Key Technologies named as second company to join Investbx

Investbx, the groundbreaking online share trading platform for West Midlands-based SME businesses, has today named engineering firm Key Technologies PLC as its second company.

Key Technologies was formerly known as STS International Limited, changing its name on admission to reflect plans to acquire companies with distinctive brands outside the established “STS” brand name.

Key Technologies is owned by the directors of private investment firm Grove Industries and the management of the company. It operates through four divisions at four sites around the UK, including its HQ and manufacturing base at Cradley Heath in the West Midlands.

The company, which raised £1.8m [net of expenses] in the fund raising that accompanied the lnvestbx admission, has 232 employees and declared annual sales of £18.7m in the year ended 30 June 2008.

Serving the West Midlands region, Investbx represents the first virtual trading platform of its kind in Britain.

Its purpose is to help small to medium businesses raise capital for growth, in exchange for shares.

Investbx raises the equity on behalf of the companies, unlike traditional markets that rely on third parties.

Admission to the trading platform is via a simplified process, created and developed by some of the leading professionals in the community.

Investors are provided with independent research on which to base their investment decisions and, via an auction-driven platform, will have the capability to trade their shares.

Investbx’s focus is on developing successful partnerships with companies, investors and advisers.