Category: The Cooling Journal

In the early 80s, copper and brass automotive radiators were still dominating the majority of work in radiator shops. This trend started to shift by the mid to late 80s as plastic and aluminum radiators became original equipment for the majority of the automotive market. Also diverting business from the radiator shops was inexpensive complete radiators from overseas which were being sold by every type of auto parts outlet. Within 10 years, the automotive radiator aftermarket had been transformed from being predominantly a radiator shop function to the radiator shops having a small piece of the new automotive complete radiator sales market.

Starting off a new calendar year gives us a chance to do some cleaning up, and for many businesses such as ours, it gives us a chance to reflect on what things went right and those which could stand improvement. With 2023 underway, we started to see a changing of the guard with supply chains slowly starting to recover, shipping and freight cost starting to come back to reality, as well as some semblance of a COVID-free work environment.

This year, we had a renewed excitement in the beginning of the year by being able to plan and facilitate in-person events. This year has renewed the enthusiasm of members, the Board of Directors, and the home office. We have had three hugely successful meetings this year. We started off at Don Hart’s Radiator in Waller, Texas for our 2022 Spring Conference. Then we had a hugely successful International Tour in the United Kingdom where we visited G&M Radiator and Advanced Radiators. Finally, we had a great AAPEX convention the first week of November.

At the heart of this association, we each stand to gain one idea, one connection, and one opportunity for our businesses, and feeling the vibe about the room further reinforced what the board of directors has been pushing so strongly over the last 4 years. 

No matter the level of sophistication of yours or someone else’s business, I can assure you there is always something to learn that will make a difference in your business. New ideas are created by exposing yourself to the ideas of others. The greatest compliment to another individual or company is when you take an idea that has been shared and make it your own. Just like all of your relationships in life, they are only as good as the effort that you put into them. 

Not a NARSA event goes by that someone doesn’t pull me aside for a quick anecdote about a kind gesture that my grandad did when they were first starting in the radiator business or a story of how my dad was tasked with giving the blessing at each event he attended. These two men have created such a strong foundation for our family in this industry that it seems only natural for me to follow in their footsteps and serve as the next NARSA/IDEA president, but boy will these be some awfully big shoes to fill.

The Board of Directors decided on a different approach to start the search for my replacement. In the past, the search was kept behind the scenes. Sometimes head hunters were used to identify candidates, but now the Board is convinced that a person from within our industry is best suited to help manage the affairs of the association.