THE Minister for Work, Jane Kennedy, visited a Wirral company on Monday to celebrate a 25-fold increase in jobs.

The MP for Liverpool Wavertree met staff at JPF Systems after the company increased its workforce from four to 100 over eight years.

The firm specialises in aluminium windows and doors.

Managing director Mike Parker said: "Our growth and profitability have allowed us to extensively invest in our development, as well as providing local people with good jobs and long-term prospects."

JPF Systems moved from Wales to Bromborough eight years ago. In addition to the extra staff, it is also adding 8,000sq ft to the existing 18,000sq ft factory.

New machinery has also helped increase profitability. The firm's technical director, Nick Judge, credits much of their success to investment. "The investments we have made extend to procuring highly sophisticated manufacturing machinery, which will further enhance and maintain our growth for the future," he said..

JPF has also set up the Automatic Door Company which now employs 30 staff, and numbers are expected to increase.

Both companies have been supported by Wirral council's economic investment team, Wirral Direct.

Wirral South MP Ben Chapman, said: "Such a high-profile visit is fitting reward for the dedicated work the management team and employees have put into developing their share of the market."