Cymbidium Orchid Producer to Continue Family-Focused Employee Benefit in 2026, Gifting Fresh Flower Corsages for Graduation and Entrance Ceremonies

Kono Mericlone Co., Ltd. (Mima City, Tokushima Prefecture), a company involved in the breeding and production of Western orchids, will gift fresh flower corsages adorned with Cymbidium orchids to employees for their children's graduation and entrance ceremonies from March to April 2026. This is an employee benefit program that has been in place since March 2022.

The initiative began with the desire to celebrate the milestones of children, who grew up with parents working at a flower company, with flowers from their own company.

An Employee Benefit Born from an Employee's Suggestion

This system was created following a suggestion from an employee.

"For the children who grew up with parents working at Kono Mericlone and have become familiar with Cymbidium orchids, why don't we adorn their special day with our company's flowers?"

The company president agreed with this sentiment, and the system started in March 2022.

In the first year, corsages were presented to employees with children graduating from elementary, junior high, and high school.

The following year, the system was expanded to include presentations twice a year for both graduation and entrance ceremonies.

Furthermore, it has evolved into an initiative that celebrates more family milestones by extending the eligibility to kindergarten and nursery school graduations and entrances.

As this initiative was born from the voices of employees, it has also led to the cultivation of empathy and a sense of unity within the company.

Using the Popular 'Marie Laurencin' Variety That Blooms for About 100 Days

The corsages feature the most beautifully blooming Cymbidium variety of the season.

Particularly popular is the 'Great Flower Marie Laurencin' variety, characterized by its pale pink color.

Its flowers last so long that they can continue to bloom for about 100 days, and their soft colors complement ceremonial attire well.

We believe that the natural beauty and presence unique to fresh flowers make a special day more memorable and contribute to creating a lasting experiential value.

The program has been well-received by many employees, with comments such as the following from those who have used it:

• "A Cymbidium corsage on my navy suit! It stood out so much and brightened up the day of the graduation ceremony."

• "I was so happy when my child and others told me, 'This corsage is so cute!!'"

• "A fresh flower corsage is so unusual, I couldn't help but brag about it to everyone. (laughs)"

These comments show that the initiative has become a memorable one not only for the employees but also for their families.

Yellow flowers are also popular, with their vibrant colors that look beautiful on a mother's chest being favored.

The flowers are fresh, and no two corsages are the same.

Choice of Presentation: DIY Kit or Finished Product

Employees can choose from two types of corsage presentation.

One is a "DIY kit," where they receive a kit to make the corsage themselves. The other is to receive a finished product crafted by an employee skilled in making corsages.

The creation process itself becomes a catalyst for parent-child communication, and within the company, conversations like "What are you doing for this year's graduation corsage?" spark interaction across departments.

A Corporate Culture That Accompanies Employees and Their Families Through Life's Milestones

At the Kono Mericlone Group, about 80 people are employed, including full-time employees, part-timers, contract employees, and temporary staff, excluding executives. Many of them are from the child-rearing generation.

The return-to-work rate after childcare leave is nearly 100%, and the company is promoting an environment that supports a balance between work and family life.

From an employee who used the system:

"My child proudly said, 'This is a flower from Mommy's company.' I feel that this is a company that cherishes even our family's milestones."

We believe such voices indicate that these initiatives contribute to improving employee retention.

As a Company That Grows Flowers, We Also Stand by People in Their Lives

Kono Mericlone is a company that has been promoting the appeal of Western orchids, focusing on the breeding and production of Cymbidium.

Under the philosophy of "Making both people and flowers beautiful," we aim to be a company that can also be a part of people's life milestones through flowers.

About Kono Mericlone Co., Ltd.

Since its establishment in 1965, Kono Mericlone Co., Ltd., under the creed "Making both people and flowers beautiful," has been engaged in the breeding and variety improvement of Cymbidium (a type of Western orchid) as its foundation. The company also develops products such as hair growth treatments and beauty/health-related products, and operates tourist facilities where visitors can enjoy flower exhibitions, admire flowers, and purchase goods. In its Cymbidium breeding and variety improvement business, the company has developed over 600 varieties to date. It has won the gold prize twice, in 2002 and 2012, at the Floriade, the world's largest horticultural exhibition held once every 10 years in the horticultural kingdom of the Netherlands.

Leveraging the technology cultivated through orchid research, the company is also advancing product development with a focus on beauty and health, including the medicated hair growth product series "Ranmu," skincare products, and the orchid-infused red wine "Ran no Sei." Furthermore, towards achieving the SDGs, the company is actively engaged in creating a sustainable local community through environmentally friendly greenhouse management, organizing events in collaboration with the local community, and creating employment opportunities.

【Company Profile】

Company Name: Kono Mericlone Co., Ltd.

Head Office Location: 562-1 Kitasho, Waki-cho, Mima-shi, Tokushima Prefecture

Representative Director: Keisuke Kono

Founded: 1965

Business Activities: Breeding, production, and sales of Western orchids (Cymbidium); planning and sales of hair growth products, cosmetics, and health foods; operation of tourist facilities.

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

【Contact for Media Inquiries】

Public Relations Contact: Takeda, Public Relations Strategy Office / Planning and Marketing Office

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

E-mail: [email protected]