China gets in gear

摘要

Chinese car companies are enthusiastic customers for software that takes much of the trial and error out of the design of transmissions. UK firms in various industries could benefit too. A short stroll from Nottingham railway station takes you to an elegant street that is home to a successful high-tech firm. SMT may be diminutive in size but certainly not in stature. It has made a big impact in the Far East in recent years, cutting deals with some of China's most powerful carmakers including Shanghai Automotive. And now it has an eye on European markets. The excitement in Far Eastern markets has been generated by SMT's range of software tools, which enable the smooth design of transmissions, from concept right through to manufacturing. Called Masta, the software allows engineers to model complex gearboxes rapidly and accurately, significantly reducing design and development times. It is enabling Chinese automotive firms to play catch up with foreign rivals, giving them expertise in areas where they used to rely on outside help.