Feet firmly planted

A WA company that manufactures and markets an anchoring system for sign posts and street furniture is getting ready to float.

The company hopes to raise $3 million with an opening share price of 20 cents.

However, its prospectus is not yet complete and could still be five weeks away.

KDC Systems has developed a simple system for anchoring road signs in the ground that removes the need for them to be anchored in concrete.

A polyurethane tube is inserted into the ground and a post fitted with two wedges is simply dropped into it. The post automatically locks into place, creating an airtight seal that provides more than 200 kilograms of resistance.

Damaged sign posts are removed by a simple tool also manufactured by KDC.

Its K-Wedge anchoring system is believed to be unique in the world and sells for about $20 Australian. The nearest competing product is made by a UK company and sells for around £100 a unit.

The City of Perth has used the system on some of its street signs and other WA municipalities are catching on.

Some schools have used it to anchor sporting equipment, such as soccer goals.

KDC marketing manager Lisa Hoath said the company had received some overseas interest and a joint venture to sell the product into Europe was close to fruition.

Ms Hoath said KDC was in the process of seeking an underwriter but did not expect to get one, given the age of the company.

“We’re more likely to get a sponsoring broker,” she said.

KDC managing director Brian Kasten developed the product while running a business that supplied playground equipment to local councils.

Other KDC board members include former Wanneroo mayor Brian Cooper and St John Ambulance Australia WA finance director and deputy CEO Tony Ahern.