Zonal Retail Data Systems is celebrating having scooped the Business Innovation Award at the prestigious Herald Scottish Family Business Awards.
Run in association with Business Gateway, the awards recognise and reward family businesses of all sizes and sectors in Scotland.
Now in their third year, the awards celebrate the success of the diverse, dynamic and innovative family business sector, and the contribution which these firms make to the communities in which they operate and to the wider economy.
Edinburgh-based Zonal, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary, was recognised for its technology that revolutionises the way orders are taken in hospitality businesses by its innovative mobile solutions iServe and iOrder.
Zonal remains a family business with founder, Ralph McLean’s son, Stuart now CEO and five family members on the board. Family values are important to the culture of the company and are at the heart of its relationship with its employees and customers.
Commenting on the accolade, Zonal’s chief executive Stuart McLean said: “What a year it has been for Zonal! We started 2014 by winning the Family Business of the Year award, a few months ago we moved to our new headquarters at Tanfield and, at the weekend, we celebrated our 35th year in business with a gala dinner. This prestigious award recognises our contribution to innovation and developing technologies that truly revolutionise the consumer experience when going out for a drink, meal or overnight stay.
“It shows how family businesses, which can sometimes be perceived as conservative, can use their traditional values to their advantage to develop ground breaking solutions. What a great way to end a great year.”
Zonal was established in 1979 when Ralph McLean created the first EPoS system which developed into the current Zonal Aztec product range used in thousands of businesses throughout Scotland, the UK and the US.
The awards ceremony took place at a gala dinner at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow.