德国的世界第一，正在批量阵亡

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the concept of "invisible champions," which are small to medium-sized enterprises that dominate niche markets but remain largely unknown to the general public. It highlights the contrast between the number of invisible champions in Germany and China, emphasizing Germany's significant lead in this area [4][8][10]. Group 1: Definition and Characteristics of Invisible Champions - The term "invisible champion" was introduced by German scholar Hermann Simon in 1990, referring to companies that are not widely known but hold a dominant position in a specific niche market, characterized by strong technology and high added value [8][10]. - Invisible champions typically have unique traits: they are often rooted in small towns, family-owned, have low employee turnover, and focus on highly specialized products that are hard to replicate [10][21]. - According to Simon's criteria, there are nearly 3,000 invisible champions globally, with about half located in Germany, while China has fewer than 100 [10][11]. Group 2: The Strength of German Manufacturing - Germany's manufacturing sector remains robust, with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) constituting over 99% of all companies and contributing 55% to GDP. These SMEs provide over 70% of employment and around 80% of training positions for young people [21][19]. - German SMEs excel in niche markets, focusing on high-value, technology-intensive products, which helps them build competitive advantages and maintain market positions [21][19]. - The article cites examples of successful invisible champions like Wanzl and Körber, which dominate their respective markets in shopping carts and cigarette manufacturing equipment [14][15]. Group 3: Challenges Faced by German Invisible Champions - Recently, many German invisible champions, particularly in the automotive sector, have faced bankruptcy due to rising costs and external pressures, such as the energy crisis following the Russia-Ukraine conflict [27][32]. - The aging workforce in Germany is leading to a significant labor shortage, with projections indicating a shortfall of up to 7 million jobs by 2035 [32][34]. - The rise of Chinese automotive manufacturing has also impacted German invisible champions, as Chinese companies offer competitive pricing and improved product quality, leading to reduced sales for German suppliers [34][35].