In the manufacturing and assembly industries, medium-sized suppliers play an important role as partners of large manufacturers. This is especially true as end product manufacturers, such as those in the automotive and communications industries, increasingly focus on core activities in manufacturing, product development, and assembly. Flexible and development-oriented suppliers are therefore indispensable cooperation partners for large end product manufacturers today. With former BDI president Tyll Necker, one can rightly ask the question: "What were the aircraft carriers of the economy without a capable medium-sized sector?" When there are only a few manufacturers with significant purchasing power on the buyer's side – a situation that is quite characteristic of the automotive industry – suppliers are inevitably dependent on them. This creates a latent potential for conflict.