The automatic carwash is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Not many people know that it is a German invention - even though on average, German motorists take their cars to the carwash eight times a year.

Engineering foundations for skyscrapers or installing ground anchors for dams and subway systems - wherever large-scale construction takes place, the Bauer Group supplies equipment and heavy machinery.

Roof gutters and drain pipes aren't conspicuous, but every building needs them. The Rheinzink company in the city of Datteln is the world's market leader in roof and drainage systems made of zinc.

Rooted in the countryside, a traditional family business with a product that leads the world in its own niche – this description fits the plastic specialist Wirthwein

You come across Surteco products all over the world. The company produces surface materials for the DIY market and furniture industry such as edges and foils, profiles and plinth strips.

Every third book in the world is bound using machines produced by the German company Kolbus. Nearly everything from Harry Potter to the local phone book runs across their conveyor belts.

A sudden flash of light - and a driver's day is ruined. To be caught speeding or running a red light is usually expensive. But many local authorities are happy to install speed-trap cameras.

The Hahnemühle papermaking company is aware of tradition and innovative at the same time. This year the firm is celebrating its 425th birthday.

Mass-producing goods in Germany? Ese Industrie, a company based in Neuruppin in eastern Germany, proves that the strategy can pay off. The mid-sized company is the world's top producer of garbage bins on wheels.

Whether they're made of horn, nutshell, metal, mother-of-pearl, glass or leather, the range is enormous - and much in demand. Union-Knopf is the largest button maker in Europe.

Lots of blood is shed at the production facilities of Berlin-based company Kryolan. That's because the firm creates stage make-up for 4500 clients in the theatre and film industries.

Most German drivers don't know it, but when they look in their rear-view mirror they're most likely looking at a product made by Bavarian firm Flabeg.

Whenever feature films are shot, it's likely that some of the equipment used will be made by the Munich-based ARRI company.

Bubble-blowing is a popular pastime among children around the globe. Founded in 1948, Pustefix is now in its third generation of family management.

Everyone has had one in his hand, and probably didn’t even give it a second thought: a wire cork hood from the Schneider Metal Works.

FRAAS, another family-owned company in Bavaria, has been making scarves and shawls since 1880.