Earlier this month, Emulate3D invited Trade Policy Minister George Hollingbery to open its new facility at Reading Enterprise Centre — part of a planned expansion following the company’s acquisition by Rockwell Automation earlier this year.

This gives the company extra development, support and demonstration capacity — and a platform to accelerate its expansion into new markets.

Building on Rockwell Automation’s close ties to software specialist PTC Inc, the Reading Enterprise Centre will be home to ‘Emulate3D CAD is the Model’ technology, which takes the company’s off-line emulation technology directly to machine builders.

Emulate3D’s business development manager, Ian McGregor, said: “We have always been an outward-facing company, intent on taking our industrial automation simulation and emulation software technologies out beyond the UK.

“The Department for International Trade has helped us to open new markets and reduce the risks associated with exporting.”

Mr Hollingbery said: “Emulate3D is a shining example of UK excellence in the tech sector.

Its success demonstrates the potential benefits to UK businesses of exporting and taking advantage of fast-growing overseas markets.

It was a privilege to officially open the new facilities in Reading, supporting the continued expansion of the business under Rockwell Automation.

Emulate3D showcases the very best of UK innovation and capability in this rapidly evolving industry.”

Emulate3D (www.demo3d.com) was founded in 2005 and grew to a team of 20 before being acquired by Rockwell Automation in January of this year.

It has developed software that assists the creation accurate simulation models to improve systems planning and decision-making in a virtual environment.

The company won a Queen’s Award in 2014, and it has been successful in exporting its technology to the Americas and around Europe.