Please find some links and notes from the 2 Regular Guys Podcast. Terry and Aaron take a look forward at what we would like to see in the industry for the coming year. 10 Things We Would Like to See.  The ideas range from new products to new techniques, to new ways of doing business. We even call out some folks from time to time. Don’t miss this lively show and listen to what the 2 Regular Guys want for our industry. Plus enjoy some new fun segments for 2017!

Sponsored by: Equipment Zone and Pic The Gift

Our regular listeners know this, but 2 Regular Guys are all about garment decorating, a bit of fun, and no rants or lectures or selling. We are not doing this for our employers, but rather for our industry. For the past 4 years, 2 Regular Guys have been the first and the most listened to garment decorating industry podcast on this planet! We are humbled by all of you tuning in each week. We work hard to bring you information that will make your business better, and our industry better. Take a look at our incredible weekly guest list and you’ll understand where this industry goes for news, interviews and the heartbeat of garment decorating. Thanks for listening!!

News Items

Lexington, Kentucky-based Lexmark International, a manufacturer of laser printers and enterprise software serving a variety of industries, including retailers and sign manufacturers, announces that its acquisition by a consortium of investors. The investors were led by China-based Apex Technology Co. Ltd., which designs, manufactures, and markets inkjet and laserjet cartridge chips for remanufacturers and distributors; and PAG Asia Capital, an investment management firm. Legend Capital, which is also based in China, is part of the consortium also. The transaction was approved by Lexmark shareholders and had to receive regulatory approval from the U.S., China and certain other foreign jurisdictions. Lexmark’s headquarters will continue to be in Lexington.

Amazon is among the suitors for bankrupt retailer American Apparel, Reuters reports, a deal that would represent "a major push for the e-commerce company into branded fashion and apparel" after it "quietly" launched at least seven private label fashion brands last year. Any bankruptcy court bid would have to exceed $66 million, and other companies Reuters says are in the hunt include Forever 21, Next Level Apparel and Authentic Brands. 

Shout out to David of Tee-rific Graphics - www.ourcustomtshirts.com

10 Things We Would Like to See in the Industry

1) Aaron: I think I’ll jump right in with a pretty forward though and just get us started. I think as an industry we are getting better at cooperating a little bit, but there are still too many “old school” mind sets out there that feel like they have this great info they need to keep under wraps because if they let it out someone will steal it. Well the real fear is that if they let it out someone will do it better. Well guess what the information is out there. There is very little new other than the way we do things, the way we treat our customers and our stakeholders.

2) Terry: I’m doing a DAX Seminar called Sportswear Garage, where I talk about starting either a screen printing or direct-to-garment business from your home. I think it would be great if a company offered a professional startup kit. In the past, most of these “be a garment decorator in a box” offers consisted of higher than normal pricing and lower than normal quality of equipment and supplies. I’d like to see a true professional package including garment and supply sources and “here’s how you do it right” instruction as well.