SEMA News - May 2010 

What Makes Check Corporation and Pro Pledge Successful Partners?

SEMA News recently had the chance to catch up with long-time manufacturer and ProPledge participant Check Corporation. We spoke with Brian Champa, the company’s national sales manager, to learn a little more about its products and about ProPledge program benefits the business has realized over the years.

For a detailed analysis of what ProPledge is and its benefits to most SEMA-member companies, please visit the newly revised ProPledge website or call 818/248-4449 for more information.

SEMA News: How has ProPledge benefitted Check Corporation?

Brian Champa: ProPledge sets us apart from the competition. Being a manufacturer that prides itself on providing high-quality parts, our association with ProPledge was a perfect fit.

SN: In what ways?

BC: Being a member of ProPledge reinforces our commitment that we stand behind our products and those who install them. ProPledge has allowed our installers to more effectively sell to new-car auto dealers that may have had concerns in the past about using aftermarket parts and the ability of the installer/manufacturer to warranty those parts nationwide.

SN: Where can ProPledge be of even greater benefit to not only Check Corporation, but also all manufacturers and restylers/installers?

BC: I believe ProPledge can be of even greater benefit to the hundreds if not thousands of installers nationwide who call on dealers every day to get their accessory business. They now have a program they can put in their toolbox that will allow them to address dealer concerns regarding nationwide three-year/36,000-mile warranty assistance, which is one of the most common objections that installers have had to deal with in the past at the new-car dealership level.

	Check Corporation has expanded well beyond its traditional automotive accessory market into such areas as health care, aviation, agriculture and construction equipment.

SN: How long has Check Corporation been in business?

BC: Check Corporation has been in business for more than 17 years. It was formed to help service the growing automotive aftermarket business here in Detroit and the van conversion industry in Elkhart, Indiana. We are located in Troy, Michigan, where all product sales, design, engineering and manufacturing are done in our 45,000-sq.-ft. headquarters. This allows us easier access to new vehicles so that we can develop and bring to market product quicker than our competition might.

SN: Can you cite some of the key trends that Check Corporation has helped to develop over the past 17 years?

BC: Check Corporation was the first company to develop aftermarket seat heater kits for the restyling industry, period. We are the only seat heater company that has designed seat-specific kits for all makes and models of vehicles over the past 17 years. We have also developed patented seat heating technology for pour-in-place (molded) seats for the agriculture and construction industries.

SN: Where will future growth and development come from at Check Corporation?

BC: Check Corporation has expanded well beyond our traditional automotive accessory market into such areas as health care, aviation, agriculture and construction equipment. We’ve also expanded into automotive OEM accessory programs, OEM motorcycles, the marine industry and the food service industry. We are also the only FAA-approved seat heater in the United States.

SN: What are the biggest challenges Check Corporation foresees in the future?

BC: Foreign or offshore competition whose products are often inferior and are not subject to the same rigorous research and development testing we conduct on each and every one of our products.

SN: What are some of the biggest success stories within Check Corporation’s business model?

BC: We were the first and only company to provide Chrysler (Mopar) with an accessory seat heater and are in our fourth year of the program. In 2009, we secured an accessory seat heater program with GM Accessories for the Chevrolet Equinox and the GMC Terrain, and we were also the first to offer second-row seat-heating systems for GM trucks.  

 

 

 

SEMA News - May 2010 

What Makes Check Corporation and Pro Pledge Successful Partners?

SEMA News recently had the chance to catch up with long-time manufacturer and ProPledge participant Check Corporation. We spoke with Brian Champa, the company’s national sales manager, to learn a little more about its products and about ProPledge program benefits the business has realized over the years.

For a detailed analysis of what ProPledge is and its benefits to most SEMA-member companies, please visit the newly revised ProPledge website or call 818/248-4449 for more information.

SEMA News: How has ProPledge benefitted Check Corporation?

Brian Champa: ProPledge sets us apart from the competition. Being a manufacturer that prides itself on providing high-quality parts, our association with ProPledge was a perfect fit.

SN: In what ways?

BC: Being a member of ProPledge reinforces our commitment that we stand behind our products and those who install them. ProPledge has allowed our installers to more effectively sell to new-car auto dealers that may have had concerns in the past about using aftermarket parts and the ability of the installer/manufacturer to warranty those parts nationwide.

