The strength of its well-known global brands have been cited as a factor in Germany's economic stability, but low-profile firms that produce highly-engineered goods are also helping to aid the economy amid Europe's financial crisis.

The mostly family-owned medium-sized companies, known as the Mittelstand, employ more than two-thirds of the country's workforce.

Adding to the Mittelstand’s success is Germany's veneration for trademark engineering, backed by an education system that offers more than 300 apprenticeships starting in high school, and creating a highly-skilled labour pool.

Al Jazeera's Nick Spicer reports from southern Germany.