The funding will help guarantee that even more young people have access to digitally creative activities and give them a better understanding of the future career opportunities digital skills provide, regardless of their gender, background, or where they live.

Zonal was recently voted Family Business of the Year 2018 and for almost 40 years has been designing and delivering technology solutions for the hospitality sector, including its market leading EPoS system, Aztec.  Today, it employs around 550 people with over 200 located at its Tanfield headquarters.

Head of Human Resources, Catriona Dick, said: “Our chief executive’s father, Ralph McLean, devised the UK’s first EPoS solution for his hotel in order to keep track of sales and stock.  Fast forward 39 years and Zonal is number one across the UK when it comes to providing the hospitality sector with technology innovations and we are keen to make sure the next generation have the skillset in place to keep us in pole position.

“We have been impressed by the work of Digital Xtra Fund and are delighted to play our part in supporting more young people as they discover the fantastic range of job opportunities open to them in the blossoming world of digital technology.”

The support from Zonal will form part of the Fund’s annual grant awards for high-quality digital skills initiatives in Scotland and will include visits to the firm’s HQ with mentoring support for students seeking a career in technology.

Kraig Brown, Partnerships & Development Manager, Digital Xtra Fund said: “We are very excited to welcome Zonal as a Partner of Digital Xtra Fund. Zonal is a highly successful family owned technology company and very proud of its Scottish  heritage.   The company is a great innovator and shares our commitment to bridge the digital skills gap through partnership and collaboration.

We look forward to working with the team at Zonal to help inspire more young people across Scotland.”

Digital Xtra Fund was originally established in 2016 and funded through the Digital Scotland Business Excellence Partnership whose partners included both public sector and industry representatives. In March 2017, Digital Xtra Fund became an independent charity to enable it to work with a wider range of partners. In its first year as a charity, the Fund supported 11 fun and engaging digital skills initiatives across Scotland ranging from coding clubs in rural areas to designing apps and technology for social good.

We are always on the hunt for the next big challenge and that’s why abseiling down the 114-metre tall ArcelorMittal Orbit, seemed like something the adrenaline junkies of the team could really sink their teeth into.

The team of nine which included eight members of the Zonal team and one from Hope for Children arrived at the iconic structure in Olympic park on Saturday afternoon all proudly wearing their Zonal and Hope t-shirts ready to ‘freefall abseil’ in the London heatwave. The ArcelorMittal Orbit is the tallest sculpture in the UK, and the abseil took place from the highest viewing platform descending 262 feet.

Once harnessed there was no going back, each member of the team stepped to the very edge of the structure trying to not look down and maintain their composure as they leant backgrounds ready to take the plunge. 8 minutes, countless swearwords and screaming later all nine reached the ground with a big sigh of relief.

Matt Beeching a Zonal Account Manager, who arranged the event said:

“It was an amazing effort from Zonal’s ‘Team Abseil’ and we must say a massive thank you to everyone involved and to all the supporters and sponsors for their generosity. The abseil has raised £5000, and this is still climbing with all proceeds going directly to Hope for Children.”

Collectively we have now raised over £100,000 for Hope for Children and we look forward to further enhancing this with more activities throughout the rest of the year. Find out more about Hope for Children here or see our fundraising efforts on the Zonal page.

As well as winning the national title, the family run business that specialises in providing technology solutions to the hospitality sector, also picked up the Scottish Family Business of the Year award.

Paul Andrews, Founder and Managing Director of Family Business United explained:

“Zonal is a fantastic family firm and is highly deserving of all the plaudits that winning this award brings.”

“What began as a simple EPoS solution to a problem of theft in a family run hotel almost 40 years ago has grown into a great business employing over 540 people, whilst managing to retain its family culture and heritage.  The family is central to the way that the business operates and family values permeate the whole organisation.”

“Respect and caring as values shine through at every level, non-family have been promoted to senior management positions and there is a real culture of innovation and dynamism about the business too.  Zonal is a great ambassador for the UK family business sector and a worthy winner of the Supreme Champion crown for 2018.”

There was a record number of 122 family firms from across the UK shortlisted for 33 awards and the winners were announced at a glittering ceremony at The May Fair Hotel in the heart of Mayfair, London.

Stewart Sanderson, Head of Private Clients at Seven Investment Management, sponsors of the award, added: “It is a privilege to support these awards and to find out more about the fantastic family firms that are the backbone of the UK economy.  Selecting an overall winner is never an easy task and this year was no exception, but Zonal was a clear winner in the eyes of the judges.

“Zonal demonstrates clear family values and business governance, engages well with its employees and is truly innovative in the way that it approaches business.  This is a remarkable family firm and a deserved winner of the title.”

