Heading towards the future with the strengths of the tiger.

The Chinese New Year on February 1 marks the start of the “Year of the Tiger”. In Chinese culture, the tiger has a deeper symbolism – it stands for strength and is valued not only for its beauty and determination, but also for its courage. In China, the tiger is considered the king of all animals. The year of the tiger was preceded by the year of the buffalo which is now coming to an end.

Since the Chinese calendar is a so-called lunisolar calendar in contrast to the Gregorian calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on different days. New Year’s Day falls on a new moon between January 21 and February 21.

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^{The tiger: Symbol of many excellent qualities like bravery, strength, power, valor or fearlessness}

Chinese New Year is celebrated not only in China itself, but by about a quarter of the world’s population, for example, in parts of Korea, Mongolia or Buthan. It is the most important traditional festival in China and the most significant celebration for families during the year. Within the framework of veritable migration flows, millions of people go home and celebrate the turn of the year together with their families for 16 days.

The symbolism and characteristics of the tiger are a good fit for Feintool – in China as well as at all other locations. The challenges we face require a joint effort and also great entrepreneurial courage and confidence.

Pandemic-related restrictions, sudden supply bottlenecks and volatile energy prices are external factors that will have to be mastered in the coming months and years. And with electromobility, the entire value chain of the automotive industry and its “ecosystem” is changing.

^{The Feintool plant in Taicang, located 75 kilometres north-west of Shanghai city center}

Feintool will continue to be a reliable partner in the era of electromobility and will actively shape the transformation with its electric sheet stamping, fineblanking and forming technologies. With the acquisition of motor core specialist Kienle + Spiess, we have decisively strengthened our e-sheet expertise. The partnership with Sitec in China will take us a major step forward in the production of bipolar plates. And with the expansion of the Taicang and Jessen sites into electrical sheet competence centers, we are ensuring our ability to supply high-precision and durable components for the battery-electric powertrain.

«Our investments in the field of electromobility are an important signal to our customers. We are clearly stating that Feintool can do electromobility.» Dr. Xiangjun Bao, Managing Director, China

With the strength, courage and determination of the tiger, then, Feintool is striding forward into a successful year. Truly good omens!

^{The Feintool plant in Tianjin, in northern China, close to the capital Beijing}