“Solder and Soot” is produced by NARSA/IDEA, an international trade association connecting shops, manufacturers, and distributors in the cooling systems and diesel emissions industries. Each episode, hosts Mark Taylor and Bobby Duran interview entrepreneurs and industry leaders to learn more about their business challenges and success stories.
You can find “Solder & Soot” on iTunes, Spotify, Anchor.fm as well as http://narsa-idea.org/podcast.
Interested in sponsoring an episode of Solder & Soot? Email marymargaret@narsa.org.
Latest Episodes
“Solder & Soot” Podcast Episode 23: Dolphin
If you’re involved in the cooling systems industry, you likely know the name Dolphin. Ahead of NARSA’s 2023 International Tour in the Middle East, we sit down with Riddhish Kapadia of the Dolphin Group to learn more about the manufacturer’s history and its extensive footprint across the world. In this episode, we also learn about…
“Solder & Soot” Podcast Episode 22: “A Cooling Systems Christmas Carol”
To wrap up 2022, Solder & Soot’s Mark Taylor and Bobby Duran have curated a Cooling Systems Christmas Carol. In this special episode, our hosts reflect on the past, present, and future of NARSA/IDEA and what big events impacted our members.
“Solder & Soot” Podcast Episode 21: Pat O’Connor
In this episode of “Solder & Soot,” we sit down with cooling systems industry expert Pat O’Connor, Vice President of Sales at Johnson Manufacturing. Pat will be inducted into NARSA’s Cooling Systems Hall of Fame in 2023. Without a doubt, NARSA would not be what it is today without Pat’s influence. In addition to hearing…
“Solder & Soot” Podcast Episode 20: L&M Radiator
Minnesota-based L&M Radiator is well-known in the cooling systems industry, but our listeners may not know the company’s origins and how it can be traced back to WWII. In this episode of Solder & Soot, we sit down with David “Sully” Sullender to learn what sets MESABI® products apart.
“Solder & Soot” Podcast Episode 19: Roppel Industries
In the cooling systems industry, the Roppel family of Kentucky is well known. In this episode of “Solder & Soot,” we sit down with father and son Tom and Corey Roppel to learn about the early days of the family business and how Roppel Industries has transformed over the past 75 years. This episode isn’t…
“Solder & Soot” Podcast Episode 18: Luis Duran
We dive into the dynamics of running a family business with Bobby’s father Luis Duran in this episode of “Solder & Soot.” Learn how Luis first got involved in the cooling systems industry, his service in the Air Force, and how he ran two companies in New Jersey and Puerto Rico. You’ll also hear from…
“Solder & Soot” Podcast Episode 17: BGR Radiator
On this episode of “Solder & Soot,” we learn the ins and outs of on-site generator service with the Davis brothers of BGR Radiator in Connecticut. Hear how the business has changed over the years, where BGR really shines, and what Jamie and Nick Davis say is one of their biggest challenges in the cooling…
“Solder & Soot” Podcast Episode 16: West End Radiators
We learn all about Canada’s West End Radiators and the Feeleus family in this episode of “Solder & Soot.” Wayne Feeleus walks us through the company’s 60+ years of history as a cooling systems service shop and growth as a manufacturer. Hear what Feeleus says drives his success. Plus, we also find out more about…
“Solder & Soot” Podcast Episode 15: American Radiator
In this episode of “Solder & Soot,” we sit down with Joel Christianson of American Radiator which is based in Iowa. As we all know, the only constant thing in life is change. And Joel’s story is a great example of learning how to adapt in this industry and how to diversify. In addition to learning more…
“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…
“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.…
“Solder & Soot” Podcast Episode 12: Empire Radiator Service
In this latest episode of “Solder & Soot,” we sit down with three generations of Schelkuns (Mike, Jim, and Andrew) who run Empire Radiator Service. We dive into the past, present, and future plans of the Rochester, New York-based company and dig into what it’s really like working with your family.
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“Solder & Soot” Podcast Hosts:
ABOUT MARK TAYLOR:
Mark Taylor graduated from Wesley College before starting his own radiator repair business in 1981. He later owned and operated ERS Cooling Systems in Glen Burnie, MD for 36 years. He served as President of NARSA from 2014-2016, then Chairman of NARSA from 2016-2018 before becoming the Executive Director in 2019.
ABOUT BOBBY DURAN:
Bobby Duran is President of Cooling Systems Caribe in Aibonito, Puerto Rico. Bobby started his career with S&F Radiator Service in New Jersey in 2005 and successfully exited the business in 2016. He has been NARSA member for 15 years and board member for over 10 years. He is currently serving as the Chairman of the NARSA/IDEA Board of Directors.