#1 Manufacturer of Custom-Fit Seat Covers Since 1997
How it all started
The early years
Steven Koyama
President, Co-founder
Dan Aspinall
Vice-President, Co-founder
Who would have thought that a meeting between a former Lead-Guitarist and a Chartered Accountant would result in the creation of one of the most progressive seat cover manufacturing businesses in North America?
More than 20 years ago, Co-Founder Steven Koyama quit his night job as a club musician, day job as marketing and operations manager, finished his evening studies and gave up teaching. He and his wife and their Kitty Cat packed the U-Haul with their belongings and dreams and drove across Canada to Vancouver; and oh yeah, they even towed their ‘87 VW Jetta along for the ride.
Meanwhile, Dan Aspinall, a Chartered Accountant with a West Van practice was also a partner in Seat Cover Centre in Vancouver. He was a numbers guy who already had insight into costing with custom upholstery jobs, convertible top repairs and installs, sunroofs and leather interiors. He was also keen on the idea of manufacturing.
In late 1997, Steven reached out to Dan for a lunch meeting to explore possible scenarios for manufacturing. A business plan was sketched out to start SCC Northwest Mfg Ltd. in a 16’ x 16’ corner space within Seat Cover Centre Ltd. Local parts departments really came through with unwavering support that has helped us create jobs for more than 60 employees. Our thanks go out to Coastal Ford, Metro Ford, West Coast Ford, MSA Ford, Patricia Ford and sooo many more … Thank you very much!
A bustling company
At first, Steven and Dan made seat covers only for Ford F-series trucks. With their blood, sweat and tears, their business grew so quickly across Canada in their first year that they incorporated the company in 1998. By demand, they added Dodge and Ram vehicles over the next couple of years.
Dan and Steven focused on wholesale clients, growing their business the old-fashioned way by phone and paper. Only one year later, they expanded into the U.S. market, and, like they say, the rest was history!
Branding metamorphosis
The company: SCC Northwest
The company was incorporated in 1998 under the name SCC Northwest Manufacturing Ltd. (Just in case you’re wondering, SCC stands for Seat Cover Centre.)
Five years later, in 2003, they joined the online revolution with the launch of www.sccnorthwest.com, their first wholesale website.
The brand: NW Seat Covers
The company decided to try their hand in the retail market in 2004. Initially selling under the NW Seat Covers brand, other spin-off brands such as Pro Seat Covers and SeatCover Shop were created. An angular, red and white logo was created for Northwest Seat Covers in 2010, but somehow, it didn’t satisfy management, so in 2015, they hired a branding specialist.
In an effort to end the visual disparity created by the hodge podge of competing brands and logos, a new logo was created in 2015. Known as the "NW Wave" with its fluid lines, the new logo amalgamates the wholesale and retail entities, giving Northwest Seat Covers a strong, unified visual identity to carry it forward over the next few decades.
Currently, a new website is under the works. With a new logo and visual branding, the company looks forward to a new and improved website in 2016, where both whole and retail products will be combined under one “roof”: www.nwseatcovers.com.
Access our Branding Guidelines and Logos.
Today
Northwest Seat Covers currently serves Canadian and American customers, but will be expanding to Europe, South America and Asia over the next few years.
Overseas retail special requests
If you're in another country and would like seat covers for your car, we may be able to cater to your region. Call our toll-free line to speak to one of our friendly Customer Service staff: 1-888-821-1066 or email us at contact@nwseatcovers.com to see if your special request would be possible.
Wholesale partnerships
If you're interested in becoming a wholesale distributor / dealer or partner, please contact Jean Zhang, Sales Manager or our sales team: sales@nwseatcovers.com.