The Off Topic Topic

[Duque de Bragança]

Since I lived in Germany for a few years, lots are familiar.

[Tonitrus]

I used to favor BASF-made VHS video cassettes.

[Sheilbh]

At least half for me, much of that through work (for example Trumpf is one of the big industrial laser manufacturers). I've also lived some time over there, so that makes other brands recognizable (eg. Edeka). The rest are the big ones, except Märklin (uncle is a big model train nerd).

Yeah I recognise more American ones than German ones, but I recognise more German ones than Yi. I think it's just where you're from and what you do - but it's also probably fair to say that Germany has more industrial/manufacturing companies you won't necessarily recognise than consumer facing. Similarly the pharma companies I don't know in the US.

But looking at the FTSE 100 there are lots I don't recognise too:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FTSE_100_Index

[Josquius]

Very much depends on your job.
SAP for instance is one of the biggest IT companies in the world. But I hadn't heard of it until I got my first office job. I don't think the man on the street knows them. And that's one of the more famous ones on the list.

[Maladict]

Märklin is this big? Wow.

I was about to post that. Pretty cool.

[Syt]

Märklin is under Simba Dickie these days. They also own Tamiya:

https://www.simba-dickie-group.com/en/companies-and-brands/

[celedhring]

Wonder if there's any Spanish company people here would recognize, besides Zara, Marqués de Cáceres, and the football teams 

The few large Spanish multinationals mostly do business in Latin America, and that's not languish audience.

[Syt]

Wonder if there's any Spanish company people here would recognize, besides Zara, Marqués de Cáceres, and the football teams 

The few large Spanish multinationals mostly do business in Latin America, and that's not languish audience.

I know Zara, Mango, Pull & Bear, Santander, and Seat.

[Sheilbh]

Definitely a few - Telefonica, Santander, BBVA, IAG.

But they've all have UK wings. Except for BBVA I think - and I've no idea why I know them off the top of my head

Edit: Just saw Syt's pic. I know about half. A fair few have UK presence.

[Syt]

Also, a map of Germany's most valuable brands (as opposed to biggest companies).

[Sheilbh]

I am fascinated by the Lidl/Aldi switch

[MadImmortalMan]

The comparison of those two is instructive.

[Maladict]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Lists_of_largest_private_companies_by_country

I did a couple of top50 lists:

Europe 45
USA 32
France 26
Germany 24
UK 17
Nordic countries 13

[celedhring]

Definitely a few - Telefonica, Santander, BBVA, IAG.

But they've all have UK wings. Except for BBVA I think - and I've no idea why I know them off the top of my head

Edit: Just saw Syt's pic. I know about half. A fair few have UK presence.

BBVA used to sponsor the football league. I presume you'd at least heard the name in sports reporting.

[Eddie Teach]

Huh, had no idea about Google rebranding.