SN: Where can ProPledge be of even greater benefit to not only Check Corporation, but also all manufacturers and restylers/installers?

BC: I believe ProPledge can be of even greater benefit to the hundreds if not thousands of installers nationwide who call on dealers every day to get their accessory business. They now have a program they can put in their toolbox that will allow them to address dealer concerns regarding nationwide three-year/36,000-mile warranty assistance, which is one of the most common objections that installers have had to deal with in the past at the new-car dealership level.

	Check Corporation has expanded well beyond its traditional automotive accessory market into such areas as health care, aviation, agriculture and construction equipment.

SN: How long has Check Corporation been in business?

BC: Check Corporation has been in business for more than 17 years. It was formed to help service the growing automotive aftermarket business here in Detroit and the van conversion industry in Elkhart, Indiana. We are located in Troy, Michigan, where all product sales, design, engineering and manufacturing are done in our 45,000-sq.-ft. headquarters. This allows us easier access to new vehicles so that we can develop and bring to market product quicker than our competition might.

SN: Can you cite some of the key trends that Check Corporation has helped to develop over the past 17 years?

BC: Check Corporation was the first company to develop aftermarket seat heater kits for the restyling industry, period. We are the only seat heater company that has designed seat-specific kits for all makes and models of vehicles over the past 17 years. We have also developed patented seat heating technology for pour-in-place (molded) seats for the agriculture and construction industries.

SN: Where will future growth and development come from at Check Corporation?

BC: Check Corporation has expanded well beyond our traditional automotive accessory market into such areas as health care, aviation, agriculture and construction equipment. We’ve also expanded into automotive OEM accessory programs, OEM motorcycles, the marine industry and the food service industry. We are also the only FAA-approved seat heater in the United States.

SN: What are the biggest challenges Check Corporation foresees in the future?

BC: Foreign or offshore competition whose products are often inferior and are not subject to the same rigorous research and development testing we conduct on each and every one of our products.

SN: What are some of the biggest success stories within Check Corporation’s business model?

BC: We were the first and only company to provide Chrysler (Mopar) with an accessory seat heater and are in our fourth year of the program. In 2009, we secured an accessory seat heater program with GM Accessories for the Chevrolet Equinox and the GMC Terrain, and we were also the first to offer second-row seat-heating systems for GM trucks.  

 

 

 

SEMA News - May 2010 

What Makes Check Corporation and Pro Pledge Successful Partners?

SEMA News recently had the chance to catch up with long-time manufacturer and ProPledge participant Check Corporation. We spoke with Brian Champa, the company’s national sales manager, to learn a little more about its products and about ProPledge program benefits the business has realized over the years.

For a detailed analysis of what ProPledge is and its benefits to most SEMA-member companies, please visit the newly revised ProPledge website or call 818/248-4449 for more information.

SEMA News: How has ProPledge benefitted Check Corporation?

Brian Champa: ProPledge sets us apart from the competition. Being a manufacturer that prides itself on providing high-quality parts, our association with ProPledge was a perfect fit.

SN: In what ways?

BC: Being a member of ProPledge reinforces our commitment that we stand behind our products and those who install them. ProPledge has allowed our installers to more effectively sell to new-car auto dealers that may have had concerns in the past about using aftermarket parts and the ability of the installer/manufacturer to warranty those parts nationwide.

SN: Where can ProPledge be of even greater benefit to not only Check Corporation, but also all manufacturers and restylers/installers?

BC: I believe ProPledge can be of even greater benefit to the hundreds if not thousands of installers nationwide who call on dealers every day to get their accessory business. They now have a program they can put in their toolbox that will allow them to address dealer concerns regarding nationwide three-year/36,000-mile warranty assistance, which is one of the most common objections that installers have had to deal with in the past at the new-car dealership level.

	Check Corporation has expanded well beyond its traditional automotive accessory market into such areas as health care, aviation, agriculture and construction equipment.

SN: How long has Check Corporation been in business?

