VIRTUAL reality company Virtalis is making inroads across the Atlantic after spotting opportunities in the American market.

The Sale-based firm has recruited a technical team, based in Houston, to drive the operation. The new American business, called Virtalis Inc, is led by Guy LaBelle, who has a background as a 3D projection system specialist.

He said: "Surprisingly, the US lacks a 3D visualisation company that does both hardware and software.

"As more and more sectors, including defence, research and development, oil and gas and engineering, use 3D visualisation as a routine tool, Virtalis Inc should find itself extraordinarily well-placed."

Virtalis UK managing director David Cockburn-Price said: "We have never been so busy.

"With an increasing number of installations in the US, it makes sense for us to have a team permanently based there, both to service our existing customers and to bring our unique technology to new ones."