Kang Tao

Kang Tao (康陶) – Full Corporate Profile
Origin: Taiwan Current Headquarters: China Industry: Weapons Manufacturing, Security Services, Mercenary Contracting Specialties: Smart-guns, Caseless Gyrojet Ammunition, Advanced Firearm Technology Status: Recognized Megacorporation (by 2077) Reputation: Innovative, government-backed, aggressive, and controversial

Culture

Corporate Culture and Employment
Kang Tao ranked as the fourth most desirable corporation to work for in Night City in 2077. Employees were offered elite Trauma Team Gold insurance packages, indicating strong support for personnel safety. However, employment came with a catch: all employees were required to sign a 50-year loyalty pledge. This contract bound them to the company for life unless they were able to buy out their agreement—a clause seen as draconian by critics

Public Agenda

Public Relations and Inter-Corporate Relations
Since its rebirth in the 2050s, Kang Tao has maintained a strong public image, bolstered by its close ties to the Chinese government. These connections have shielded the company from many political and legal consequences and allowed it to operate with impunity in many regions. Nations viewed Kang Tao as a stable and attractive business partner, especially for arms procurement.
However, relations with other megacorporations were strained. Kang Tao has a reputation for corporate espionage and technology theft. It has been accused multiple times of stealing research from rival firms, using covert methods to gain a competitive edge. While this aggressive behavior has made Kang Tao unpopular with competitors, it has only strengthened its standing in the global market.
Controversies
Kang Tao is no stranger to controversy. The company has a history of alleged negligence, with numerous accidents and casualties tied to its operations. The 2077 Hangzhou explosion remains one of the most devastating and controversial incidents in corporate history. Despite being officially cleared, the event stained Kang Tao's image further.
Additionally, Kang Tao’s underhanded tactics in acquiring research, including stealing breakthroughs from competitors, have led to industry-wide mistrust. These actions are typically kept hidden from the public, managed through rigorous information control and government-backed silence.

History

Origins and Early Success (Pre-2020s) Kang Tao began as a small firearm manufacturing division based in Taiwan. It initially gained popularity in the Asian black market and street level due to its reliable and inexpensive pistols. These weapons quickly became favored by gangers and small-time enforcers throughout Asia, helping Kang Tao carve out a niche for itself in a saturated arms market.
Reputation: Known for producing cost-effective, street-reliable pistols.
Market: Strong demand from low-tier criminal organizations and street-level enforcers across Asia.
Independence: Despite the turbulent environment, the company remained independent and operational from Taiwan.
Collapse During the DataKrash (2020) In the wake of the DataKrash, a catastrophic event that brought down net infrastructure globally:
The CEO of Kang Tao committed suicide, a devastating blow to company morale and operations.
The organization was left leaderless and adrift, entering a period of sharp decline.
Despite its weapons still being in use, the company struggled to maintain relevance and solvency.
⚔️ Post-War Reconstruction and Rise (2040s) After the Fourth Corporate War, Asia was ravaged by conflict and political instability. China, like many others, was deeply scarred by the effects. But from these ashes came new opportunities:
In 2046, a major restructuring of Kang Tao began with the appointment of Colonel Shiming Xu, a former Chinese army officer, to helm the failing company.
At this time, the corporation was considered obsolete, and it survived only due to government subsidies.
Xu began modernizing the company, cutting debt, revamping management, and rebranding its future.
In 2050, after four years of reorganization, Kang Tao made its public comeback with the launch of the A-22B Chao "smart" pistol.
This weapon integrated advanced targeting and tracking technologies.
It marked Kang Tao’s entrance into the “smart weapons” market.
Their edge: alleged close ties with the Chinese government, which granted them access to funding and national defense contracts.
Throughout the 2050s–2060s, Kang Tao:
Rapidly expanded its research and manufacturing capabilities.
Invested heavily in state-of-the-art R&D facilities.
Overcame competitors, positioning itself alongside Tsunami Arms and Arasaka as a top-tier global weapons manufacturer.
Dominance and Growth (2070s) By 2072, Kang Tao had tripled its stock value.
It was now recognized as a leading weapons exporter in Asia.
Its success was fueled by:
Ongoing government collaboration.
The global demand for smart weaponry.
Capitalizing on post-war instability and the militarization of urban spaces.
Kang Tao’s weapons and surveillance technologies were now found throughout Asia and globally, catering to both military and corporate security clients.
Hangzhou Disaster & Public Controversy (2077) In 2077, disaster struck:
A massive explosion at a Kang Tao refinery in Hangzhou killed over 50,000 people.
Official investigations cleared the corporation of negligence.
However, public opinion was damning, with many suspecting corporate mismanagement, cover-ups, or sabotage.
The tragedy tarnished Kang Tao’s image, but didn’t significantly derail its business operations.
Expansion into Night City (2077) In the same year, Kang Tao looked to expand into Night City, specifically the Pacifica district, a crime-ridden and largely neglected zone.
The city council, desperate to clean up Pacifica, offered a deal: sell the district cheaply if Kang Tao could eliminate crime in the area.
As of 2077, no official deal had been finalized.
Corporate Culture & Employee Conditions (2077) Reputation:
Ranked #4 among the top corporations to work for in Night City.
Employee Perks:
Offers a Trauma Team Gold insurance package, providing high-tier emergency medical response.
Controversial Policy:
Requires employees to sign a 50-year loyalty pledge, effectively binding them to Kang Tao for life unless they can negotiate or buy out their contracts.
Raises ethical concerns about employee freedom and corporate ownership of personnel.

"This is Kang Tao. This is intelligence."

Founding Date

1990

Type

Megacorporation