Published: 05/18/2026
Ulf Anvin Receives NARSA's 2026 Distinguished Service Award
During the 2026 Spring Conference in Minnesota, Ulf Anvin of Anvin International was recognized with the 2026 Distinguished Service Award.
Anvin accepted the award during a ceremony at The Garden Event center in Duluth on April 29, 2026. This honor was in recognition for his initiative, resourcefulness and actions which have greatly impacted NARSA and the cooling systems industry.
Anvin’s incredible career spans more than 50 years. After receiving an MBA from Uppsala University in 1969 and serving in the Swedish Army, Anvin met a man on a train who pushed him to find his future in the metal industry. “The result was entering Svenska Metallverken in Vasteras, Sweden as junior export manager in the Aluminium division,” said Anvin. “At that time aluminum was mainly used for AC and no other Heat Exchangers. Six years later and two name changes of the company, I moved to the more noble metal Copper sales at Granges Metallverken. During the next 10 years, I worked as an export manager, and I learned about the Heat Exchanger industry in Europe and in the United States.”
Anvin eventually moved to the US in 1987. “I participated in my first NARSA convention in Atlanta in 1987, and since then I have not missed one,” said Anvin. “It has been an amazing journey to meet many interesting people on many continents in companies from a 10-man shop to the big guys.”
Anvin later went on to work for Aurubis before starting his own company, Anvin International. Anvin International is a global consulting firm specializing in thermal management.
Anvin was nominated by a fellow NARSA member who said, “Ulf has played a key role in opening global supply channels for mission critical raw materials. He has helped numerous companies access reliable, high-quality materials, strengthening the entire supply base and the industry. He’s recognized for an exceptional ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with customers, suppliers, and industry stakeholders across continents. Ulf has a reputation for integrity, reliability, and partnership-minded business conduct. More generally, Ulf has helped to cultivate a culture of partnership, consistency, and professionalism across borders. This is very much aligned with NARSA's mission.”
Outside of the Copper business, Anvin has also been involved with activities to strengthen the trade and cooperation between US and Sweden. He spent many years as chair for Swedish American Chamber in Chicago and ended up as the national chair for Swedish American Chamber of Commerce US in DC. He also had the honor to be appointed Honorary Consul General for Sweden in the Midwest.
“Working as a supplier to many different industries, there is no doubt that the heat exchanger industry is an amazing network with extensive cooperation and open information exchange,” said Anvin.