Early Life and Education
Min Hwan Kao was born in Zhushan, Nantou County, Taiwan, in 1949. He grew up in a modest family and showed an early aptitude for mathematics and science. After completing his primary and secondary education in Taiwan, Kao pursued higher education in the United States, earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from National Taiwan University. He continued his studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he obtained his Master of Science and Ph.D. in electrical engineering in 1977.
Rise to Success
Kao's career began with research for NASA and the U.S. Army. He later worked as a systems analyst for Teledyne Systems and held positions at Magnavox Advanced Products, King Radio Corporation, and AlliedSignal. In 1989, Kao co-founded Garmin with Gary Burrell in Lenexa, Kansas. The company name, a portmanteau of their names, quickly became synonymous with innovation in GPS technology. Under Kao's leadership, Garmin expanded from marine navigation to aviation, automotive, and wearable technology markets, becoming a global leader in the industry.
Key Business Strategies
Garmin's success is attributed to several key strategies. These include a focus on vertical integration, controlling all aspects of product development, manufacturing, marketing, and sales. This approach allowed Garmin to maintain high quality, respond quickly to market changes, and innovate continuously. The company's diverse product portfolio, spanning multiple markets, has also been crucial, enabling Garmin to mitigate risks and capitalize on various growth opportunities.
Philanthropy
Min Kao is also known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in supporting education. He and his wife, Fan Kao, have made significant contributions to the University of Tennessee, including a $12.5 million donation towards a new engineering building. The building was later named the Min H. Kao Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building. Kao also donated to the University of Kansas and Kansas State University for the building of engineering labs.
