Industrial & Manufacturing Translation

Technical translation for global
manufacturing

LocaTran provides translation and localization services for technical manuals, safety documentation, industrial software, training materials, patent content, and supply-chain documentation. We combine specialist linguists, controlled terminology, file-aware workflows, and risk-based review to help maintain accuracy and consistency across languages and markets.

Language support for global manufacturing operations

Translation errors in technical and manufacturing content can contribute to rework, operational delays, audit findings, shipment disruption, and safety risks. Accuracy matters from the first release.

Since 2004, LocaTran has supported manufacturers in automotive, machinery, electronics, chemicals, energy, and aerospace with terminology-controlled translation, independent review where required, automated quality checks, and production workflows adapted to technical documentation, software, training, safety content, and multilingual product releases.

We translate manufacturing content with close attention to the product, process, terminology, and standards behind it.

Projects are staffed according to the relevant product domain, document type, language pair, and target market. Engineering or subject-matter review can be added where specialist validation is required — from a single datasheet to an ongoing program across a global product portfolio.

Content for the shop floor,
engineering teams, and global operations

We support six core content areas, each matched with the appropriate linguists, terminology resources, and level of review. We work with the agreed source formats and return files in accordance with the agreed delivery specifications.
01
Technical Documentation
Operator, installation, service, and maintenance manuals; engineering specifications and work instructions; parts catalogs and service bulletins; knowledge bases and troubleshooting content. Terminology is managed consistently across product families and revisions.
FrameMaker InDesign DITA MadCap Flare XML
02
Safety & Compliance Content
Safety Data Sheets (SDS), including legacy MSDS content; hazard communication and workplace safety materials; audit, inspection, and quality documentation; and conformity assessment and market-access documentation translated in line with client-specified requirements.
GHS REACH RoHS OSHA HCS DOCX XML
03
Industrial Software & HMI
HMI and SCADA interfaces; embedded-system messages and firmware resource strings; field-service applications; and software help, diagnostics, and release documentation — with string handling, length constraints, and localized-build checks.
XLIFF JSON RESX PO .properties
04
Training & Workforce Content
Operator and technician training; safety induction and onboarding; dealer and distributor training; and eLearning, video, and voice-over content localized through one coordinated workflow — scripts, on-screen text, subtitles, and audio together.
Articulate Storyline Rise 360 SCORM Video
05
Patent & IP Content
Patent applications and office actions; invention disclosures and prior-art materials; technical evidence and litigation-support documents. Certified translation, sworn translation, or notarization can be arranged where required and available in the relevant jurisdiction.
Certified Translation Sworn Translation Notarization Bilingual Review
06
Commercial & Supply-Chain Content
RFQs, RFPs, tenders, and technical proposals; supplier documentation and procurement content; distributor and OEM agreements; and product catalogs and technical marketing materials adapted to the intended tone and target market.
Word Excel InDesign Web CMS

Industry expertise across manufacturing sectors

We organize linguists, terminology, and reviewers by manufacturing sector so that each project can be matched with professionals who have relevant product and industry experience.
Automotive & Mobility
OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, EV manufacturers, autonomous driving developers, and aftermarket companies. Service manuals, IATF 16949 audit documentation, homologation documentation, software, and dealer training.
Heavy Machinery & Equipment
Construction, mining, agricultural, and material-handling equipment. Operator manuals, parts books, dealer portals, service bulletins, and technical training.
Aerospace & Aviation
S1000D-compliant documentation, MRO procedures, training, and supplier-quality content for civil aerospace, business aviation, and commercial airline operations, with certified translation where required.
Electronics & Semiconductors
Datasheets, application notes, fab procedures, EDA tool localization, consumer-electronics UI/UX, and translation support for regulatory submission materials.
Chemicals & Materials
SDS/GHS content, formulations, REACH dossiers, plant SOPs, process-safety documentation, and B2B technical marketing for specialty and performance chemicals.
Energy & Power
Plant documentation, EPC tenders, HSE training, and regulatory documentation for cross-border projects in wind, solar, battery, oil and gas, and grid infrastructure.
Industrial Automation & Robotics
PLC and HMI software, robotics SDKs, system-integrator documentation, factory-floor signage, and digital-twin platform content for connected operations.
Construction & Building Products
Specifications, installation guides, environmental product declarations (EPDs), green-building documentation, and contractor training prepared for use under client-specified regional standards.

