Moving Up in a Shrinking Field: espell’s Slator 2025 LSPI Ranking
Today, that demand has only grown — but the language industry has changed dramatically. Translation is now embedded into global business processes, content management systems, and AI-driven workflows. The industry is evolving rapidly, and with it, the number of traditional translation agencies is shrinking, caught in the tides of technological disruption, consolidation, and market shifts.
Against this backdrop, we recently received espell’s global ranking in the 2025 Slator Language Service Provider Index (LSPI). Based on 2024 revenue data, we’ve moved up from #187 in 2023 to #137 in 2024, which, on the surface, fairly reflects our efforts. But the reality is more nuanced.
With a 10% annual growth rate, our steady progress is clear
— but so is the fact that some of our competitors have moved down or disappeared from the rankings altogether. Whether due to declining revenues, acquisitions by larger firms, or other forms of industry consolidation, the landscape is shifting. And as the big players absorb smaller ones and tech-driven solutions redefine the market, it’s worth asking: what does ranking higher really mean when the field itself is shrinking?
Yet amid these changes, one thing remains constant: the value of being a boutique agency. Slator has categorized espell as a “Boutique” provider, and we wear that badge with pride.
For years, synthetic voices sounded hollow and robotic, a far cry from anything a serious creator would use for high-stakes content.
But times have changed.
The Boutique Advantage: Why It Matters
Being a boutique agency is more than just a label—it’s a commitment to highly personalized, expert-driven service in an industry that’s becoming increasingly commoditized. At espell, we apply a full-service approach that involves:
- Tailored, hands-on service with dedicated account and project managers
- A full spectrum of language solutions, from specialist translation and web localization to copywriting and multilingual content creation, including multimedia
- Custom workflows, solutions engineering, and seamless integration with a variety of content and technology platforms
- Expertise across 250+ language combinations
- Long-term partnerships built on trust, quality, and innovation
So while the industry continues to evolve, one thing is clear: size isn’t everything. In a world where efficiency and automation reign, the human touch and specialized expertise of a boutique provider like espell can make all the difference.