BC: Check Corporation has been in business for more than 17 years. It was formed to help service the growing automotive aftermarket business here in Detroit and the van conversion industry in Elkhart, Indiana. We are located in Troy, Michigan, where all product sales, design, engineering and manufacturing are done in our 45,000-sq.-ft. headquarters. This allows us easier access to new vehicles so that we can develop and bring to market product quicker than our competition might.

SN: Can you cite some of the key trends that Check Corporation has helped to develop over the past 17 years?

BC: Check Corporation was the first company to develop aftermarket seat heater kits for the restyling industry, period. We are the only seat heater company that has designed seat-specific kits for all makes and models of vehicles over the past 17 years. We have also developed patented seat heating technology for pour-in-place (molded) seats for the agriculture and construction industries.

SN: Where will future growth and development come from at Check Corporation?

BC: Check Corporation has expanded well beyond our traditional automotive accessory market into such areas as health care, aviation, agriculture and construction equipment. We’ve also expanded into automotive OEM accessory programs, OEM motorcycles, the marine industry and the food service industry. We are also the only FAA-approved seat heater in the United States.

SN: What are the biggest challenges Check Corporation foresees in the future?

BC: Foreign or offshore competition whose products are often inferior and are not subject to the same rigorous research and development testing we conduct on each and every one of our products.

SN: What are some of the biggest success stories within Check Corporation’s business model?

BC: We were the first and only company to provide Chrysler (Mopar) with an accessory seat heater and are in our fourth year of the program. In 2009, we secured an accessory seat heater program with GM Accessories for the Chevrolet Equinox and the GMC Terrain, and we were also the first to offer second-row seat-heating systems for GM trucks.  

 

 

 

SEMA News - May 2010

Support California Lawmakers Who Support You!  

As a SEMA member, your membership renewal statement includes a request for support for SEMA’s California Political Action Committee (PAC). Whether you represent a homegrown California company, do business in the state or just want to provide for the industry’s continued success, we hope that you will consider making a contribution to this important effort.

Working with the California Legislature in recent years, SEMA has sought legislation to force California’s regulators to save vintage cars and parts from car-crusher scrappage programs; attempted to stop under-the-hood visual inspections for cars that have passed tailpipe tests; supported efforts to create favorable emissions system certification criteria for kit cars and replicas; and attempted to beat back legislation to repeal the state’s 30-year rolling emissions inspection exemption. SEMA also helped create a statewide exhaust-noise testing program that allows vehicle owners to prove compliance with the state’s 95-decibel limit.

“These critical accomplishments would not be possible without the hard work and perseverance of the California legislators who have taken up our banner time and time again and who need our support to ensure the industry’s continued viability,” said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. “Their efforts have kept open markets for automotive specialty equipment and have enabled the creation of new markets to meet the demands of technological innovations.”

So the next time you open your member renewal letter, please consider making a contribution to this critical tool in our efforts to protect and grow the specialty automotive industry.

 

SEMA News - May 2010

Support California Lawmakers Who Support You!  

As a SEMA member, your membership renewal statement includes a request for support for SEMA’s California Political Action Committee (PAC). Whether you represent a homegrown California company, do business in the state or just want to provide for the industry’s continued success, we hope that you will consider making a contribution to this important effort.

Working with the California Legislature in recent years, SEMA has sought legislation to force California’s regulators to save vintage cars and parts from car-crusher scrappage programs; attempted to stop under-the-hood visual inspections for cars that have passed tailpipe tests; supported efforts to create favorable emissions system certification criteria for kit cars and replicas; and attempted to beat back legislation to repeal the state’s 30-year rolling emissions inspection exemption. SEMA also helped create a statewide exhaust-noise testing program that allows vehicle owners to prove compliance with the state’s 95-decibel limit.

“These critical accomplishments would not be possible without the hard work and perseverance of the California legislators who have taken up our banner time and time again and who need our support to ensure the industry’s continued viability,” said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. “Their efforts have kept open markets for automotive specialty equipment and have enabled the creation of new markets to meet the demands of technological innovations.”

So the next time you open your member renewal letter, please consider making a contribution to this critical tool in our efforts to protect and grow the specialty automotive industry.

 

SEMA News - May 2010

Support California Lawmakers Who Support You!  

As a SEMA member, your membership renewal statement includes a request for support for SEMA’s California Political Action Committee (PAC). Whether you represent a homegrown California company, do business in the state or just want to provide for the industry’s continued success, we hope that you will consider making a contribution to this important effort.

