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<<Translation>> Le Droit
Walking into MultiCorpora’s offices in Gatineau, is like walking into the United Nations in New York. With its 14 nationalities and thirty employees who speak 18 languages combined, the Hull-situated company has a definite international flavor. Rightly so since MultiCorpora specializes in translation software used in over 60 languages in thirty countries. From its offices in the “Centre pour le développement des technologies de l'information (CDTI)”, on boulevard Saint-Joseph Hull, this company continues to extend its borders. Exceptional strength After attracting many customers in Canada and Europe, the company has began to penetrate the United States, investing $700,000 to focus on US market headquarters. The Asian market is not far behind for MultiCorpora as it has just signed a customer in Japan. "It exceeds expectations. But what is frustrating is that we do not yet cover the entire planet", says Pierre Blais, President and CEO of MultiCorpora. "In the field of translation, we could be in Asia or all over the place. But we must be disciplined and not be like the many companies who grow too fast, scatter and then lack resources to support the expansion. We could grow by 100%, but be completely disorganized." This cautious approach applies to MultiCorpora, which grew at its own pace. It has been profitable since 2005 and has grown at an average rate of 30%. MultiCorpora just had their best year yet. "We had an exceptional growth of 37% for our year end in February. Since that time, the growth has continued", said Pierre Blais proudly. As a private firm, MultiCorpora does not disclose its numbers, but we what we do know is that its revenues are in the "seven figures". Mr. Blais did not claim immunity to a little economic slowdown, but it is nothing dramatic. "We feel that it is slower than before – customer decisions are slower. The deals are not being lost but delayed, rather. But we see good signs and expect it to pick up in the fall." The company now has 34 employees, including four in its Brussels, Belgium Office. It is in recruitment mode and plans to grow to 40 employees this year through the addition of administrative staff. Tenth Anniversary MultiCorpora R & D Inc. blows out 10 candles this year, but its origins date back to 1994 when Gerry Gervais, an official at Statistics Canada, had the idea of what would become the MultiTrans software translation tool. The strength of this tool: to help companies better manage documents already translated by creating databases containing words and sentences that can be reused. "After all, why translate what has been already translated?" said Pierre Blais, who joined MultiCorpora in 2005. From the Feds to the European Union MultiCorpora took off because of its federal clients. Twenty-five federal agencies use its software, including the Translation Bureau of Canada, having its headquarters in Gatineau, and Canada’s Department of National Defense. It’s been three years since the company opened its European office where it has won contracts with multilateral agencies like UNESCO and the European Union. MultiCorpora then won a series of important deals with the private sector. Among its clients are the global consumer goods giant, Procter & Gamble, Kraft, Ford, HSBC bank, the Sobey's grocery chain and Pfizer. Its breakthrough strategy in the United States, sees MultiCorpora offering technology that helps large multinationals centralize their translation assets and save between 10% and 50% through the use of its software. According to Pierre Blais, the early signs are encouraging: "We created the interest." The Gatineau company is also forging relationships with U.S. partners to help it sell its software. Globally, the potential in the translation industry is enormous. This is a market with an annual revenue of $15 Billion including $1 Billion in Brussels alone, headquarters of the European Parliament. It is also a market that is growing an average of 7 to 10% per annum, said Pierre Blais. “Technology is making the world a smaller place and because of this, translation is becoming increasingly important." "I think that the current supply of translation does not meet demand. There are not enough translators and that is why we are succeeding. Our technology helps to bridge this gap. The support we give to translators is enormous." |