Hi there! So, mittelstand is a German word that means "middle class." But it doesn't mean the same thing as middle class in the United States. Mittelstand refers to small and medium-sized businesses in Germany.
These businesses usually have between 10 and 500 employees and generate between 10 million and 1 billion euros in annual revenue. They are often family-owned and have been around for a long time. They are a big part of the German economy, creating a lot of jobs and contributing to the country's overall prosperity.
What makes mittelstand businesses special is that they have a strong focus on innovation, quality, and customer service. They are typically very specialized in what they do, meaning they make a product or provide a service that is unique or highly specialized.
Many people in Germany and other parts of the world admire mittelstand businesses because they are seen as stable, reliable, and trustworthy. They are a key part of the German economy and are often credited with helping to make the country one of the world's wealthiest and most successful nations.