Previous winners of the Supreme Champions award include HMG Paints, WTA Logistics, Potter Group and Bagnalls.

Zonal’s CEO, Stuart McLean, said of the award:

“I am so proud that we are the recipients of both awards and attribute our success to the fantastic team of people who make the wider Zonal family.  My father, Ralph McLean, who founded Zonal almost 40 years would be incredibly proud of our achievements.  This is for him too!”

Zonal’s head office is in Tanfield, Edinburgh and is the leading provider of integrated hospitality management solutions to over 16,000 leisure and hospitality businesses across the UK.  For over 38 years, the company has been working closely with clients to enhance the customer experience through market leading technology, experienced people and a partnership approach to business.

This strategic acquisition will cement Zonal’s position as the largest hospitality EPoS solutions provider in the UK and add a significant footprint in the US where it doubles the size of their North American business.

The US arm of Comtrex is based out of New Jersey and, when added to the current Zonal office in Florida, provides extended coverage of the US market. Richard Hammond, who heads up Zonal’s US division, said: “The team at Comtrex will be a real asset to Zonal and I’m looking forward to continuing to build our combined company as a growing force in the US POS technology world.”

Jeff Rice, Comtrex CEO added: “Zonal is the perfect fit for Comtrex as we are culturally and geographically aligned. Together we can continue on a strong growth path in the years ahead.”

In addition to the US, Comtrex also has a significant UK business. Steve Roberts, the Managing Director of Comtrex UK, says: “I’m delighted to join the Zonal family and excited about working with their team to further strengthen the Comtrex solution and to becoming part of the UK’s most successful EPoS Company.”

Stuart McLean, Zonal’s long-time CEO, comments: “Comtrex is a fantastic addition to the Zonal family with great customers and products on both sides of the Atlantic. I am delighted to welcome Jeff, Steve and the rest of the team at Comtrex to Zonal and look forward to continuing the success they have had over the 30 years their business has been operating.”

Zonal is the leading provider of integrated hospitality management solutions to over 15,000 leisure and hospitality businesses across the UK.  For 39 years the company has been working closely with clients to enhance the customer experience through market leading technology, experienced people and a partnership approach to business.

Comtrex Systems Corporation is a software developer, systems integrator and designer of point-of-sale (POS) electronic information systems for the restaurant and quick service food industry.

Completion of the transaction is subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of all required third party approvals, and to the approval of the holders of Comtrex common stock, by the affirmative vote of holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Comtrex. Holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Comtrex common stock have entered into voting agreements with Zonal whereby they have agreed to vote their shares in favour of the transaction. The transaction is expected to be consummated as soon as practical following the completion of all conditions to closing.

 Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding, among other things, Zonal’s and Comtrex’s beliefs, plans, objectives, strategies, estimates, intentions and expectations. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believe”, “potential”, ”expect”, “estimate”, “would”, “could”, “intend”, “will”, “if”, and “may”. These forward-looking statements are based upon a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and, accordingly, are not guarantees of future performance. Future developments may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, due to, among other factors, the risks and uncertainties inherent in the business and operations of Comtrex and Zonal. Other than as required by applicable law, Zonal undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any such forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Zonal is pleased to announce that it has appointed Vikki Macleod as a non-executive Director of the Board to help accelerate Zonal’s exciting new technologies and underpin their continued commitment to product and service excellence.

Vikki brings a wealth of technology skills and experience from a varied technology career including; Tesco, Xafinity and Virgin.  She will provide both strategic and operational consultancy to Zonals R&D and product strategy functions as the company continues to grow and invest in its customers’ future. Zonal remains at the forefront of hospitality solutions and partnership development, providing their customers with cutting-edge products and services to meet the ever-changing needs of the industry. In addition she will advise on the strategic direction of the company using her many years’ experience of helping rapidly growing software companies achieve their potential.

 “I am thrilled to be joining such a forward thinking company, they have an exciting and innovative range of solutions and I can’t wait to help shape their direction, both current and future”

Stuart McLean, Zonals CEO, said “Vikki is joining us at a truly pivotal time for our company.  Her experience of working at the highest level will add tremendous value to our organisation.

I’m really looking forward to working with her and continuing Zonal’s exciting journey that started almost 40 years ago”

From The Beckhams and Harry and Meghan, to Marc Antony and Cleopatra, even Mr Darcy and Elizabeth, the concept of the power couple has long been established.  Two parties – both influential in their own right – combine to create an unstoppable force. Together they’re capable of achieving much more than they could ever have done on their own.

From our experience, we believe the hospitality environment is long overdue an influential duo of its own – cue marketing and IT – the new power couple on the block.

