From Unknown Company to 140-Fold Growth... This Firm Pays Performance Bonuses Up to 70 Million KRW

Technology Built Top-down, Culture Grown Bottom-up
140-fold Growth in a Decade Driven by Technical Excellence
Sharing Results and Incentives, People-centered Management
TK Holdings Pursues Group Synergy and Mutual Growth with Startups

"Because I didn't give up and endured, opportunities eventually came my way."

Kim Kyungsoo, CEO of Taeil CNT, reflected on the company's journey of rapid growth during a press briefing hosted by the Korea Management Innovation Small and Medium Business Association (MainBiz Association) on June 26. His challenge began in 2013 when he left his former company and acquired an unknown construction firm. The road was far from smooth. He faced a series of crises, including a lack of funds and the departure of key personnel, but persevered and found a way forward. Kim credited overcoming these crises to the support from those around him and his employees, emphasizing, "Through technology and people-centered management, I will continue to build a better future."

Technology is 'Top-down'... A Company Specializing in High-difficulty Construction

Taeil CNT traces its roots back to 'Jiin Development,' established in 1994. The company, which was virtually unknown, started anew when Kim acquired it and changed its name in 2013. At that time, annual sales were only 500 million KRW, but through continuous technological development and innovation, it grew to reach 70 billion KRW as of last year. This marks a 140-fold increase in sales over just over a decade.

This growth was made possible by its advanced construction technology for complex projects. Taeil CNT is especially specialized in the 'top-down' construction method, which is well-suited for urban projects. The top-down method involves constructing underground structures from the top down, allowing aboveground and underground work to proceed simultaneously. This shortens construction periods and offers structural stability. While it is technically demanding, it is considered the most efficient method for urban sites that require deep excavation in limited spaces. Taeil CNT combined this method with the KY Table, and has built a track record by meeting the 'four essentials of construction': cost, schedule, quality, and safety.

Kim Kyungsoo, CEO of Taeil CNT, is inspecting whether the improvements for high-risk tasks at the construction site are being properly implemented. Main Biz Association

Major achievements include the Samsung Electronics Pyeongtaek Semiconductor Campus (phases 1 to 5), the NCSoft Global RDI Center, Suwon Gwanggyo Emart, and the CJ Nonsan Cookit Factory. The company has proven its competitiveness in sites that require precision construction, such as semiconductor fabs, substations, and knowledge industry centers. As a result, it continues to collaborate with Samsung C&T, SK Ecoplant, GS Engineering & Construction, and others.

Culture is 'Bottom-up'... A People-centered Company

If technology flows from the top down, Taeil CNT's corporate culture is structured from the bottom up. This stems from Kim's management philosophy of respecting and valuing employees. His commitment to "building a company that grows together with its employees" is realized through the principle of "fair distribution of results." Some employees receive performance bonuses equivalent to their annual salaries, with the highest bonus reaching up to 70 million KRW. Kim emphasized, "It's not just for show; it's important to consistently create and accumulate these examples."

This approach is rooted in his field experience. Kim recalled his time as a site manager at another company: "The company made it sound like they would give us something, but in the end, there was nothing. I questioned why I should work harder." He added, "The role of a manager is to share results with employees and open up paths for their growth."

Kim Kyungsoo, CEO of Taeil CNT, spoke at a press briefing hosted by the Korea Management Innovation Small and Medium Business Association (MainBiz Association) on the 26th of last month. MainBiz Association

This culture has also expanded into ESG management. Participatory management is realized through platforms such as the 'Suggestion Box,' which allows direct communication with the CEO, and the 'Idea Board,' which gathers employee opinions. A notable example is the company-wide contest held to decide the title of a book authored by Kim, symbolizing this culture. In addition, the labor-management council discusses major management and safety issues together, and the outcomes are transparently shared every month via groupware.

Taeil CNT Aspires to Become an 'M&A Specialist'

Interestingly, Taeil CNT aims to go beyond specialized construction and transform into a mid-sized company specializing in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). To this end, Kim has planned the establishment of 'TK Holdings,' with a total capital of 300 billion KRW. TK Holdings will consist of four affiliates: Taeil CNT (200 billion KRW), Taejin Innovation (80 billion KRW), Taekyung Innovation (20 billion KRW), and Sherpa Ventures (2 billion KRW). The goal is to open a new horizon at the group level by pursuing M&A and creating synergy among affiliates.

Among these, Sherpa Ventures is a strategic entity dedicated to startup investment. It currently operates 10 investment funds, with some funds also involving employees and partner companies. A representative investment case is 'Rosetta Tech,' a fire prevention solution company. Taeil CNT made its first early-stage investment in Rosetta Tech in 2017, both domestically and internationally. Rosetta Tech is now preparing for a NASDAQ listing, leveraging its AI-based fire prediction technology. Kim emphasized that his goal is not just simple investment, but mutual growth, saying, "I want to share my business experience with startups and see them succeed."