Registration Now Open for 2026 Spring Conference in Minnesota
The 2026 Spring Conference hosted by L&M Radiator is scheduled for April 29-30. This year’s theme focuses on Extreme and Severe Duty Cooling in Minnesota.
Members will fly into Duluth, Minnesota before a full day of programming at the Pier B Resort Hotel on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. Then on Thursday, April 30, attendees will be bused to Hibbing. The two-day conference will focus on extreme duty and severe duty cooling applications, a topic that continues to grow in importance across heavy-duty, off-highway, mining, and industrial markets.
Headquartered in Hibbing, Minnesota, L&M Radiator was founded by George Langer (L) and Clay Murray (M) in 1957. The two acquired the rights to the individual replaceable cooling tube radiator concept, which was originally developed by the British in WWII for their tanks. They brought this concept to the Minnesota Mesabi Iron Range to incorporate in the harsh conditions in the iron ore mines.
During the visit at L&M, NARSA members will get an up close look at how MESABI radiators are produced. Our conference hosts believe this will be a rare and special opportunity. “While most other heat exchanger manufacturers make a very similar product to all other heat exchangers, L&M Radiator only makes the Mesabi style radiator,” said David “Sully” Sullender, L&M’s Eastern North America Representative. “L&M has always been very guarded with their manufacturing, and we do have proprietary equipment and processes at our facility, so we continue to be careful with who is at our facility–especially now that there are copycat companies producing knock off Mesabis and selling them into various markets,”
What sets L&M apart? “MESABI® Heat Exchanger are field repairable and made to support the heavy equipment that is mission-critical any operation. Constructed with our signature individual cooling tubes, flexible rubber seals and no soldered seams, MESABI® products are proven to perform in even the harshest conditions,” said Sullender. “You will find our industry-leading products in mining, gas and oil, transport, locomotive, power generation, marine and other heavy equipment markets everywhere around the globe.”
Another point of interest will be L&M’s R&D department. “Our Engineering and Research and Development departments are state of the art,” said Sullender. “The R&D department utilized its very own proprietary wind tunnel for development of new products. The manufacturing facility boasts the latest in machining and milling technology. In 2018 L&M began a $25 million dollar expansion and upgrade to the facility. Our facility is centrally located on the Iron Ore mining range (The Mesabi Range) which is the largest producer of Iron Ore in the US.”
In addition to the tour, members will also have an opportunity for hands-on learning with L&M technicians. L&M will provide a V-tube Radiator, a tube and shell cooler, and a high-pressure S-fin aluminum coolers for demonstrations.
Our programming during the classroom day on Wednesday, April 29 is also geared toward Extreme and Heavy-Duty Cooling. There will be panel discussions as well as ample time for networking and peer-to-peer learning. Also returning this year will be an informal roundtable, which was well received at the 2025 Spring Conference in Iowa. “These conversations between shop owners often prove just as valuable as the formal sessions, as members share practical insights and lessons learned from the field,” said NARSA/IDEA’s Executive Director Nathan Ingrao.
The 2026 Spring Conference will also recognize notable NARSA members during this year’s award ceremony on Wednesday, April 29. Former Executive Director and past President Mark Taylor will be honored with a Hall of Fame Award. Meanwhile, Martin Newell of Active Radiator will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award.
And to wrap up the first night, members will get to network with vendors at the Table Top Exhibition and dinner reception.
Be sure to check http://narsa-idea.org for updates including our schedule of events and speaker bios as the event gets closer.
Register Here for Spring Conference