| Abstract: | The skilled crafts are still an essential element in the German economy. The characteristics of these companies, however, have changed dramatically in recent years. Previously, medium-scale enterprises of approximately 5 to 49 employees dominated. In recent years, however, a polarisation of the skilled crafts spectrum has occurred. Partially due to the amendment of the Trades and Crafts Code in 2004, the share of small and one-person businesses has risen sharply. Additionally, larger-scale enterprises play an increasingly important role, and this development is only partially reflected in the statistical data. |