Working with the California Legislature in recent years, SEMA has sought legislation to force California’s regulators to save vintage cars and parts from car-crusher scrappage programs; attempted to stop under-the-hood visual inspections for cars that have passed tailpipe tests; supported efforts to create favorable emissions system certification criteria for kit cars and replicas; and attempted to beat back legislation to repeal the state’s 30-year rolling emissions inspection exemption. SEMA also helped create a statewide exhaust-noise testing program that allows vehicle owners to prove compliance with the state’s 95-decibel limit.

“These critical accomplishments would not be possible without the hard work and perseverance of the California legislators who have taken up our banner time and time again and who need our support to ensure the industry’s continued viability,” said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. “Their efforts have kept open markets for automotive specialty equipment and have enabled the creation of new markets to meet the demands of technological innovations.”

So the next time you open your member renewal letter, please consider making a contribution to this critical tool in our efforts to protect and grow the specialty automotive industry.

 

SEMA News - May 2010

Support California Lawmakers Who Support You!  

As a SEMA member, your membership renewal statement includes a request for support for SEMA’s California Political Action Committee (PAC). Whether you represent a homegrown California company, do business in the state or just want to provide for the industry’s continued success, we hope that you will consider making a contribution to this important effort.

Working with the California Legislature in recent years, SEMA has sought legislation to force California’s regulators to save vintage cars and parts from car-crusher scrappage programs; attempted to stop under-the-hood visual inspections for cars that have passed tailpipe tests; supported efforts to create favorable emissions system certification criteria for kit cars and replicas; and attempted to beat back legislation to repeal the state’s 30-year rolling emissions inspection exemption. SEMA also helped create a statewide exhaust-noise testing program that allows vehicle owners to prove compliance with the state’s 95-decibel limit.

“These critical accomplishments would not be possible without the hard work and perseverance of the California legislators who have taken up our banner time and time again and who need our support to ensure the industry’s continued viability,” said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. “Their efforts have kept open markets for automotive specialty equipment and have enabled the creation of new markets to meet the demands of technological innovations.”

So the next time you open your member renewal letter, please consider making a contribution to this critical tool in our efforts to protect and grow the specialty automotive industry.

 

SEMA News - May 2010

Support California Lawmakers Who Support You!  

As a SEMA member, your membership renewal statement includes a request for support for SEMA’s California Political Action Committee (PAC). Whether you represent a homegrown California company, do business in the state or just want to provide for the industry’s continued success, we hope that you will consider making a contribution to this important effort.

Working with the California Legislature in recent years, SEMA has sought legislation to force California’s regulators to save vintage cars and parts from car-crusher scrappage programs; attempted to stop under-the-hood visual inspections for cars that have passed tailpipe tests; supported efforts to create favorable emissions system certification criteria for kit cars and replicas; and attempted to beat back legislation to repeal the state’s 30-year rolling emissions inspection exemption. SEMA also helped create a statewide exhaust-noise testing program that allows vehicle owners to prove compliance with the state’s 95-decibel limit.

“These critical accomplishments would not be possible without the hard work and perseverance of the California legislators who have taken up our banner time and time again and who need our support to ensure the industry’s continued viability,” said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. “Their efforts have kept open markets for automotive specialty equipment and have enabled the creation of new markets to meet the demands of technological innovations.”

So the next time you open your member renewal letter, please consider making a contribution to this critical tool in our efforts to protect and grow the specialty automotive industry.

 

SEMA News - May 2010

Support California Lawmakers Who Support You!  

As a SEMA member, your membership renewal statement includes a request for support for SEMA’s California Political Action Committee (PAC). Whether you represent a homegrown California company, do business in the state or just want to provide for the industry’s continued success, we hope that you will consider making a contribution to this important effort.

Working with the California Legislature in recent years, SEMA has sought legislation to force California’s regulators to save vintage cars and parts from car-crusher scrappage programs; attempted to stop under-the-hood visual inspections for cars that have passed tailpipe tests; supported efforts to create favorable emissions system certification criteria for kit cars and replicas; and attempted to beat back legislation to repeal the state’s 30-year rolling emissions inspection exemption. SEMA also helped create a statewide exhaust-noise testing program that allows vehicle owners to prove compliance with the state’s 95-decibel limit.

