Fresh Flower Corsages for Graduation and Entrance Ceremonies: Cymbidium Orchid Producer Continues Family-Oriented Employee Benefit in 2026

Kono Mericlone Co., Ltd. (Mima City, Tokushima Prefecture), a company specializing in the breeding and production of Western orchids, will provide fresh Cymbidium orchid corsages to its employees for their children's graduation and entrance ceremonies in March and April 2026. This employee benefit program has been in place since March 2022.

The initiative began with the desire to celebrate the milestones of children raised by parents working at a flower company using the company's own blooms.

A Benefit Born from Employee Suggestions

This program was born from a suggestion by an employee: "Why don't we decorate the special days of our children, who have grown up surrounded by Cymbidiums while their parents work at Kono Mericlone, with our own flowers?"

The president supported this idea, and the program launched in March 2022. In the first year, corsages were gifted to employees with children graduating from elementary, junior high, and high schools.

The program has since expanded to include both graduation and entrance ceremonies twice a year, and now covers kindergarten and nursery school milestones as well, celebrating more family occasions.

Because this initiative originated from employee feedback, it has fostered a sense of empathy and unity within the company.

Featuring the Popular 'Marie Laurencin' Variety, Which Blooms for About 100 Days

The corsages feature the most beautiful Cymbidium varieties in bloom at that time.

A particularly popular choice is the "Great Flower Marie Laurencin," known for its pale pink hue. It is highly durable, blooming for approximately 100 days, and its soft color complements formal attire beautifully.

We believe that the natural beauty and presence of fresh flowers make these special days even more memorable, creating lasting experiences.

The program has been well-received by many employees, with feedback including:

• "The Cymbidium corsage looked stunning on my navy suit and really brightened up the graduation ceremony."
• "I was so happy when my child and others told me, 'This corsage is so cute!'"
• "Fresh flower corsages are rare, so I ended up showing it off to everyone! (laughs)"

These comments show that the initiative leaves a lasting impression not only on the employees but on their families as well.

Yellow-toned flowers are also popular for their vibrant color, which stands out beautifully on a mother's lapel. As they are fresh flowers, no two corsages are exactly alike.

Choice of DIY Kit or Finished Product

Employees can choose between two ways to receive the corsage.

One option is a "DIY Kit" to assemble the corsage oneself. The other is to receive a finished product crafted by employees skilled in floral arrangement.

The creation process itself serves as a moment for parent-child communication, and it has also sparked conversations within the office, such as "What are you doing for your graduation corsage this year?", fostering interaction across departments.

A Corporate Culture That Cherishes Life's Milestones

The Kono Mericlone Group has approximately 80 employees, including full-time, part-time, contract, and temporary staff (excluding executives), many of whom are in the child-rearing generation.

The return rate from childcare leave is nearly 100%, and the company is committed to creating an environment that supports the balance between work and family life.

One employee who used the program shared:

"My child proudly told people, 'These are flowers from my mom's company.' I feel that this is a company that truly values our family milestones."

We believe such initiatives contribute to higher employee retention.

As a Flower-Growing Company, We Cherish People's Lives

Kono Mericlone has been sharing the charm of Western orchids, focusing on the breeding and production of Cymbidiums. Guided by our philosophy of "Beauty for both people and flowers," we strive to be a company that supports the milestones of people's lives through flowers.

About Kono Mericlone Co., Ltd.

Since its founding in 1965, Kono Mericlone has operated under the motto "Beauty for both people and flowers." Based on its foundation in Cymbidium breeding and improvement, the company develops hair growth products, beauty and health-related goods, and operates tourist facilities for flower viewing and shopping. In its breeding business, it has developed over 600 varieties to date. It has received gold medals twice (2002 and 2012) at the "Floriade," the world's largest horticultural exhibition held every 10 years in the Netherlands.

Leveraging the technology cultivated through orchid research, the company develops products themed around beauty and health, such as the "Ramu" medicinal hair growth series, skincare products, and orchid-infused red wine. Furthermore, to achieve the SDGs, the company is actively engaged in sustainable community development, including environmentally friendly greenhouse management, collaborative local events, and job creation.

[Company Overview]

Company Name: Kono Mericlone Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: 562-1 Kitasho, Waki-cho, Mima City, Tokushima Prefecture

Representative: Keisuke Kono

Founded: 1965

Business: Breeding, production, and sale of Western orchids (Cymbidiums); planning and sale of hair growth products, cosmetics, and health foods; operation of tourist facilities

URL: https://www.kawano-mericlone.com

[Media Inquiries]

Public Relations: Takeda, Public Relations Strategy Office / Planning & Marketing Office

TEL: 0883-52-2189 (Main) / FAX: 0883-53-9276

E-mail: [email protected]