A glance at Kimtigo's office in Pingshan District. Photos from Duchuang, Industry and Information Technology Bureau of Pingshan District, and Pingshan Media Center

Kimtigo, a high-tech company based in Pingshan, is dedicated to advancing data storage technologies. Specializing in various types of storage products including consumer, industrial control, enterprise, and embedded storage, Kimtigo excels in tailoring data storage solutions to meet specific market and application needs. 

Kimtigo boasts unique strengths in semiconductor data storage product design, customized firmware development, wafer and package testing, module manufacturing, product compatibility and adaptability testing, alongside an independent brand sales system.

Recognized as a national-level “little giant” company for using special and sophisticated technologies to produce novel and unique products, Kimtigo has consistently ranked among the top five global suppliers of consumer solid-state drives and memory products. In an interview, Kimtigo’s chairman Li Chuangfeng said he anticipates a continuous expansion in their market share, further solidifying their global presence.

Kimtigo’s chairman Li Chuangfeng (2nd L) with colleagues in his company.

Before entering the semiconductor sector, Li did clothing business in his hometown in Puning City, Guangdong and had explored Dongmen in Shenzhen for market opportunities. He later transitioned to electronics business in Huaqiangbei, known as Asia’s largest electronics market.

Starting with a loan of 150,000 yuan in 2000, Li initially sold CPUs in Huaqiangbei, quickly recouping his investment within a year due to high market demand. Despite high profits, Li’s ambitions led him to pivot towards establishing Kimtigo.

However, the road to success was not smooth at the beginning. Since he used the low-price strategy, the repair rate of his OEM products was as high as 20%-30%, causing Li to suffer consecutive losses within three months.

Recognizing the importance of quality, Li shifted his focus to enhancing product reliability by collaborating with high-quality manufacturers for OEM production, a strategic move that significantly decreased repair rates. Li then began to cooperate with some domestic computer brands. “These brands have also suffered from the quality problems, and when they saw my high-quality products, they immediately placed orders,” Li recalled. In 2008, Kimtigo had already ranked 8th in the global memory sales.

Patents and recognitions of Kimtigo are on display at the company's office in Pingshan.

Emphasizing innovation and cost-efficiency, Li invested in building a robust R&D team, driving patent acquisitions across various operational facets. By Oct. 31, 2023, Kimtigo held over 200 intellectual property rights, underscoring its commitment to innovation, manufacturing excellence, and stringent quality control measures.

The relocation of Kimtigo to Pingshan in 2017 marked a significant milestone in the company’s expansion strategy. Li praises Pingshan for its ample space, growth opportunities, and pragmatic governmental support. Highlighting the ecosystem of Pingshan as conducive for employee well-being, Li cites Julong Mountain Park and Pingshan River as ideal venues for staff recreational activities.

With a reputation for pioneering technologies in the semiconductor storage sector, Kimtigo actively contributes to setting national standards for semiconductor devices, underscoring its pivotal position in the industry. 

A glance at the Kimtigo company in Pingshan District.

Pingshan’s burgeoning ecosystem, boasting over 120 semiconductor and integrated circuit companies, research institutions, and innovation platforms, as well as its supportive policies and talent introduction, have created a favorable business environment for Kimtigo’s sustainable growth and technological advancement, Li commented. 

Kimtigo is currently constructing an intelligent building in the Shatian area in the district. “With a strong foothold in Pingshan, Kimtigo is poised to lead the charge in advancing Chinese storage solutions worldwide,” Li said.