IPC Apex Series, Day 1, Interview 7 - Justin Worden

The D-Code Podcast

🧠 What if your consumables supplier axed the middleman and rebooted an industry chapter? That’s Justin Worden’s game plan. Sat down with my buddy live at IPC APEX 2025 D-Code Podcast to unpack how ROCKA Solutions and his SMTA Austin Chapter hustle are shaking things up. 💡 What’s Rocka Solutions? Kicked off as a global distributor for Zestron, Weller, and Indium, they flipped the script during COVID. Now they’re manufacturing SMT stencil rolls and more inhouse with no distribution bloat. ⚙️ Justin’s Highlights: COVID Pivot Power: Raw material shortages? Rocka took control, owning their supply chain for price, quality, and availability that hits. No Markup Nonsense: Skipping 5 layers of distribution means premium consumables at what you should pay no 30% gouging from local rep to local rep to local rep to your floor. SMTA Austin Comeback: As the new (voluntold) president, Justin turned a dormant chapter into a powerhouse catering to exhibitors and attendees. Disruptive’s the word. Justin’s rewriting the rules on sourcing, marketing and community one stencil roll and expo at a time