Among several new suppliers poised to release their parts catalogues on TecDoc's electronic CATALOG system is the BRT Group, a well-established supplier of original equipment (OE) quality bearings for the independent aftermarket.

"Although we already do some export business," said BRT's Charlotte Merrell, "we know it's an area we can develop and one which can make a significant contribution to the continued growth of the group. However, we are realistic enough to know that without having our products on TecDoc, we won't achieve anywhere near our true export potential.

"Across Europe TecDoc is the first port-of-call when it comes to parts identification. Distributors and installers wouldn't even consider looking elsewhere for OE quality products from reputable suppliers, which is why we decided to include our entire wheel bearing range on the system.

"For us the most sensible and cost-effective solution was to let TecDoc manage the whole operation, which gave us complete peace-of-mind and meant that we'd meet our deadline to appear on the system from the beginning of April.

"Everyone involved with the aftermarket is aware of TecDoc, but it is often only when considering the export market that many UK companies really look at the system in detail. However, having gone through the process to become a TecDoc data supplier, we believe we would have benefited much earlier from the advantages the system provides, not just in Europe, but in the UK too."

Shaun Greasley, TecDoc's commercial director for the UK and Ireland added: "We are obviously delighted to welcome BRT to the TecDoc data supply family and endorse their comments regarding the business benefits that can be achieved in their home market."