“These critical accomplishments would not be possible without the hard work and perseverance of the California legislators who have taken up our banner time and time again and who need our support to ensure the industry’s continued viability,” said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. “Their efforts have kept open markets for automotive specialty equipment and have enabled the creation of new markets to meet the demands of technological innovations.”

So the next time you open your member renewal letter, please consider making a contribution to this critical tool in our efforts to protect and grow the specialty automotive industry.

 

SEMA News - May 2010

Navigating the Waters of Emissions Compliance  

By Jim McFarland

	California’s Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) recently added on-road light- and medium-duty diesel vehicles to its smog-check program.

With regard to emissions compliance requirements, about the only thing constant is change. New methods for controlling and processing exhaust emissions continue to emerge from the car companies. Such technologies are unavoidably confronted by SEMA members seeking to design parts and systems that are functionally compatible, particularly with respect to how vehicle emissions may (or may not) be affected. In fact, the challenges to create emissions-compatible specialty parts often increase for each new vehicle model year.

A current example emerged from California’s Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR), which recently added on-road light- and medium-duty diesel vehicles to its smog-check program. During registration, re-registration or title transfers, these vehicles are now subjected to a visual inspection, followed by a tailpipe test to determine excessive smoke. Specifically, the visual test is to determine that all required emissions equipment is in place and functioning, in addition to identifying the use of any non-stock, emissions-related parts or systems that have not been brought into compliance with a California Air Resources Board (CARB) Executive Order (E.O.). The tailpipe emissions measurement consists of a traditional “snap idle” test evaluating smoke concentration and time to dissipate.

SEMA’s ongoing efforts pertaining to emissions regulations and compliance procedures have included working with CARB to develop an acceptable E.O. test procedure for diesel performance parts. The newly administered BAR smog check for diesels has placed added emphasis on the association’s work with CARB to conclude such a procedure. This type of effort on behalf of its membership is consistent with how the association works with regulators.

The SEMA Black Book is another example of helping members address the compliance process. Revised, simplified and updated last year and posted in an electronic format on the SEMA website, this material is a vital guide to obtaining CARB E.O.s for emissions-related products.

“In many cases, there has been confusion about the process by which requirements can be met and Executive Orders from the California Air Resources Board issued for applicable parts and systems,” said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. “We’ve learned that there are ways to further simplify the process. So, to assist members in understanding the requirements and identify ways to minimize both cost and time in reaching compliance status, this revised material is a collection of information that addresses these issues in a very user-friendly way.”

Website links are also included to provide first-hand information from various compliance-related sources, including the CARB website.

There is reason to believe that achieving and maintaining CARB compliance for emissions-related parts and systems will be increasingly important in the near and long term. Further, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a compliance requirement (Memorandum 1A) that parts manufacturers must have a “reasonable basis” for concluding that their products do not adversely affect the emissions of vehicles on which they are intended to be installed. Currently, the EPA recognizes a CARB E.O. as meeting the required reasonable basis.

Going forward, SEMA continues to monitor activities and information that point to potential regulatory problems, persistently seeking solutions to them. Although the Black Book contains relevant information and certification procedures, it is also a “living document” that can be updated to reflect the most recent information to obtaining compliance status. This is among the reasons affected SEMA members should not only review the book’s current information but periodically return to learn about changes potentially affecting how their parts can be certified.

We appear to be in a time when governmental regulations are on the increase, so it is especially important for members to recognize and utilize all the services SEMA provides when addressing certification issues.  

Parts Required to Be Tested

Manufacturers of specialty parts or systems that could impact vehicle emissions are required to submit these components to specific emissions tests. The CARB website contains a list of all such parts in the section on aftermarket parts listed by device name. Basis for this requirement comes from the anti-tampering provisions contained in two California vehicle codes (VC 27156 and VC 38391). Upon successful completion of the required emissions tests, a CARB compliance document called an E.O. is issued to the manufacturer, thereby enabling the parts to be sold and used on-road in California. The SEMA Black Book not only helps members learn about the testing procedures but also provides information on parts categories applicable to emissions-related specialty parts.