It’s not that long ago that these two unlikely soulmates were deemed as compatible as The Joker and Batman. At first glance they may not seem the most suitable partners, with both departments remaining in their individual silos unless it was to sort a technical hiccup.

The traditional perception depicts marketing as dreamers, big on ideas but not so hot when it comes to practical implementation, whilst those working in IT were the geeks in the basement, geniuses with software, but with little understanding of how that could benefit the customer.

However, times have changed.

Marketing and IT are today’s modern power couple, and together create an unstoppable force to meet modern customer expectations. They now work hand-in-hand to conceive, create, and deliver customer experiences that have a real impact on performance.

IT professionals are no longer ‘just’ enablers, bringing marketing ideas to fruition. Instead, both departments now explore technological possibilities together, mapping out valuable enhancements to the customer journey. By working in partnership, Marketing and IT are driving significant change and business growth. The success of their role is no longer just a department responsibility, it depends on each other – and as for the success of the business, that depends on their collective efforts as a team.

A recent event hosted by Zonal and Wireless Social, celebrated the huge added value that a business receives when its marketing and IT departments combine forces.  Attended by some of the leading power couples in high street hospitality, including Pho Café’s head of marketing & PR, Libby Andrews and head of IT, Zed Callaghan, and Casual Dining Group’s chief customer officer, Celia Pronto and chief information officer, Michael Shaw, as well as Carluccio’s marketing director James Backhouse and head of IT Jon Taylor, the room was abuzz with discussion and debate about current and future trends and the impact these new unions are having on the sector.

Celia Pronto highlighted that it’s due to the modern change in attitude that has led to this ‘marriage made in heaven’.  As they say, opposites do attract, and through collaboration and mutual respect, the barriers between the ‘creatives’ and the ‘techies’ have been broken down forever.

And unsurprisingly, the overriding theme to emerge from the event was: single customer focus.

The strength of this new power couple lies in the alignment of a key goal – the customer. Conversations aren’t focused solely on launching new products or littered with meaningless catchphrases. They are focused on doing what’s best for the customer. In a competitive marketplace, it’s the customer experience you deliver that truly helps you stand out from your competitors.

The Edinburgh-based company, which provides technology solutions to the hospitality sector, was also one of the top 100 family firms, with only 165 making the annual list compiled by respected business magazine, Insider.

The listing considers various statistics including turnover, profit and numbers of employees.  Zonal’s chief executive, Stuart McLean, said: “We are proud to have made the list and appear alongside such iconic and diverse Scottish businesses such as Stagecoach and Chivas brothers.”

“Zonal has come a long way since being established by my father almost 40 years ago, and today you can walk down any high street and find a Zonal solution in a pub, bar or restaurant. He would be very proud of what we’ve achieved and the business diversity and innovation that is coming out of Scotland.”

Zonal was the workplace of choice for Ben Macpherson MSP to round off a week of activity to celebrate Scottish Apprenticeship Week.

Mr Macpherson, who is the MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, visited Zonal due to its track record of creating employment for apprentices within the specialist technology sector.

Zonal has fully supported the apprenticeship programme for the past five years, developing the skills and offering full time employment to 25 young people.

Zonal’s head of HR, Catriona Dick, said: “Being at the forefront of technology innovation, Zonal is always on the hunt for talent to nurture and develop as our business continues to go from strength to strength.   The apprenticeship programme has been incredibly successful, not only for us as a business, but for the young people we have had a chance to train and develop into valuable team members.

“Today’s visit is a great moment for all of us involved in the apprenticeship programme and we are thrilled to have this recognition.”

The first apprentice to join Zonal was Dave Williamson, 23, who has now achieved his Level 5 and worked his way up the career ladder from help centre apprentice to technical support analyst.  He said: “I have enjoyed every moment of my time at Zonal and the knowledge and qualifications I have achieved have surpassed my initial ambitions.”

“I now have the confidence to further develop my skills and have the support structure in place to move forward and upwards!”

The family firm, that will be celebrating 40 years in business next year, has also used the new design to refresh the corporate website and launch a new dedicated recruitment website. Zonal has invested in this new recruitment tool to help facilitate its expansion and to find the best people to add to  its 500-strong team located across the UK, including its head office in Tanfield, Edinburgh.

“I am so proud of Zonal and the journey we have taken over the last 39 years, and our new brand we have unveiled today is modern and reflective of our ambitious growth plans for the next decade and beyond.”

Stuart McLean, Chief Executive

Zonal is looking to create 100 additional jobs as the tech giant continues to invest record levels in R&D, in excess of £5 million, and introduce innovative products during 2018, which will secure its position as market leader.