2021 left us with a lot of questions: With the fragility of our supply chain exposed, will there be any long term changes? Has partnering with countries who have a different governing philosophy made us vulnerable? Will small businesses who are struggling with their labor forces ever fully recover?
Category: News
Becoming a Podcaster
I have been a podcast addict for at least eight years now and thought it would be an interesting platform for our niche audience. For those of you not familiar with a podcast, it is on-demand radio. And since podcasts are produced digitally and distributed on the internet, there are much lower barriers to entry than traditional terrestrial radio. As a result, there are over two million podcasts on every niche topic imaginable. Into bow hunting? A quick search yielded at least eight podcasts dedicated to bowhunting. Want to listen to a show about welding? There are at least 15 just in English. This ability to cost effectively produce a program geared to a super niche audience is something that simply was not possible to do before.
“Solder & Soot” Podcast Episode 14: Frank Finger Part 2
We couldn’t fit all of Frank Finger’s wisdom into one episode, so we continue the conversation with the legend himself in Part 2. Expanding your business can be tricky, and you need the right strategy. In this episode, we hear from Frank about his move into distribution and how he developed the sales business. Frank also talks about his own exit strategy when he sold his company. Plus, hear why Frank Finger says NARSA/IDEA members have to be brave when it comes to business in this episode of “Solder & Soot.”
Important Notice about Cooling Journal Distribution
Beginning May 2022, physical copies of the Cooling Journal bi-monthly magazine will only be mailed to NARSA/IDEA members in good standing.
January/February 2022 Cooling Journal
In the first Cooling Journal issue of 2022, we visit Empire Radiator Service based in New York. Read about how the company has grown over the years and their plans for the new year. Plus, read about the new goals and lessons learned from NARSA/IDEA's Board of Directors.
January 2022 Newsletter
NARSA/IDEA wishes all of its members a Happy New Year! In the first newsletter of 2022, we look ahead at some upcoming industry events that could help boost your business. Our news section also includes a new business transitioning, how members are helping tornado victims, and several retirement announcements.
Turbos, EGRs & Charge Air Coolers: How Do They Affect DPFs?
By being able to speak intelligently about the diesel exhaust system, your people can be a resource for your customers. In some businesses, the technician cleaning the diesel particulate filters is one of the least experienced people in your shop. To help them better understand the process, let’s do a simple review of how the diesel engine operates and the components that control and or create the exhaust. Understanding that the diesel particulate filter is just a trash can and only catches what comes down the exhaust pipe is the first step in understanding the process.
“Solder & Soot” Podcast Episode 13: Frank Finger
We are kicking off Season 2 of "Solder & Soot: A NARSA/IDEA Podcast" with a pioneer in the cooling systems world: Frank Finger, whose career spans nearly 80 years. Mr. Frank is not only a dear friend to both Bobby Duran and Mark Taylor, but he's also a wealth of information to everyone in NARSA/IDEA. In Part 1 of this interview, we learn about the early days of NARSA/IDEA in the 1950s, how the radiator industry has changed over time, and the piece of business advice that Frank's father taught him that he will never forget.
Rocky Mount Radiator Connects with High School Students
Students in North Carolina recently got to learn more about the cooling systems industry thanks to Rocky Mount Radiator & A/C. NARSA/IDEA member Chuck Braswell is on the Board of CITI High School, which stands for Center for Industry, Technology, and Innovation, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. There is a public school initiative that helps prepare young adults for entering the workforce. According to the administration, CITI students earn stackable certificates in a variety of pathways with the hopes of completing an Associate's degree. Among the tracts they can pursue include automotive and industrial courses.
2021: Year in Review
This is the final magazine of 2021, and it is appropriate to recap the past year and give account of where we have been, what we have learned and where we are going. It is also necessary to thank all who have played a part in moving this association forward. Almost everyone has heard or said, “When you are given lemons, make lemonade” or another favorite “When you get thrown off that horse, get back on it” and finally “You can’t change the hand you have been dealt, just the way you play them.” All of these adages are relevant to the general atmosphere of doing business in 2021.