A workflow built for technical content

A five-stage workflow with clear responsibilities at each step. For projects that require it, we apply translation with independent revision in accordance with ISO 17100; Alternative review models are configured according to the content type, intended use, and risk level.
01
Scope & File Analysis

We review the source files, target languages, formats, reference materials, deadlines, and intended use. A project manager confirms the proposed scope, assumptions, schedule, and pricing basis.

File Analysis TM Leverage Schedule Quote
02
Terminology Preparation

Existing glossaries and reference content are reviewed, and priority terminology can be extracted for client validation before production begins — so key terms are agreed up front.

Term Extraction Termbase Client Review
03
Specialist Team Selection

Translators and reviewers are selected according to the subject area, content type, target locale, and agreed qualification requirements. For ongoing programs, core team members are assigned consistently where possible to support continuity.

Subject-Matter Linguists In-Country Reviewers Dedicated Team
04
Translation & Review

Work is completed in a controlled translation environment using approved translation memories and termbases. For projects requiring an ISO 17100 workflow, translation is independently revised by a second qualified linguist.

Trados memoQ Phrase ISO 17100 Revision
05
Technical QA & Delivery

Automated and manual checks cover numbers, units, terminology, tags, formatting, and file integrity. DTP, CAD text handling, localized-build verification, or in-country review can be added where required. Client-specific translation memories, termbases, and project assets can be returned or transferred as agreed.

Automated QA DTP Asset Handover

Technology selected for technical content

Because industrial content is often repetitive, structured, and high-risk, translation memory, terminology control, and selective machine translation can improve consistency and processing efficiency. Technology is matched to the content, not applied uniformly.
Translation Memory
More value from approved content.
Client-specific translation memories improve consistency and let approved content be reused across product lines and revisions, with savings reflected in your quote.
Terminology Management
Consistent, controlled terms.
Approved terminology is maintained in dedicated termbases and applied consistently across projects and locales, with contextual exceptions documented and reviewed.
Machine Translation
Machine translation, used selectively.
Machine translation is used only in approved workflows and for content suitable for the agreed review model. Quality estimation can help prioritize human review; it does not replace agreed release controls.
Confidential Content
Security controls defined at scoping.
Confidential client content is not submitted to public generative-AI tools unless you have expressly approved the workflow. Access controls, approved transfer methods, and retention requirements are defined during scoping.
Tools & Stack
Trados memoQ Phrase XTM FrameMaker MadCap Flare InDesign Passolo Xbench Verifika DITA / XML S1000D-compliant XML Git / API

Certified processes and accountable delivery

Industrial procurement teams often require documented and auditable language-service processes. LocaTran’s quality management system is certified to ISO 9001:2015, and its applicable translation-service processes are certified to ISO 17100:2015.

Workflows are configured according to the intended use, content type, risk level, and client requirements. Supporting documentation can be provided for supplier qualification and client audits, subject to confidentiality and contractual terms.

Project-specific information-security measures, including access controls, approved transfer channels, and agreed data-handling procedures, are confirmed during project scoping.

ISO 9001:2015
Quality Management
Auditable, customer-focused processes across the full project lifecycle.
ISO 17100:2015
Translation Services
Qualified linguists, independent revision, and a defined workflow for projects that require it.
CSA Research 2025
Asia-Pacific Top 30
Ranked among the Top 30 Asia-Pacific language service providers in CSA Research’s 2025 ranking.
Slator 2026
Top 200 Global LSP
Included in the 2026 Slator Index in the Boutique tier.

One partner for multilingual manufacturing content

We support more than 150 languages and dialects through a global network of linguists selected according to target locale, subject matter, and project requirements. Our deepest in-region expertise is in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and major Southeast Asian languages.
150+
Languages supported through native-speaking linguists, selected by locale and subject area.
Selected languages
East Asia
Core East Asian expertise.
Simplified Chinese Traditional Chinese (TW) Traditional Chinese (HK) Japanese Korean Mongolian
Southeast & South Asia
Southeast and South Asian markets.
Vietnamese Thai Indonesian Malay Filipino Burmese Khmer Lao Hindi Bengali Tamil Urdu
Western Europe
Major Western European languages.
German French Spanish Italian Portuguese (Portugal) Dutch Swedish Norwegian Danish Finnish
Central &Amp; Eastern Europe
Central and Eastern European markets.
Polish Czech Slovak Hungarian Romanian Bulgarian Croatian Serbian Slovenian Greek Russian Ukrainian Turkish
Americas
Major languages of the Americas.
Portuguese (Brazil) Spanish (Latin America) Spanish (Mexico) French (Canada) English (US)
Middle East &Amp; Africa
Middle East and Africa.
Arabic Hebrew Persian (Farsi) Swahili Afrikaans Zulu

