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A unique insight into the secrets of success of German family businesses and the role they play on the global stage
At a time of global uncertainty, geopolitical tension and economic upheaval, this book highlights one of Germany's greatest strengths: its family businesses. As the country's largest employers, taxpayers and drivers of economic growth, they form the backbone of the German economy.
Yet their importance extends far beyond national borders. All over the world, German family businesses are synonymous with lasting quality, technical excellence and entrepreneurial reliability - especially in an era when stability has become crucial to success.
Leading scholars and practitioners analyse the success strategies of family businesses at both owner and company level, highlighting the intelligent interplay between tradition and innovation, outlook and origins, lasting values and change.
The book also features 50 portraits of German family firms that shed light on the fascinating secrets behind the success of these tradition-steeped brand manufacturers, 'hidden champions' and global market leaders. These stories offer a unique insight into the DNA of the companies concerned, showing how entrepreneurial vision and family values go hand in hand, underpinning their pivotal role in economic resilience, stability and future viability worldwide.
About the author
Professionally, Uwe Rittmann has one great passion: family businesses and entrepreneurial families. As Head of the Family Business and SMEs at PwC Germany, he has a broad and in-depth overview of the German family-business landscape. After many years with a medium-sized auditing and consultancy firm, he joined PwC as a partner in 2011. For more than 30 years he has successfully advised both international, publicly listed family firms and privately owned mid-sized companies, and he has served for many years on the advisory boards of several family businesses.Tobias Rappers is the founder and Managing Director of Maschinenraum GmbH, a platform that brings together almost 80 German family businesses to provide support in all key areas of transformation. A strategy consultant and digital expert, he has wide-ranging expertise in designing and implementing transformation processes. He particularly values the DNA of the German SME sector, shaped by courage, trust and long-term thinking. Rappers studied at the WFI School of Management, HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management, Stellenbosch University in South Africa and the Indian Institute of Management. Before founding Maschinenraum, he worked as a consultant at Roland Berger.Über zwei Jahrzehnte verantwortete Olaf Salié als Chefredakteur die Marke „Deutsche Standards“, zuletzt unter dem Dach der ZEIT Verlagsgruppe. Seit 2025 ist er Herausgeber der Reihe „ABOUT Germany“ im Prestel Verlag, wo auch seine Bücher „CHANSON“ und „Traumfabriken“ erschienen sind. Olaf Salié gilt als kreativer Ideengeber und gut vernetzter Projektentwickler für analoge und digitale Medien. Für seinen langjährigen Herausgeber Dr. Florian Langenscheidt hat er u. a. das „Lexikon der deutschen Familienunternehmen“ konzipiert. Neben Wirtschaftsthemen liegt ein besonderer Schwerpunkt seiner Arbeit auf dem Thema „Manufakturen“. Der Publizist lebt gemeinsam mit Mann und Hund in Berlin.
Summary
A unique insight into the secrets of success of German family businesses and the role they play on the global stage
At a time of global uncertainty, geopolitical tension and economic upheaval, this book highlights one of Germany’s greatest strengths: its family businesses. As the country’s largest employers, taxpayers and drivers of economic growth, they form the backbone of the German economy.
Yet their importance extends far beyond national borders. All over the world, German family businesses are synonymous with lasting quality, technical excellence and entrepreneurial reliability – especially in an era when stability has become crucial to success.
Leading scholars and practitioners analyse the success strategies of family businesses at both owner and company level, highlighting the intelligent interplay between tradition and innovation, outlook and origins, lasting values and change.
The book also features 50 portraits of German family firms that shed light on the fascinating secrets behind the success of these tradition-steeped brand manufacturers, ‘hidden champions’ and global market leaders. These stories offer a unique insight into the DNA of the companies concerned, showing how entrepreneurial vision and family values go hand in hand, underpinning their pivotal role in economic resilience, stability and future viability worldwide.
