Should IMACA and NARSA become IMARSA?
by John R. Hess
From the Mar/Apr 2001 edition of Cool Profit$ Magazine
© 2001
In early April, the NARSA 2001 Convention and Trade Show was held at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. I hereby officially declare it to have been a success!
Admittedly, there was nowhere near the attendance at this show as compared to those of yesteryear. But then again it seems like all specialized automotive associations have been suffering from decreased membership and convention attendance.

Why a success?
Why do I judge it to be a success? Because the seminars at this convention overcame a disturbing trend that has plagued the last two or three NARSA annual events (IMACA and MACS too): emptyseatitus at the early morning sessions. By 8:35 (five minutes into the Heavy Duty seminar), chairs had to be funneled into and onto the room’s available floor space. There were at least twenty to thirty more eager listeners than there were seats available. The seat shortage occurred during other sessions as well. Why? Many of the shop owners and technicians who showed up had not pre-registered; a temporary pain for NARSA organizers, but oh what a wonderful surprise. Not only were the seminars well attended, but the audience participated too.

Below: NARSA's Heavy Duty seminar at the 2001 Convention was again a room-filling success. Even the early moring start couldn't keep the faithful away. Realizing its popularity in the last two conventions, this session was given a longer venue.

Can’t be away that long
While Tuesday’s tradeshow was a hustle-bustle of activity, things slowed down by Wednesday afternoon. Apparently, many radiator shop owners just couldn’t take that much time away from their business. Which leads me to my next subject in this article: NARSA-IMACA and the upcoming vote of NARSA members. Note though, that a more detailed report of this specific NARSA event will appear in the next issue of Cool Profit$ Magazine.

IMACA-NARSA: the merger is not a done deal 
Currently, the boards of directors of both IMACA and NARSA have voted to merge their organizations. The final step in this “IMARSA” culmination is an affirmative vote from NARSA membership. However, a rift has developed within that association; members of the Southeast Committee and others have come out against the merger. It’s in that light that I have chosen to offer my opinion on this very important decision. While not being a current member of any trade organization, my 30 years of involvement with both radiator and a/c service shops allows me to speak out on something that so deeply affects the owners and technicians of theses businesses.

I support the merger, but…
I’m on record as a long time supporter of a merger of IMACA, MACS and NARSA—at least of their trade shows. With regard to this potential total union, yes, I support it as well. The opponents, however, have circulated a “vote no on the merger” letter to existing NARSA members that raises some legitimate objections. In three pages they mention discrepancies between reported and audited financial and membership numbers, inequities in the makeup of the ultimate controlling board (A/C versus radiator representatives) and the loss of the NARSA identity. They believe that this merger does not serve the needs of the radiator shop, that its development was too expensive and suggest that NARSA’s funds would be better spent promoting itself to, and seeking new members from, the non-member radiator shops in the US.

Certainly, all questions about financial and membership number discrepancies must be answered to everyone’s satisfaction, especially NARSA members. I am not privy to that information, and if you’re not sure about the exact conditions of the agreement, contact NARSA management for clarification.

Identity diminishing
While this may sound a little harsh, part of my encouragement of this merger is because of the decreasing role that the radiator repair shop, and repairman, plays in automotive service today. With the overabundance of aftermarket complete radiators, vehicle owners and other repair shops are less dependent on those particular skills. Consequently, I believe that the remaining shops should bond themselves with as many other like-minded shops as possible. Air conditioning (cabin climate control) and engine cooling are most compatible. As time passes, no matter how nice and how good of craftsmen their members are, an association of pure radiator repair people will still be serving in a declining industry. Today, it’s tough trying to get new members into any automotive repair association.

Need vendor’s support
Like it or not, a truly functional aftermarket “trade association” must have active support from its vendors. Vendors do not have to run the association, but at least must have access to the members. Of course, better-attended seminars provide vendors with more member access; more access means that vendors are more eager to participate and provide more $upport. Since many vendors to the radiator industry also produce air conditioning components, a combined organization will look more attractive to the bean counter budget deciders.
The alternative is something closer to a club that survives on membership dues, minimum fundraiser activities and voluntary management. There is nothing wrong with such an organization except that it will not be formidable player as a trade association.

The inevitable…gulp
The words that follow are extremely difficult for me to say; so I’ll just say them. Unless the pricing of aftermarket complete radiators breaks its bargain basement trend of the last 10+ years and starts climbing exponentially, the radiator repair trade will continue to shrink similar to that of a club of past war veterans (and I’m a Lifetime Member of the VFW). They are comprised of fine and great people who are not a part of a growth industry. I believe that also to be the fate facing a NARSA that is limited to repair only. Of course, I welcome those of you with differing opinions and relish the opportunity to publish your rebuttal.

IMARSA, a new brand?
To satisfy the need of full time radiatormen, a Radiator Repair Committee is needed within IMARSA (assuming it passes). It should be manned with members strongly committed to the continuance of repairs and recores of heat exchangers.

A separate Committee should be established to further the aftermarket service of Engine Cooling Systems. This committee would focus on, and would become the expert in, aftermarket coolants, flushes, hoses, belts, water pumps, pressure caps, thermostats, etc. It may require a subcommittee dedicated to diagnosing and servicing cooling systems, which includes the recognition of Scan Tool devices.

Naturally, within IMARSA there would also be the Air Conditioning Committee. A/C shop owners and technicians control it, but they could turn to OE and Aftermarket component and system manufacturers for technical assistance. Ultimately, a blending of like-minded IMACA and MACS members could literally drive the A/C aftermarket with their strength.

MACS name recognition
I realize how far out on a limb I am by even mentioning this, but if IMARSA were to happen, would there then not be a strong opportunity for a MACS—IMARSA? Surely though, wiser people than me would come with an appropriate name.

I sincerely hope that my friends at IMACA, MACS, NARSA, and especially those on the Southeast Committee of NARSA, will understand that the above opinions were in no way based on politics, prejudice or money. I stood back and took the proverbial “hard look” at the future of today’s radiator and air conditioning service businesses. This is my best guess for an outline of a successful association of aftermarket heat transfer professionals. I will post this article to www.imcool.com along with a form for rebuttals—and agreements if any are offered???    $$$

For more on this subject, check out the accompanying opinion/editorial:
Beyond IMACA, MACS and NARSA