SME owner
Loading your saved state.
SME owner
An entrepreneur who owns or manages a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME).
Als typischer Mittelständler führt er seinen Familienbetrieb in der dritten Generation.
As a typical SME owner, he runs his family business in the third generation.
The word derives from 'der Mittelstand', which refers to the totality of small and medium-sized companies. The ending '-ler' is often used to name a person who belongs to a group or field.
Er ist ein erfolgreicher Mittelständler aus der Baubranche.
He is a successful SME owner from the construction industry.
In Germany, the 'Mittelstand' has great economic significance and a positive image. It is often called the 'backbone of the German economy' and associated with innovation, stability, and family businesses.
Viele deutsche Mittelständler sind in ihrer Nische Weltmarktführer.
Many German SME owners are world market leaders in their niche.
The word family includes the noun 'der Mittelstand' and the adjective 'mittelständisch' (small- and medium-sized / SME). For example, people speak of 'mittelständischen Unternehmen' (small and medium-sized companies).
Sein Betrieb ist ein klassisches mittelständisches Unternehmen.
His business is a classic small or medium-sized company.
entrepreneur
A Mittelständler is also an Unternehmer, but specifically owns or runs a small or medium-sized company. Unternehmer is independent of company size and therefore also applies to very large companies.
Als Mittelständler leitet Herr Bauer einen Betrieb mit vierzig Beschäftigten.
As an SME owner, Mr. Bauer runs a business with forty employees.
Als Unternehmer leitet Herr Bauer einen internationalen Konzern mit vielen Standorten.
As an entrepreneur, Mr. Bauer runs an international corporation with many locations.
