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About - Who We Are - History

The automotive industry traces its roots to the 1890s. NARSA members trace their heritage beyond that to the era of the horse and buggy to the blacksmith. In the early days of the horseless carriage, radiator repair was pioneered at the anvils and forges of the village smithies.

As the motor car and the motor car industry grew, so did the need for radiator repair and cooling system maintenance. Local, regional and metropolitan associations grew out of the need for better education and communication about the business of radiator repair. It wasn't until 1954 when a group radiator repair shop owners founded NARSA - The International Heat Transfer Association, expanded for the first time a network for education and communication from one end of the United States to the other. Throughout the years, the organization grew and expanded; today it counts more than 1500 members in 42 different countries.

Key Moments in NARSA History
1950s
	1953	First NARSA Organizational Meeting held in Detroit, MI
	1954	First Convention held in Detroit.
1960s
	1963	NARSA establishes National Automotive Radiator Industry Foundation to award scholarships for higher education to families within the industry.
1970s
	1973	NARSA moves from Detroit , MI to suburban Philadelphia .
	1977	NARSA creates a Heavy-Duty division and changes its logo to reflect membership in the United States and Canada .
	1978	The 25 th Annual Convention is held at the Diplomatic Hotel in Hollywood, FL. Charlie Braswell is elected to a 2 nd term as the Association’s Man of the Year”.
1980s
	1980	Association creates a retail division in an effort to meet the developing needs of the organizations members.
	1988	NARSA’s 35 th Annual Convention and Trade Show takes place in Las Vegas.
1990s
	1993	Association develops lead training video in conjunction with the Lead Industry Association to support shop efforts in complying with compliance standards.
	1995	NARSA’s Heavy Duty Committee creates standard definitions and Recommends bid format for radiator repair feet account use.
2000s
	2000	Executive Director Mike Dwyer and Jim Butitta make a 10-stop tour of South East Asia and Western Australia to spread the word about the benefits of NARSA membership.
	2001	The 48 th Annual Convention and Trade Show is held at the MGM GrandHotel in Las Vegas , NV .
	2002	The 49 th Annual Convention and Trade Show is held Disney’s Contemporary Resort Hotel in Orlando, FL
	2003	NARSA celebrates its 50 th Annual Convention and Trade Show in San Diego, CA. Darryl Bippert is installed as NARSA President
	2004	NARSA celebrates its 51 st Annual Convention and Trade Show. Randy Lalonde is installed as NARSA President.
	2006	NARSA celebrates its 54th Annual Convention and Trade Show. Chuck Braswell is installed as NARSA's newest President.
	2007	The Cooling Journal celebrates its 50th anniversary.