James Braithwaite, Euro-Pro vice president of research and development, says Shark had to "over-engineer" the device's head, which holds the floor cleaning pads, so it would stand up to consumer pressure.

WSJ: Cleaning Products Get Stronger Even Though Scrubbers Insist On Using Elbow Grease

Technology upgrades being such a daunting operation - Thai Farmers had to re-engineer 500 branches over three years - they have to pay for themselves and more.

CNN: The Asiaweek Financial 500

Knoblauch, who spent 20 years at Honeywell and is the first outsider and non-engineer to run UL, turned over 34% of the 6, 000-strong work force (with more cuts coming as this issue went to press), spent tens of millions on new computer systems and expanded overseas.

FORBES: By the Numbers

To head off such relative decline, Germany needs to re-engineer not only the welfare state but its attitudes towards immigrants, women and people over 60.

ECONOMIST: Germany scandalously underuses immigrants and women