopolitical issues, such as the energy crisis following the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and a looming labor shortage as the workforce ages [39][44]. - The decline in demand for German products is also attributed to the rise of Chinese automotive supply chain companies, which offer competitive pricing and quality [43][45]. Group 3: Economic Impact of Invisible Champions - German small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which include many invisible champions, account for over 99% of all companies and contribute 55% to the GDP [24]. - These SMEs play a crucial role in job creation, employing over 70% of the workforce and providing around 80% of vocational training positions [24][46]. - The article emphasizes the need for attention and protection for these less visible but vital companies, as they form the backbone of the German economy [46].