Companies struck by the economic crisis are hoping to generate new sales at the Hanover Trade Fair

The Hanover Trade Fair has been a staple for more than six decades. And until now, exhibitors have never had to deal with a drop in sales of the kind seen during the ongoing economic crisis. Though most companies remain hopeful of an upswing, German engineering firms, a major contributor to Germany's exports, are feeling the pinch. With turnover in in free fall, many companies have been forced to pass some of the shortfalls on to their employees. Phoenix Contact, third largest exhibitor in Hanover, manufactures electronics for the automobile and oil exploration industries.