MOST companies celebrate their landmark achievements with parties.

But the Bolton directors of a phone firm celebrate their 20th year of business in a little more style — by flying all their staff to Paris.

A group of 27 employees from Incom Business Systems (IBS) and their partners flew to the French capital for an all-expenses-paid weekend.

The aim of the trip was to celebrate the anniversary, and to thank the staff for their hard work in helping make the company successful.

Bolton businessmen David Hughes and Jason Kilvert bought IBS in a management buyout in 2004 and have significantly expanded its activities since then.

Now, IBS is a nationwide company, based in Trafford Park, offering business communication solutions, ranging from traditional telephone systems to fully integrated voice and data packages.

The company provides a one stop shop for all its customers’ communication needs, including telephone lines and calls, broadband, mobile, IT and data services.

IBS has found the recession has meant that companies are looking to save on communications systems and have been receptive to ideas and solutions put forward by the IBS team.

Last year, the company’s turnover was around £2.5 million and this year it hopes to hit £3 million.

Director David Hughes, who lives in Westhoughton, said: “We are very proud of coming from Bolton and many of our staff come from the Bolton, Horwich, Farnworth and Kearsley areas.

“We wanted to celebrate the landmark of 20 years in business but also to reward and thank our staff for their hard work.”

The party visited the top of the Eiffel Tower, tucked into an a la carte lunch on a luxury cruise along the River Seine and experienced the exotic Brasil Tropicale cabaret, as well as having free time to explore Paris Mr Hughes said: “During the period we have been in business, the developments in technology and equipment have been vast.

“We have adapted to changes in the market and adopted new technologies along the way.

“Being at the leading edge of the industry after 20 years in business is a massive achievement in itself.

“To have brought so many loyal colleagues on this fantastic journey was the icing on the cake.”

Staff described the complimentary trip as “overwhelming” and “brilliant” and said that they felt they were being rewarded for their commitment to the company.

Sales manager Grant Counsell, of Lostock, said, “I felt that the weekend brought an already close team even closer.”