Rocky Martino – Suburban Hose Repairs (VIC)

At the end of Year 11, I began my apprenticeship as a Fitter and Turner with a small family-owned engineering business that specialised in a wide range of work, from dust suppression systems and industrial vacuums to electro and permanent magnets and security disintegrators. It was the perfect place to build a strong foundation in my trade. I learnt how to operate lathes, milling machines, surface grinders, welders and other tooling, performing a variety of tasks that gave me invaluable hands-on experience. Over time, I became the senior fitter and occasionally travelled on-site to install and commission machines.

During this time, I attended night school for three years to further my studies in Fluid Power, gaining a solid understanding of hydraulics and pneumatics. After ten years in the role, I was ready for a new challenge and that’s when I joined Pirtek.

Pirtek was my introduction to the hose and hydraulics industry. I learnt about the many applications of hydraulic systems and, importantly, how to interact directly with customers. I enjoyed being on the road, tackling a range of jobs, meeting new people, and delivering great service wherever I went.

It was during my time at Pirtek that I met Ray and Peta Davis, who owned the Melbourne Hydraulink franchise. We often purchased hose tails and adaptors from them, and over time, we developed a strong friendship. Ray would often encourage me to join Hydraulink, and after just over ten years at Pirtek and with the full support of my wife Annie, I decided to take him up on the offer.

We bought a second-hand van from John and Mandy at Hydrautech, gave it a spruce-up, and hit the road. It was 2005, and with a four-year-old and a three-month-old at home, it was a big step. Annie worked from home while managing the household, and the early days were tough, however  we had incredible support from everyone at Hydraulink and from Paul at North West Hose & Fittings. To this day, Paul and I still bounce ideas off each other almost daily.

With my background in the industry, it didn’t take long to build up a strong customer base and forge some great friendships along the way. I’ve always enjoyed the banter and the satisfaction of helping customers, earning their trust and delivering the reliable service they expect.

What Lee and Noel have built with Hydraulink is truly a testament to their leadership, and we’re proud to be part of it. One of the things that initially attracted me to Hydraulink was the versatility of their two-piece hose tail and ferrule system, which really set them apart.

As a Hydraulink distributor, you couldn’t ask for more in terms of backing, support, and shared values. Being surrounded by like-minded people makes it even better. The annual conferences are always a highlight,  Hydraulink puts on an excellent event where we can catch up with everyone in a relaxed atmosphere, share a few laughs, and reflect on the year that’s been.

We truly feel like part of the Hydraulink family, and it’s a privilege to represent such a respected leader in the hydraulics industry. After 20 years, I still enjoy what I do and take great pride in servicing my customers. Thanks for being part of my Hydraulink journey and here’s to many more years to come.