AN Upton-upon-Severn manufacturer is hoping the door to success will be firmly open now it has invested £150,000 in a new factory and more jobs.

Permadoor is all set to open its third factory and employ 15 new workers at the Enigma Business Park in Malvern on Monday, June 4.

With a staff of 107 employees, factories in both Upton and Tewkesbury, and construction of 40,000 doors this year, Permadoor has grown rapidly since it began life as Door Panels Ltd in 1985.

Managing director Paul Nugent said the business was keeping pace with the growing market.

"We make doors for the local authorities, the housing association markets and the DIY market," he said.

"The local authorities' conversion of housing stock through large scale voluntary transfers means cash is available to refurbish housing and that's where our product fits in.

"Every door we make is made-to-measure individually for each house.

"Year-on-year for the first quarter the business has grown by 23 per cent.

"It's just a very successful company and this is a positive step for Permadoor and the local area."

Mr Nugent said that the massive increase in DIY stores had definitely helped the business to grow.

"The DIY market is one important part of our business," he added.

"We supply to Wickes, B&Q and Great Mills.

"We've got 300 big customers, from Scotland down to the south coast.

"We've also got our own distribution company, a sales force that's regionally based and regionally based service engineers.

"We're an extremely profitable company and we're expecting this year to be our highest turnover year."

He forecast the company would grow 20 per cent year on year and in the longer term amalgamate on to one site.

"We don't know where yet, but we need to find a site for an 80,000 sq ft factory," said Mr Nugent, as he praised his staff for the company's success.

"Without them it wouldn't matter how good the product was."