A BOLTON educational computer technology firm has been bought out by a larger rival.

Zentek Solutions, in St Marks Street, has been taken over by Tribune Business Systems for an undisclosed sum.

As part of the buyout deal, Tribune will acquire Zentek’s schools-based ICT service contracts and all staff will be transferred to Tribune.

The buyout deal comes after the companies worked together on gaining approval to bid for key government contracts.

Zentek supplies educational technology solutions to primary and secondary schools, sixth form colleges, academies, free schools and city learning centres.

In 2010, the company forecast 30 per cent growth for 2011/12 and had a turnover of £5 million a year with 35 staff.

Zentek designs, supplies, installs and provides technical back-up systems which are installed in schools and colleges as well ongoing maintenance programmes.

It can also supply devices, servers and software, complete converged networks and interactive whiteboards to help online learning.

Zulf Ali, managing director of Zentek, now known as Tribune, said: “This is a meeting of minds as to how we can work together to deliver improved ICT services to support teaching and learning in our education client base.

“Both organisations have been successful for many years and possess extensive technical, systems integration and managed service skills derived from our existing business operations.

“We can now offer a genuine UK national coverage based from our offices in the City of London, Milton Keynes and Bolton.”

Sheldon Stoutt, chief executive and founder of Tribune 18 years ago, said: “I am delighted to announce this acquisition which has been borne out of a successful partnering arrangement between Tribune and Zentek to bid and win Department for Education ICT Services Framework contracts.

“The acquisition and amalgamation of the businesses will create a larger, robust and more capable organisation, whose prime focus is to address education sector ICT requirements.”