TATTON MP Esther McVey has praised a company for developing young talent.

Knutsford-based Packaging Automation, which designs and manufactures packaging machinery, welcomed Ms McVey, to its factory at Parkgate Industrial Estate.

Ms McVey was invited to meet the directors and employees of the award-winning, family-owned business and hear how it has grown over the past four years and the important role the company’s apprenticeship scheme has played in providing specialist engineers to support this growth.

During the visit she talked to employees who have trained as apprentices, several of who have achieved engineering degrees with the support of the company.

Neil Ashton, operations director said: “We were delighted that Esther was able to take time out of her busy schedule to learn more about the business and our apprentices past and present.

“We are proud to have provided an apprenticeship for more than 44 local youngsters, with 14 currently in training with us.”

Ms McVey said: “As the constituency MP, I was pleased to visit a long-standing local company and see their innovation as they develop machines which get shipped for use around the world.

“In my role of Secretary of State for Work and Pensions it was good to meet a number of apprentices and hear about their routes into the business. The use of apprentices is such a fundamental part of their business, and it was great to hear how focused they were on developing that talent.”

In 2014, the family-owned business set a growth target, and since then has seen turnover increase by more than 50 per cent.

Packaging Automation Ltd was established in 1963, and is a leading UK manufacturer of tray sealing and pot filling and sealing machinery.