The Mittelstand is the German name for the country 's two million small and medium sized businesses . These often privately owned companies currently make up around 10 % of the German economy . Most Mittelstand companies tend to produce their products for the manufacturing and engineering markets .
The Mittelstand is the German name for the country 's 3.5 million small and medium sized businesses . These often family owned companies currently make up around 60 % of the German workforce . Most Mittelstand companies tend to produce niche products for the manufacturing and engineering markets .