Management consultancy in the Black Forest.

Economic structure of the Black Forest: what we see here.

Economically, the Black Forest is not what it often appears to be to outsiders. Behind the tourist backdrop sits an exceptionally dense industrial landscape — particularly in precision mechanics, medical technology, watchmaking, mechanical engineering and toolmaking. Many of these companies are among the frequently cited hidden champions.

Added to this are the region’s traditional industries: timber and forestry, food production, tourism and hospitality. The economic structure is broad, owner-managed and tends to be rather reserved in its external presence.

Hidden champions are often sceptical of consultants — and for good reason.

Anyone who has built a company over two or three generations rarely has patience for consultants who turn up with ready-made slides. The scepticism is justified: much of what is sold as “strategy consulting" is barely applicable to mid-sized companies.

We take a different approach. Before we make recommendations, we listen — to management, sales, production. We then formulate an assessment of the situation in the language spoken within the company, not in consultant-speak. Only then do we work on strategy, market development or sales structures.

Topics typical of the Black Forest.

• Succession in owner-managed companies. The next generation is taking over — and often faces the task of communicating traditional strengths anew without damaging the legacy.
• Skills shortage in rural areas. Visibility as an employer brand is not a marketing issue here but a matter of survival.
• Internationalisation built on depth. Anyone exporting precision mechanical engineering needs external communication that conveys depth — not glossy platitudes.
• Digital visibility. Many companies are well known in their industry but cannot be found online. This is increasingly becoming a problem.

On-site presence.

We are regularly out and about across the whole Black Forest — Offenburg, Lahr, Villingen-Schwenningen, Freudenstadt, Tuttlingen, Pforzheim, Lörrach. We also hold initial consultations at our offices in Freiburg, if that is more convenient. For ongoing engagements we come to you as a matter of course.