If you have been communicating with our team over the past couple of weeks, you might have noticed an Out of Office auto-reply mentioning the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year. As we officially return to our desks and factory floors today, we want to take a brief moment to share the cultural significance behind this break, and more importantly, what our return means for your upcoming lighting projects.
The Cultural Context: Why the Break, Why the Red, and Why the Horse?
For our overseas partners who might be curious, the Lunar New Year is the most significant holiday in China. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, its dates shift slightly every year based on lunar cycles.
2026 is the Year of the Horse. In Chinese culture, the Horse is a powerful symbol of unbridled energy, rapid progress, and immediate success—an idiom we use is Ma Dao Cheng Gong.
During this season, you will see the color Red everywhere. Historically, red was believed to ward off bad spirits. Today, it is the ultimate symbol of good fortune, joy, and prosperity. It is a time when our hard-working engineers, factory staff, and global sales teams return to their hometowns to rest, reunite with family, and recharge for the year ahead.
"Kai Gong": More Than Just Going Back to Work
Today marks our Kai Gong (literally: starting work). In China, the first day back is not merely a return to the daily grind; it is a ritual filled with positive intentions for a smooth and prosperous year.
What does this mean for you? It means Asahi Optics is fully powered up. Our Kai Gong signifies that:
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Production Lines are Humming: Our manufacturing facilities are back online at 100% capacity.
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Supply Chain is Secure: Raw materials are stocked, and logistics networks are fully operational.
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Ready for Delivery: Whether you have existing orders or urgent new demands for custom optical lenses, our teams are on standby 24/7 to ensure on-time delivery. We are rested, focused, and ready to execute.
Sharing the Hongbao: Our Strategic Roadmap for 2026
One of the most beloved traditions of Kai Gong is the distribution of the Hongbao (Red Envelope) by company management to employees. While it contains a small financial bonus, its true meaning is the sharing of good luck and momentum.
While we cannot hand a physical red envelope through the screen to our valued overseas clients, we want to share our momentum with you through our strategic plans for the year.
The Year of the Horse is about moving fast and pushing boundaries.
Meet Us at Light + Building 2026, Frankfurt
We are thrilled to invite you to connect with the Asahi Optics executive and engineering teams face-to-face in Germany this March.
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Event: Light + Building 2026
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Booth: Hall 4.0 E57
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Dates: 8th - 13th March 2026
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Location: Messe Frankfurt, Germany
Let's Build Success Together
The break is over, and the real work begins. We want to thank you for your patience during our holiday and for your continued trust in Asahi Optics.
May the Year of the Horse bring your business swift progress, robust growth, and brilliant success. If you are attending Light + Building, please reach out to your sales representative to schedule a meeting.
We are back. We are ready. Let's make 2026 extraordinary.
