Business POV

Rocket USA got its start importing reproduction tin toys from Japan. But owner Michael Perry got his big break when Simpsons and Futurama creator Matt Groening came calling. That lead to licensing deals to produce tin-toy versions of characters from both shows, including Bender the Robot. The company has a staff of 9 people and inventories and manufactures about 50 unique items. But it’s poised for big growth: it plans to release 25 new items in 2007 alone.

It’s not all fun and games at the company. As he looks to grow the company from “between $1 millon and $2 million” in gross revenue, Perry is entering the gift store market with new wares and debating whether to take big-selling products like the Bozo Bop Bag out of speciality stores and into mass retailers, where they run the risk of higher sales, but potentially lower profits.

Rocket USA’s licensed product lines include: The Family Guy™ tin toys and die cast figures
Futurama™ tin toys, gifts, games and cubicle signs
Bozo™ inflatable bop bags, kazoos, and games

Self proprietary product lines include: Uncle Sam’s Bank™ register style tin banks
Whirl-O™ tin magnetic yo-yo tops
Kazoo Land™ Kazoos uniquely shaped magnetic kazoos
Gort™ tin sci-fi classic robots

Rocket USA