KBA is confident it will attract more investment for research when it moves up a list-ing division on the German Stock Exchange.


The Wrzburg-based comp-any has a capital stock value of 25.3m (E41.6m) and is currently listed on the SDAX index, which is for smaller public companies.


KBA director of investor relations Jan Stradtmann said: "It is a very important change in the way the company is valued. The change to the MDAX index will move us out of the smaller companies listing.


"The MDAX is for the top 70 medium-sized companies," he added.


Stradtmann said that the transfer would take place by 21 September at the latest, although no firm date had been set.


"Were sure that well get a lot more interest in investment. It should increase our research capacity and shows us moving from the old economy to the new economy. Sometimes companies on the SDAX are away from the focus of investors," he added.


KBAs shares have an annual growth rate of 39.6%.


Last year, the company increased sales by 17% to 622.3m and recorded a net income of 30.5m.


Story by John Davies