Trade Companies?

[kalos72]

Has anyone put an y thought or story line into how trade companies might develop?

I am thinking evil Weyland style companies that strip a town clean and ship it back "home" at the expense of the locals.

Even to the point of trading things like narcotics, creating junkies and then forcing the habit to get the locals to sell their souls...figuratively.

Or maybe something less sinister and just details/thoughts on how trade would start in your own campaigns?