Rocket Espresso: Brand, Origins and Craftsmanship from Milan
By Yalcin Akpinar · Food chemist, over 15 years in the flavour industry
Rocket Espresso: Brand, Origins and Craftsmanship from Milan
In a workshop just outside Milan, a copper boiler wall lies on the workbench, still warm from soldering, before it goes into a housing that will be sitting on your counter months later. This is exactly where the story of Rocket Espresso begins – not with an advertising promise, but with a piece of metal that someone shaped by hand.
Where Rocket Espresso really comes from
The registered office of Rocket Milano S.r.l. is in Liscate, about 20 kilometres east of Milan – so the greater Milan area, not the city centre itself. The brand was born in 2007, when New Zealanders Andrew Meo and Jeff Kennedy took over the struggling Italian branch of ECM. Italian Daniele Berenbruch joined later. A more international founding story than most people expect when they hear the word «Milan».
The manufacturer itself writes «designed and handcrafted in Milan» and refers to the «Fatto a Mano» tradition. How far the handcrafting actually goes, Rocket doesn't say – that remains a manufacturer claim, not a verified fact. What can be documented, on the other hand: copper and brass components for temperature stability and durability, a polished stainless steel housing and a pared-back, Italian design language that has barely changed in years.
What this way of building means for you
A Rocket on your counter doesn't automatically make measurably better espresso than any other well-maintained machine. It says something else – about the craftsmanship that goes into it, and about how you furnish your kitchen. That is a legitimate, emotional decision, and we respect it, just as we respect any other. Our opinion is only one of many possible ones anyway.
Within the current range, two brew group philosophies live side by side: the classic E61 group with thermosiphon circulation and mechanical pre-infusion, and the saturated group, which sits directly on the boiler and keeps the temperature even steadier throughout the shot. Which of the current models – from the compact heat-exchanger machine to the dual boiler – suits your kitchen and your ritual, we show you step by step in our Rocket Espresso model guide for Switzerland.
By the way, Rocket doesn't only build for the home. For the hospitality trade, the brand offers the R 9V and R 9 as multi-boiler machines with saturated groups, plus the RE DOPPIA, RE A TIMER, BOXER EVO, BOXER and BOXER TANK, as well as an under-counter system – the same building philosophy, simply designed for higher throughput.
What actually makes up the price of a Rocket
Brand and origins explain where a Rocket comes from – not why it costs what it costs. We looked into that question in a separate article: Why is Rocket Espresso worth its price? There, it's about build quality, technology and design in detail – here, we stay with the brand itself.
The right grinder and scale to go with it
A Rocket only really comes into its own with the right grinder beside it. For anyone who wants a grinder that is affordable yet precise, the Varia VS3 from our Varia collection is a natural companion. If you're looking for finer control over the grind size, you'll find it in the Weber Workshops EG-1 from our Weber Workshops collection. Both paths are valid; neither is just a stepping stone to the other.
The same principle applies to the scale: compact and reliable from our Normcore collection, or with a flow rate display and app connectivity from our Acaia collection.
As a Rocket Espresso partner, we deliver throughout Switzerland and to Liechtenstein in 2 to 4 working days. Every Rocket from us also comes with a personal private barista course, in which we go through extraction philosophy and the espresso ritual together on your new machine. Financing is an option.
Frequently asked questions about Rocket Espresso as a brand
Where are Rocket Espresso machines built?
The registered office is Rocket Milano S.r.l. in Liscate, about 20 kilometres east of Milan – so in the greater Milan area, not in the city itself. The manufacturer writes «designed and handcrafted in Milan» and refers to the «Fatto a Mano» tradition. How far the handcrafting actually goes, it doesn't say.
Is Rocket Espresso an Italian brand?
Made in Italy, yes, but the story is more international than it's usually told: Rocket Espresso was born in 2007, when New Zealanders Andrew Meo and Jeff Kennedy took over the struggling Italian branch of ECM. Italian Daniele Berenbruch joined later.
Does Rocket also build for the hospitality trade?
Yes: the R 9V and R 9 as multi-boiler machines with saturated groups, plus the RE DOPPIA, RE A TIMER, BOXER EVO, BOXER and BOXER TANK, as well as an under-counter system.
Which Rocket model suits me?
That depends more on your kitchen and your ritual than on the brand alone. You'll find a detailed model-by-model overview in our Rocket Espresso model guide.
Can I see the product before buying?
Our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b) show a wide selection, but not our entire range – the display changes. Drop us a quick line at [email protected] before your visit, and we will check whether the model you have in mind is currently on display.
Sources: Registered office according to the terms and conditions of Rocket's own online shop. The 2007 takeover by Andrew Meo and Jeff Kennedy is documented by the trade press but cannot be found on the manufacturer's website. Hospitality models according to rocket-espresso.com and the official catalogues. Rocket gives no information on the actual depth of its manufacturing – «handcrafted» is a manufacturer claim, not a verified fact.
Yalcin Akpinar
Co-founder, equipment and sensory
Graduate food chemist from the University of Hamburg, over 15 years in the international flavour industry, patents in flavour technology. With us he is responsible for roast profiles, bean selection and the choice of machines and grinders.
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