ROCKET INDUSTRIES

Profile

From humble beginnings at premises in Five Dock, then latterly Mortlake, Rocket Industries has evolved into a massive new home erected eight years ago in the industrial Sydney suburb of Huntingwood; a mere stone's throw from Eastern Creek and the equally imposing new Western Sydney International Dragway. This relocation, completed with typical thoroughness and preparation, has enabled Rocket Industries to generate exponential growth as well as cultivating a reputation for quality and ‏hands-on' assistance.
It is no coincidence that the striking premises is in close proximity to Eastern Creek as a steady stream of customers are attracted to Rocket based upon a reputation for service, technical information, warranty and repair services as well as truly competitive pricing. For us Speedway folk, Rocket Industries is a leisurely 20-minute drive down the M4 Motorway from Parramatta City Raceway.
Regular employee training keeps the staff constantly abreast of all the latest developments whilst areas of specialist expertise have been built up to accommodate even the most complicated of questions. Rocket even has dedicated personnel on hand to answer queries on all disciplines of motorsports including Speedway.
Actually Rocket's inventory is so vast that there would not be a Speedway racer who wouldn't consume Rocket-stocked products during a racing season. Whether you require spark plugs for your Street Stock or seat belts for your Sprintcar Rocket Industries can cater to your needs!
But it is as a wholesaler, rather than retailer, that Rocket is continually growing its business. From Bunbury to Bundaberg, Darwin to Devonport a single call to the Rocket Industries hotline can have you quickly guided to a wholesaler in your particular area. While ‏over the counter' sales are catered for, they represent a mere fraction of the revenue generated from its imposing array of products, the major side of the business is truly impressive. The sheer volume of imports from long established contacts enables Rocket to set ultra competitive prices backed up by sound knowledge of its vast catalogue.
More than 40 well trained staff are on hand to service customers with the added convenience of a well designed web site that will guide visitors through the comprehensive range of products. Described as a ‏one-stop-shop', Rocket has a dedicated phone service where on-line operators are truly conversant with their work as specialists in the various disciplines of drag, street, power boat, off-road and oval track racing.
In keeping with the need to be conversant with very latest trends and developments from overseas, Rocket regularly send employees across to America on assignment to keep up to date. Specific examples include the annual SEMA and Performance Racing Industries (PRI) Trade Shows. Here contacts are sought or cemented as the volume of purchasing helps in long term relationships with major suppliers from within the racing industry. One of the most important aspects for Rocket is the doctrine, ‘if we haven't got it, we can get it!’ Although the respective manufacturer catalogues are voluminous, specifically customised and tailored parts can also be ordered although, given the sheer diversity of stock, a specialised order is a rarity.
Viewed from the exterior, the Huntingwood facility is just what it appears; a modern building in a relatively new industrial estate. But it is inside the warehouse where one begins to comprehend why it is such a thriving hub of activity. Once issued past the sales counter and staff manning the constantly ringing phones, the interior is a labyrinth of a bewildering amount of diverse products; all of which are grouped by brand and part numbers. To simplify the process the system mirrors orders by manufacturer and associated part number.
Growth has compelled Cowin to add a mezzanine section for additional storage while even further expansion will soon be required to accommodate yet more stock. Indeed the entire Rocket Industries top fuel drag racing outfit will have to be relocated to a separate workshop in order to free up more space. An indication of just how busy the performance parts section has progressed is that the inventory has doubled in just the past two years alone!
To attempt to describe this inventory and the breadth of the range of items and manufacturers in this article would be folly. It would be far better to illustrate just what is available by poring over their comprehensive 428-page Rocket ‏Super' catalogue which is chock full of the exhaustive range. For example, the product index gives the viewer an idea of what is available in specific categories. In the instance of the ‏Safety' category, you'll find sections dedicated to arm restraints, fire suits, gloves, harnesses, helmets, neck braces, Nomex underwear, bags, race shoes, steering wheel pads and window nets amongst others.
Now extrapolate just that one category into a multiplicity of others and you'll start to get an appreciation for what is available. Under the listing of K&N Filters alone there are no less than 42 pages dedicated to every conceivable application!
What strikes you most about touring the many aisles of stock are the quality brand names just like K&N. You'll see the very latest technology from MSD Ignitions, Weld Racing Wheels, Fel-Pro Gaskets, Simpson Safety & Racing Products, Auto Meter Competition Instruments, Mickey Thompson Tires and a whole host of other specialist manufacturers - Champion, Crane, Crow, Crower, etc. etc. I don't need to elaborate any further as by now it should become evident just how enormous the range really is.
Upstairs you'll find essential items from fuel jugs to race seats to the Sprintcar mandatory Head-and-Neck Restraint. Delve further and there is a veritable treasure trove to sate the appetite of any performance related rev head. Think of a product and, more than likely, it will be stored somewhere for retrieval.
Whilst a guided tour of the inner warehouse is an eye-opening experience, it does vividly demonstrate the volume, turn over and associated benefit from bulk buying on such a grand scale. Although Speedway is only one specific segment of the entire operation, many of the suppliers and parts vendors in our sector of the sport would do well to consider what an association with Rocket could potentially do to their own business. Rather than rely upon importing a minimal number of one-off or a handful of specific parts, a direct association with Rocket as a wholesaler could well generate discounts greater than existing individual deals on a basis of lower volume with overseas manufacturers.
Nowadays the Rocket premises are popular with patronage from Speedway competitors as they now understand what is readily available.
Undoubtedly Cowin's own career as a driver and owner of a race team has been an invaluable lesson in having empathy with fellow competitors about cost, efficiency, supply and service. Years of experience has culminated into streamlining the importation of performance parts at affordable prices for a variety of different motor sport disciplines. Should ever you need convincing, just go to the web site (www.rocketind.com) for confirmation.