MindQuest Inc., and European information provider TecDoc Information System GmbH have entered a joint venture to launch a new company, OptiCat, which will provide an Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC) database and related e-commerce technologies.

OptiCat will focus on building strong alliances between parts manufacturers, distributors, automotive service providers and technology firms with a primary goal of creating and maintaining the most current, accurate and robust EPC end-user database for the U.S. aftermarket, according to a news release.

The system will employ a unique architecture expressly designed to make optimum use of Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) product and application data standards.  OptiCat will combine the technology strengths of MindQuest and TecDoc to produce a unique and powerful industry-supported database.

Brad Duncan, industry EPC veteran and current CEO of MindQuest, will lead this new entity as chairman and acting president. Uli Zehnpfenning, CEO of TecDoc, will serve on OptiCat’s board and Andreas Assmann, technical director of TecDoc, will oversee the production of the OptiCat database.

According to Duncan, other industry leaders from different segments of the aftermarket will participate in the management of the company.

“Although TecDoc is not well-known in the United States, its accomplishments in Europe, China and other countries are impressive, with over 800,000 users of its database, making it the largest EPC provider in the world,” states Duncan. “TecDoc’s shareholders and data providers consist of some of the most powerful and influential manufacturers around the globe. It is OptiCat’s intent to not only leverage TecDoc’s relationships (e.g. shareholders and data providers), but also to use the vast technical experience and resources that the TecDoc model has created in Europe, for the benefit of the automotive aftermarket here.”

Current shareholders of TecDoc are: Beru, Bosal, Bosch, Continental Teves, Contitech, Delphi, Eberspächer, ElringKlinger, Ernst, Federal-Mogul, GKN, GVA (German WD Association), Hella, HJS, Honeywell, Magneti Marelli, Mahle, Mann & Hummel, MSI Motor Service, Reinz, Schaeffler-Group (LuK), Siemens VDO, Tenneco, Bilstein Suspension, TMD Friction, TRW, Valeo, Varta, Wabco and ZF (Sachs).

In addition, TecDoc receives direct data feeds from more than 360 manufacturer partners, many of whom have U.S. based relationships.

Rusty Bishop, Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) chairman and CEO of Federated Auto Parts Distributors says he is excited about the potential for a low cost process that delivers the most complete and up-to-date information possible for aftermarket users.

“The Federated team has supported this vision for several years," he says. "As parts distributors, we strongly believe that AAIA standards product information delivered directly from the source, that is, the manufacturer, is the right model for the industry. It’s the right thing to do for the automotive aftermarket, and I encourage all industry segments to support this vital initiative.”

According to the company, announcements regarding OptiCat database availability will be made in the coming weeks. For more information, visit www.tecdoc.com.