From Grandpa’s Invention to Today’s Innovations: A Family Legacy [RR 1033]

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care, NAPA TRACS and Automotive Management Network Recorded at the 45th annual Mobile Air Climate Systems Conference (MACS 2025) in Orlando, Florida, Rob Bollinger shares the unique story of his third-generation family business, emphasizing their commitment to personal service and the legacy of his grandfather, who invented the overflow bottle system. The discussion also touches upon industry trends, the challenges of price competition, the evolution of AC systems with electric vehicles, and Bollinger's future plans for the business. Rob Bollinger, ABC Radiator, Baltimore, MD. https://www.facebook.com/abcradiator401 Show Notes

• Watch Full Video Episode
• MACS Training Event & Trade Show: https://macsmobileairclimate.org/
• National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF): https://wp.nastf.org/
• Koura: https://www.kouraglobal.com/
• Honeywell: https://www.honeywell.com/us/en
• Introduction to MAC Conference (00:00:00)
• Guest Introduction: Rob Bollinger (00:02:17)
• Rob's Family Business Legacy (00:02:52)
• Personal Touch in Deliveries (00:03:52)
• Customer Engagement During Deliveries (00:04:30)
• Rob's Background in the Business (00:06:08)
• Regrets About Family Business (00:06:22)
• Coolant Reservoir Bottle Invention (00:07:40)
• Patenting the Invention (00:08:25)
• Legacy of the Invention (00:09:48)
• Cash vs. Cashless Transactions (00:10:05)
• Honesty in Business (00:15:46)
• Future of Specialty Shops (00:16:20)
• Customer Outreach (00:16:30)
• Changes in Radiator Industry (00:16:54)
• Hiring Challenges (00:18:11)
• Golfing and Business Balance (00:18:39)
• AC Industry Challenges (00:20:10)
• Leak Detection Methods (00:20:57)
• Future Plans (00:21:50)
• Real Estate and Business Stability (00:22:28)
• Family Support (00:23:33)
• Training and Industry Updates (00:24:26)
• Vendor Interaction at Conferences (00:25:08)
• AI Repair Discussion (00:25:55)
• Reflection on the Conversation (00:26:09)

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care, NAPA TRACS and Automotive Management Network Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Get ready to grow your business with the Automotive Management Network: Find on the Web at...