How a coordinated localization program comes together

A multinational equipment manufacturer might consolidate several translation suppliers into a single coordinated program: shared translation memories, a validated termbase per product line, centralized project management, and multilingual dealer-support workflows — so terminology stays consistent and releases stay on schedule across markets.

The aim is fewer hand-offs, a single source of terminology truth, and a stable team that builds product knowledge over time, rather than re-learning the product on every release.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE

A composite of how coordinated manufacturing programs are typically structured — not a specific client account.

  • Shared translation memory and a per-product-line termbase
  • Independent ISO 17100 revision where the project requires it
  • A named project manager coordinating across markets
  • Localized dealer-support, after-sales, and training content

Built around manufacturing requirements

Our manufacturing translation approach is built around technical content, controlled terminology, file-aware workflows, and review levels matched to each project.
01. Asia-Pacific Expertise
Regional expertise across Asia-Pacific.
Our deepest expertise covers Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and major Southeast Asian languages, managed in-region and supported by coordinated delivery across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa. This can complement your existing global vendor network.
02. Technical Team Selection
Linguists selected by subject area.
Translators and reviewers are selected by product domain, document type, target market, and project requirements. Subject-matter or engineering reviewers are added for technically sensitive content.
03. Program Continuity
Continuity for long-term programs.
For ongoing programs we prioritize a stable core team, documented onboarding, approved terminology, and backup resources, so product knowledge builds over time across releases.
04. Transparent Commercial Terms
Transparent, itemized quotes.
Quotes identify the agreed scope, pricing basis, translation-memory savings, optional services, assumptions, and the change-control process.

Questions manufacturers ask first

The topics that come up in most scoping conversations — terminology, security, formats, certification, timelines, and machine translation. If yours isn't here, we normally provide an initial response within one business day. The timing of the formal scope and quotation depends on the number of languages, file formats, content volume, and technical requirements.
How do you keep terminology consistent across large volumes and many languages?
We build a validated, client-specific termbase for each account and apply it across linguists, projects, and locales using CAT tools and automated QA. Approved terms — part numbers, tolerances, hazard phrasing — are applied consistently, with contextual exceptions documented and reviewed. Consistency improves over time as your translation memory grows.
Will my drawings, specifications, and patents stay confidential?
We apply project-specific confidentiality and information-security controls, including restricted access, approved file-transfer channels, confidentiality agreements, and agreed data-handling and retention requirements. Confidential client content is not submitted to public generative-AI tools unless you have expressly approved the workflow. Working inside your own environment can be arranged where required.
Can you handle our source formats — FrameMaker, DITA, S1000D, CAD, and HMI strings?
Yes. We work with FrameMaker, InDesign, DITA/XML, S1000D-compliant XML, MadCap, XLIFF, JSON, RESX, and text extracted from CAD drawings, and return files prepared to specification. This includes multilingual desktop publishing and localized-build verification where required.
Can you support patent filing and certification requirements?
We support patent and IP translation for filing, examination, litigation, and internal review. Certification, sworn translation, and notarization are arranged where required and available in the relevant jurisdiction. Acceptance remains subject to the rules and discretion of the relevant authority.
How quickly can you start, and how is pricing structured?
Share representative files, your target languages, and a deadline. We typically respond within one business day with a recommended scope, a quote, and a named project manager. Pricing can be per word, per hour, or program-based, with translation-memory savings reflected in the quote.
Do you use machine translation, and how do you manage translation quality?
Machine translation is used only in approved workflows and for content suitable for the agreed review model. Quality estimation may help prioritize human review, but it does not replace the agreed quality controls. For human-translation projects scoped to follow ISO 17100, the translation is independently revised by a second qualified linguist. Machine translation post-editing follows a separately agreed workflow and quality standard.