Need Help? Remote Support

Our Story

Building Success Together Since 1948

Guided by Purpose, Driven by Innovation

North Country is more than just a technology provider—we’re your dedicated partner in retail innovation. For over 75 years, we’ve been transforming how businesses operate, connect with customers, and thrive in competitive markets. From our humble beginnings in Bemidji, Minnesota, we’ve grown to become one of the nation’s largest retail solution providers, serving the grocery, convenience store, and hospitality industries with unwavering commitment.
What sets us apart isn’t just our comprehensive solutions—it’s our unique ownership structure. North Country is 100% employee-owned, creating a culture where every team member is personally invested in your success. When you partner with us, you’re working with owners who care deeply about delivering results that matter.

The Employee-Ownership Difference

When we say North Country is 100% employee-owned, we mean every associate has a personal stake in the company’s success. There’s no single owner—instead, we’re a community of owner-associates working together toward shared goals. The profits we generate stay within the company, allowing us to continually enhance our technology, improve our services, and strengthen our benefits.
Each year, our stock price is determined and shares are allocated to eligible associates. This creates a powerful incentive structure: the more value we create for our customers, the more value we create for ourselves. The result? A team that goes above and beyond to ensure your satisfaction and success.

Comprehensive Technology Solutions for Modern Business Challenges

North Country delivers end-to-end technology solutions addressing the complex needs of today’s marketplace. We don’t just provide products-we create integrated ecosystems that drive efficiency, enhance customer experience, and fuel business growth.

Our Core Offerings:
  • Best-in-Class Retail Products – Cutting-edge POS systems, self-checkout solutions, mobile technology, and more
  • Managed Services – Proactive monitoring, maintenance, and support to keep your operations running smoothly
  • Custom Development – Tailored solutions designed to address your unique business challenges
  • Solution Design & Implementation – Expert guidance from concept to execution
  • Ongoing Solution Support – Responsive assistance when you need it most
  • Business Follow-Up – Regular check-ins to ensure your technology continues to deliver value

Whether you’re looking to streamline checkout processes, optimize inventory management, enhance customer loyalty programs, or gain deeper business insights, North Country has the expertise, technology, and dedication to help you achieve your goals.

Partners in your success since 1948

The Power of Employee Ownership

As a 100% employee-owned company, we bring an unmatched level of dedication to every project. When you work with North Country, you’re partnering with people who have a personal stake in your success. This ownership mentality creates a culture of accountability, collaboration, and genuine care for customer outcomes.

Decades of Proven Expertise

With over 75 years in the industry, we’ve seen technology evolve from basic cash registers to sophisticated digital ecosystems. This longevity isn’t just about survival—it’s about consistently delivering value through changing times. Our deep knowledge of retail technology, combined with our understanding of industry-specific challenges, allows us to provide solutions that drive real results.

Beyond Point-of-Sale

While many providers focus solely on transaction processing, we understand that modern retail success requires a more comprehensive approach. Our solutions integrate seamlessly across your entire operation—from front-end customer interactions to back-office management—creating a cohesive ecosystem that drives efficiency and growth.

Local Support with National Capabilities

We combine the responsiveness and personal touch of a local provider with the resources and capabilities of a national organization. This means you get the best of both worlds: attentive, hands-on service backed by extensive expertise and resources.

Future-Ready Technology

Retail is evolving rapidly, and yesterday’s solutions won’t solve tomorrow’s challenges. We continuously evaluate emerging technologies and trends to ensure our offerings keep you ahead of the curve. Our solutions are designed to grow and adapt with your business, providing long-term value and competitive advantage.

Industry-Specific Expertise

We specialize in serving grocery, convenience store, and hospitality businesses—and this focus matters. We understand the unique challenges, opportunities, and regulatory considerations in these industries, allowing us to provide targeted solutions that address your specific needs.

From Small-Town Beginnings to Industry Leadership

Founded in 1948 in Bemidji, Minnesota, North Country began as a modest storefront offering basic office equipment and supplies. Through the decades, we’ve evolved alongside technology and our customers’ needs, transforming into a comprehensive retail solution provider.

Our growth hasn’t been about becoming bigger—it’s been about becoming better at serving our customers and addressing increasingly complex business challenges. Each step in our evolution has been guided by a simple principle: understand what our customers need to succeed, then deliver solutions that exceed those expectations.

Today, we stand as one of the nation’s largest retail solution providers, but we’ve never lost sight of the values that guided us from the beginning: integrity, innovation, and unwavering commitment to customer success.

