September 19, 2024 / by Margarita Núñez Estimated read time: 6 minutes
On September 13, 2024, SimulTrans proudly celebrated its 40th anniversary in Palo Alto, California, marking four decades of innovation, growth, and exceptional customer service alongside employees, clients, and friends.
The Beginning
Mark Homnack, founder and CEO of SimulTrans, embarked on a remarkable journey towards global leadership in language services during his time as a student at Stanford University in 1984. Even then, long before the concept of a connected global economy took hold, Mark foresaw the crucial role that translation services would play in bridging the gap between Silicon Valley's innovative tech companies and their diverse international clientele.
As SimulTrans celebrates its 40th anniversary, our commitment to quality, innovation, and customer service still defines SimulTrans' identity, driving the company forward.
Unlike the majority of firms in our sector, SimulTrans is not in the commodity business of simply translating words. Instead, we focus on building long-term strategic relationships with clients.
Mark Homnack , Founder and CEO
In this video, Adam Jones, President of SimulTrans, reflects on the company’s early days, recalling the era when translation projects arrived via telefax and he had to count words to determine pricing.
First Outsourcing Partner for Microsoft
In 1993 Microsoft chose SimulTrans as its first outsourcing partner for a large-scale localization program, in many ways starting the software localization industry. We hired hundreds of employees to handle this avalanche of work.
Global Expansion
Over the years, SimulTrans expanded its footprint by opening offices in strategic locations worldwide such as:
- 1989: Japan
- 1996: Ireland
- 2000: Boston, USA
- 2019: Germany
- 2021: New York, USA
- 2023: Spain
This global presence has enabled SimulTrans to support clients in their time zones and grow its customer base worldwide.
Watch this video to learn how we came about opening the Dublin Office in 1996, which was a significant milestone and was linked to Netscape Navigator Localization.
Commitment to Quality
SimulTrans has always emphasized maintaining high-quality standards, earning and maintaining several ISO certifications since 2010, including:
- ISO 9001 for Quality Management
- ISO 17100 for Translation Services
- ISO 18587 for human post-editing of machine translation
These certifications underscore the company’s dedication to delivering consistently excellent service and quality translations.
Innovation at the Core
SimulTrans leverages cutting-edge technology wherever it helps us provide better service for our clients. We use sophisticated translation tools to accelerate timelines, improve quality, reduce project costs, and enhance project management.
From simultaneous shipment of localized software applications to streamlining localization through connectors or plugins, and embracing cutting-edge AI-machine translation or AI synthetic voiceover services, SimulTrans has consistently adapted to lead the way in our industry to meet customer requirements.
Customer Centric Approach
Customer satisfaction guides everything we do. Our project managers go the extra mile to ensure that our clients not only like our translations but enjoy working with our team.
Delivering quality client service, well-translated projects, and technical expertise is what makes SimulTrans different from other companies.
Li-Jiuan Jang, Regional Vice President (Boston)
Environmental, Social, and Governance Practices
As our clients' ESG requirements continue to grow, we, as a company, are mindful of our impact on both the community and the environment. We strive to infuse ESG principles into every facet of our operations. Our dedication to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices showcases our commitment to responsible business conduct.
Corporate Social Responsibility
At SimulTrans, we strive to operate in a manner that not only benefits our company but also enhances society and the environment. We are aware of the impact we have on all facets of our community, including economic, social, and environmental factors. We believe in conducting business in a way that positively contributes to the world around us.
By prioritizing sustainability, ethical practices, and community engagement, we aim to make a meaningful difference and leave a lasting impact beyond just our business operations.
Margarita Núñez, Vice President Marketing and Business Development
As SimulTrans looks to the future, we remain committed to driving innovation while maintaining the quality and reliability that have become synonymous with their brand.
SimulTrans' commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction has been a driving force behind the company's growth and success, solidifying its reputation as a reliable partner for businesses seeking to connect with audiences worldwide.
To explore the full history and milestones of SimulTrans, visit our timeline.
