When Superior Industrial Solutions acquired PJH TrackBite in July 2024, one of the first changes involved how traction compound was delivered to customers. After 17 years of exclusively manufacturing PJH TrackBite under a toll agreement, Superior now oversees both production and commercial operations.
Previously, PJH relied on a network of outside distributors to get TrackBite into the hands of track operators. Superior, however, already had its own fleet of trucks and multiple distribution hubs across the country. That infrastructure made it possible to eliminate the middleman and ship directly to tracks.
“After a year of ownership, we decided that we could serve the users of the product, primarily the track owners across the country, by setting up a direct-to-market program,” said company president Kurt Hettinga. “Instead of them having to buy through distribution, they could just buy direct from us.”
The change allowed Superior to cut costs and improve service. By shipping from eight locations instead of one, delivery times are faster, and in many regions, company trucks now deliver directly to the track gates. Hettinga said that has been especially beneficial for smaller facilities that often face tight budgets and deadlines.
“Part of improving the process was to do our best to reduce the price, and this is what added up to taking steps out of getting it to market by taking it direct,” Hettinga said.
The company’s presence at events also helps clear up misconceptions. Hettinga emphasized that the formula has not changed since Superior first began producing it in 2007. What has changed is customer support, with Superior staff available at tracks to answer questions and provide technical guidance.
“This gives us an opportunity to serve the industry, to make improvements where possible, and to give technical support where a track could use it,” Hettinga said.
For track operators, the shift means not only lower costs but also greater assurance that the product will arrive when needed. In drag racing, where preparation often determines performance, reliability in the supply chain is just as important as consistency in the compound itself.
