The functional ingredients maker was among more than 1,400 food firms that went ahead with their stands at FiE, despite the continued state of emergency in France.
More than 30 companies pulled out of the show and security has been stepped up at the FiE, which coincides with the UN climate change talks in Paris this week.
Beneo marketing director Thomas Schmidt and his colleagues wore badges with the Eiffel tower peace sign – a widely used symbol of solidarity after the attacks on November 13.
‘Solidarity with people of Paris’
“We decided to all wear the badges and show solidarity with the people of Paris,” Schmidt said at Beneo’s stand yesterday (December 1).
“This is only a tiny sign. But it is at least a sign that we are also compassionate about what happened and the people affected by it.”
Schmidt said the company had thought deeply about whether to attend the show because one of its key values is taking care of its employees.
“After long consideration, we decided that we would not give into terrorist attacks because it counters civilisation. It is barbarism and butchery,” he said.
“We really believe that as an organisation we also have to set an example that normal life will continue and that we will prevail.
‘Civilisation, peace and togetherness will prevail’
“Civilisation, peace and togetherness will prevail in the long run and we want to set an example by being here.”
There were long queues as people waited to pass through airport-style scanners at the entrance to the Paris-Nord Villepinte convention centre yesterday morning.
Then as visitors streamed out of exhibition at about 5.30pm, six armed policemen were seen on guard at the nearest metro station.
Some exhibitors suggested that visitor numbers might be slightly down on last year and that last-minute hotel bookings were easier than expected.
Arla Food Ingredients marketing communications manager Lars Vestergaard Nielsen said the company’s head of security evaluated the situation in the wake of the attacks.
“We kept our eyes on the situation,” he said, stressing that the safety of employees was its first priority.
“But due to the high level of security we were never in doubt that we wanted to be here.”