Our Promise to Clients

North Country strives to be the most innovative supplier of high-quality automation and services, creating prosperity for both our clients and our organization. We commit to selling, installing, and supporting complete automation solutions of the highest quality by:

  • Actively listening and responding to our customers’ evolving needs
  • Providing only high-quality products and services that deliver real value
  • Setting standards that position our customers for future success
  • Offering support from fully trained, knowledgeable personnel

Jeff Zimmerman
Director of Grocery Sales

As NCBP’s Director of Sales, Jeff focuses on building relationships with our Grocery/Retail customers, partners, and associates. He holds a deep belief that personal connections are an integral part of everyone’s success in business.

Jeff began his career in wholesaler management and as a general manager of an independent grocery chain. His retail expertise helped him quickly achieve sales success and grow our business at NCBP, and he now leads the continued success of our entire sales organization.

Kirk Benson
Director of Hospitality Sales

With 20 years of food and beverage technology experience, Kirk helps our customers deliver excellent hospitality and dining experiences while optimizing their business operations and financial performance.

Kirk leads the NCBP Hospitality sales team and builds relationships with partners to bring new technology solutions to hospitality and hotel industry clients across the U.S. He is a devoted supporter of the local restaurant and craft beverage scene, and he actively participates in industry groups and events.

Monica Laurent
Director of People and Culture

Monica joined NCBP in 2020 with over twenty years of leadership experience and is deeply committed to the associate experience. She is refining the company’s talent strategy with an emphasis on engagement, inclusion, and leadership development. Monica has earned her SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications, is an active member of several HR associations, and volunteers for Twin Cities R!SE.

Matthew Swanson
Vice President of Operations

As a technology leader, Matt helps our associates, and our clients tackle their toughest business challenges. Matt has held several roles at NCBP and has focused on numerous process improvement, operational excellence, cybersecurity, and strategic technology initiatives.

Matt’s approach to leadership strives to balance a tenacious focus on results against making sure associates and their families are well-cared for. He is passionate about his family, and endeavors to build a team that allows his associates the space to achieve results while also achieving their desired work-life balance and personal objectives.

Before joining NCBP in 2008, Matt worked with MICROS Systems with their Leisure and Entertainment team. He holds multiple technical, project management, and process improvements certifications and advanced degrees focused on helping him build successful teams and drive results.

Over his career, Matt has worked with some of the largest operators in the industry and around the world, is passionate about helping them design and implement technology solutions that help achieve their goals, and has presented at multiple conferences and seminars on related topics. Matt also serves on the boards of directors of multiple industry and community organizations, and volunteers actively in the community.

Mark Olson
Board Member

Mark is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in technology and automation industries, most notably for his impactful leadership as President (1988-2014) and later President & CEO at APG Cash Drawer, LLC until his retirement. His multifaceted career demonstrates both technical expertise and strategic vision, leaving a lasting impact on the companies he has served and the industries he has influenced. Mark has brought his valuable insights to North Country as a board member since 2010.

Chelsey Paulson
Board Member

As a Culture Strategist & Business Growth Guide at Keystone Group International, Chelsey previously led North Country’s HR Team and has remained a dedicated Board member and ESOP Trustee. With experience chairing two boards and active participation on three, Chelsey brings her passion for creating lasting business impact through Strategic Foundation and Growth Strategy, Culture Evolution, Leadership Academies, and Executive Coaching. Her superpower of positive energy and commitment to continuous learning helps push North Country to break through growth ceilings and reach new heights.

Bruce Mann
Board Member

With over 45 years of management experience in the POS and Transaction Processing industries, Bruce brings exceptional expertise in operations, HR, product development, exporting, importing, multi-level distribution of hardware and software, marketing, business development, electronic payments, M&A, loyalty programs, integrated electronic payments, and integrated coupon programs. As one of the original Retail Solution Provider Association vendor BOD members, Bruce has been a frequent contributor to industry publications and presenter at industry events, in addition to serving on several NPO Boards.

Jim Freed
CEO and President

Driven by hands-on experience with technologies and his dedication to the people who use them, Jim cultivates a vision, organization, and work environment to enable our associates and customers to succeed and thrive.

Jim served in several key technology, service, support, and operational roles before becoming CEO and President of NCBP. He is a member of multiple partner advisory boards and enjoys fostering relationships, sharing best practices, and staying on top of industry trends.

Jandi Ketelsen
Sr. Director, Financial Services and Administration

During her more than 25 years at North Country, Jandi has worked across every facet of the organization’s accounting and financial systems, advancing to her current role as Vice President of Finance & Administration. 
 
An employee owner, she drives process improvement, strategic planning, strong partnerships, and associate development. Jandi’s business acumen includes leading cash flow, budgeting, inventory management, business operations, and North Country’s ESOPs. She is most proud of the team she has built and is especially passionate about the ESOP—where everyone has a stake in the outcome—and the culture it creates.