The German Mittelstand: A 500-Year-Old Family Firm's Journey from Guild to Global

This essay traces the history of the German Mittelstand through the stories of two family firms: Gebrüder Thonet, the inventor of the bentwood chair, and The Coatinc Company, a Siegerland ironworks now in its 17th generation. It explores how medieval guilds evolved into today's hidden champions, the impact of industrialization and war, and the enduring values of craftsmanship and community that define these businesses.