Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the concept of "hidden champions," which are small to medium-sized enterprises that dominate niche markets but remain largely unknown to the general public. These companies are characterized by their strong technological capabilities, high product value, and difficulty for competitors to imitate. Germany has a significant number of these hidden champions compared to other countries, particularly China, which has fewer than 100 such companies [9][12]. Group 1: Definition and Characteristics of Hidden Champions - The term "hidden champion" was introduced by German scholar Hermann Simon in 1990, referring to companies that are not well-known but hold a leading position in a specific niche market [9]. - Hidden champions typically exhibit several unusual characteristics: they are often rooted in small towns, have a long history of family ownership, maintain low employee turnover, and focus on highly specialized core businesses [10]. - Simon's criteria for identifying hidden champions include being among the top three in a niche market globally or the top in a continent, having annual revenues not exceeding 5 billion euros, and being relatively unknown to the public [10]. Group 2: Germany's Hidden Champions - Germany is home to nearly half of the world's hidden champions, with around 3,000 such companies globally [12]. - The article highlights examples of hidden champions like Wanzl, which dominates the global market for shopping carts with over 50% market share, and Körber, a leader in high-speed cigarette manufacturing machines [14][16]. - The strength of Germany's manufacturing sector is attributed to its small and medium-sized enterprises, which make up over 99% of all companies and contribute 55% to the GDP [22]. Group 3: Challenges Faced by Hidden Champions - Recently, many German hidden champions, particularly in the automotive sector, have faced bankruptcy due to rising costs and external pressures, such as the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on energy prices [30][34]. - 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 [36]. - The rise of Chinese automotive manufacturing has also affected the revenues of German hidden champions, as Chinese suppliers offer competitive pricing and quality, leading to a decline in demand for German products [36][37].
德国的世界第一，正在批量阵亡