Sector: Automotive & Engineering
Scope: 290 pages | 72,601 words
Turnaround: 20 business days
The Challenge
Since 2013, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of engines and generators has relied on Skrivanek for the localization of their technical documentation. Their goal: to ensure that complex instructions and specifications are accurately translated and fully functional for end users in the Polish markets.
For this particular project, the client submitted a 290-page English technical manual containing a wide range of specialized terminology. The request included not only precise linguistic translation but also the graphic adaptation of tables, charts, and schematics, with non-editable elements to be transposed directly into visuals. Screenshots were to remain unchanged.
Our Approach
As we began working through the content, our linguists discovered that several parts of the original file were written in Swedish – an unexpected twist that required us to bring in a specialized Swedish translator without delaying the overall timeline.
To further ensure usability, our team adapted the alphabetical index at the end of the manual to conform to Polish conventions, and carefully recalibrated all cross-references throughout the document. As always with multilingual projects, the translated text differed in length from the original, which impacted layout and pagination.
Our DTP specialist stepped in to adjust formatting and ensure that the final version mirrored the structure of the source file. The result was a document that matched the original in both clarity and visual coherence – ready for immediate deployment in the target market.
The Outcome
This was not just a linguistic task, but a multi-stage production involving English and Swedish translators, a Polish proofreader, and an experienced desktop publishing expert. Within 20 business days, the team delivered a fully localized, print-ready version of the manual that met the highest industry standards.
What We Learned
In complex documentation projects, success lies in the synergy between people and processes. Our ability to react quickly, coordinate across specializations, and maintain full technical integrity allowed us to meet the client’s expectations – and reinforce our role as a long-term localization partner for high-stakes, highly technical content.
Client Feedback
“Since 2013, Skrivanek has been providing our company with professional technical and publishing translations between Polish and English. Projects are delivered on time, and we consider Skrivanek to be a trustworthy and highly competent business partner.”
