Checker Motors files for Ch. 11 bankruptcy
Click above for high-res gallery of the Checker Motors Cab
Checker Motors Corp. stopped making taxicabs over two decades ago, but the company has soldiered on as a parts manufacturer. That ride has been detoured, though, as the company recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The 87-year-old Kalamazoo company filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Friday, Jan. 16.
Although Checker stopped production in 1982, the company still has 246 employees making metal stampings and welded assemblies for all of the Detroit 3. The filing makes Checker the seventh major U.S. supplier to file for bankruptcy protection in the past year, and the 54th this decade.
Escalating raw material prices and dwindling sales for their customers' products were cited as the main reasons for the filing, but another big reason was labor costs. It's reported that a deal with unionized labor couldn't be reached even after a year of negotiations.
Gallery: Checker Motors Cab
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Dr. Nick 9:34AM (1/20/2009)
Wow, I had no idea they were still around.
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TheMiddleRoad 3:31AM (1/25/2009)
They're not still around. The economy, management, and their union managed to kill the business.
Lori 9:00AM (1/22/2009)
I still drive my Checker Marathon and wouldn't have any other car. I love my Checker. What a sad, sad state of affairs if this iconic parts company should fold.
Allison 12:46PM (1/22/2009)
Man everyone is going under, Have you ever wondered....
What does $700 billion actually buy? (List of 25 things) Check it out...
http://www.curiousread.com/2008/10/what-does-700-billion-actually-buy.html
So sad....
dukeisduke 9:35AM (1/20/2009)
I didn't know they were around, either. Another victim of the economy, the Big Three, and the UAW. I wonder what parts they made for whom?
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Quattroporte 10:04AM (1/20/2009)
I think they made the Buick Enclave's fenders.
http://www.checkermotors.com/classa.html
(bottom of page)
http://www.netcarshow.com/buick/2008-enclave/1600x1200/wallpaper_07.htm
dukeisduke 9:42AM (1/20/2009)
Here's their Web site:
http://www.checkermotors.com/
If you're good at recognizing cars, you can figure what cars they were making parts for, based on the pictures on their site. They were doing all kinds of stuff, like roof panels for large SUVs, to trunk floors, to hoods and decklids, to B-pillars, to frame components, and more.
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doug 10:09AM (1/20/2009)
So the union "won" their battle, refusing to give up some concessions. Now the company is bankrupt. Now what, union??
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Polly Prissy Pants 12:09PM (1/20/2009)
Now what? Assuming Checker reorganizes then probably the same deal that was offerred to them prior to bankruptcy. My guess it was one of those where they said "You can take this ultra-crappy deal now or take your chances with the court" and they decided to take their chances with the court. But that's purely speculation on my part.
Visnick 10:11AM (1/20/2009)
Very sad
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AntBee 10:25AM (1/20/2009)
I've always wanted to own a Checker Cab.
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Craig 11:36AM (1/20/2009)
no compromise no settlement no company no jobs another brilliant union plan
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Richard 10:56AM (1/20/2009)
Less money or your job!
"Um...take may job!"
Brilliant! And very far-sighted (sarcasm).
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JN 11:16AM (1/20/2009)
Interestingly enough, protracted wrangling with their union (the Allied Industrial Workers back then, not sure if they still represent Checker employees now) was one of the major reasons Checker quit building cabs in 1982. They staved off bankruptcy then by ramping up the stamping business, which they got into back to the early '70s when car production started to drop off.
On a lighter note, David Markin, Checker's president and son of the company's founder, Morris Markin, is probably at least as well known in the world of tennis as he is for running Checker.
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RPM 11:41AM (1/20/2009)
Ford should buy out Checker, and use the Checker brand for fleet cars, rather than using the new Taurus. Base the cars on the Taurus platform, just use another company's branding.
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Frank 12:14PM (1/20/2009)
"It's reported that a deal with unionized labor couldn't be reached even after a year of negotiations."
This does not bode well for the big three seeking concessions if the union won't bend for a little company like Checker. Hopefully they will be able to finally renegotiate a contract under chapter 11 and come back.
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Pokey 4:55PM (1/20/2009)
I think the Checker workers are/were represented by a different union, not UAW.
Mitka 1:01PM (1/20/2009)
I would be cool if all new NY taxi cabs where Checkers. The old design but with upgraded chassis and interiors.
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JP 11:15PM (1/20/2009)
Totally agree - in the same way that LTI Vehicles has kept the iconic London cab up to a modern standard. NYC would look fantastic decked out in a new fleet of modern-retro Checkers. Actually with this development, whoever picks up the ashes may have a chance to make a go at something like this.
Kaveh 1:22PM (1/20/2009)
I didn't know they were stll around, made the coolest taxis and remember seeing a dealership down in florida back in the day for the normal cars. To bad, another good company gone.
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