Zentek wins major contract after EFG boost

EDUCATION sector ICT specialist Zentek Solutions has won a seven figure contract with a Herefordshire school.

The Bolton-based firm has won the contract to supply and install all ICT equipment and infrastructure at Minster College, in Leominster.

It has been able to deliver the contract after securing a £200,000 Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) loan from The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).

The RBS EFG funding will cover Zentek’s initial increase in costs resulting from the start of the contract.      

Zentek specialises in delivering ICT projects in the education sector including everything from the design of networks to implementing internet safety programmes which ensure children are protected from online threats. 

Zentek’s clients include primary, secondary and specialist colleges across the UK.

Zulf Ali, managing director of Zentek Solutions, said: “Winning the Minster College contract is a significant achievement and is part of our plan to grow the business by expanding into new geographic areas. 

“Securing additional funding from the EFG scheme is particularly important because at the start of any large contract there is a sizeable increase in costs that needs to be covered. 

“We now have the working capital in place to absorb these overheads.” 

Established in 1996, Zentek employs 29 staff at its base on St Mark’s Street in Bolton. 

The business has a turnover of £4.7m and Zentek’s directors are confident of growing this figure by winning more orders like the Minster College contract.    

RBS’s business and commercial banking team based in Bolton provided the EFG funding. 

Relationship director Phil Harrison said: “Zentek is a great example of a local business making a big impact in a national market sector due to the quality of services it provides. 

“We are very pleased to support their latest contract win and look forward to working with them on future projects.”