Big moves are happening in the garment decorating industry! This week, we kick things off with Tyler Dummett, President of Workhorse Products, as he joins us to discuss the strategic merger between Workhorse Products and Lawson Screen & Digital—what it means for their customers and the industry at large. Then, in the second half of the show, Terry and Aaron dive into the broader impact of mergers and acquisitions in our space. Are these moves expanding opportunities and driving innovation, or are they simply bailouts for struggling businesses? Join us as we break down what’s happening behind the scenes and how it might affect your business moving forward! Don’t miss this insightful discussion—tune in live and share your thoughts!
Our regular listeners know this, but 2 Regular Guys are all about garment decorating, a bit of fun, and no rants, lectures, or selling. 2 Regular Guys was not created for our employers but for our industry. Since February 2013, The 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 improve your business and our industry. 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!
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News
If you have anything newsworthy you would like us to share, please email details to [email protected]. Use the subject line “Weekly News.”
Dad Joke
Terry: Mountains aren’t just funny…
They’re hill areas (Hilarious)
Mergers
Aaron: Tyler, welcome to the show. To my recollection, this is the first time we have been able to host you. Thanks for being here. Can you start by giving us a little background on you and your path to the industry?
Terry: So the big news we have you here to share is the announcement of a merger with Workhorse and Lawson. What led to the decision for Workhorse and Lawson to merge, and what excites you most about this partnership?
Aaron: What changes (if any) can Workhorse and Lawson’s customers expect in terms of product lines, customer service, or overall experience?
Aaron: Mergers can spark concern about company culture shifts. How do you plan to maintain the unique strengths and values that both Workhorse and Lawson bring to the industry?
Terry: Before we let you go, looking ahead, where do you see the screen printing and digital printing industry going, and how does this merger position Workhorse and Lawson for the future?
Why mergers and acquisitions?(Positive) Expand markets and footprint(Negative) Bail out a struggling entityThe US Screen experienceThe “stronger together” line… there’s always another reasonWhy Are Mergers & Acquisitions Happening Now?
Market Expansion & Growth: Companies are consolidating to strengthen their market position, offer a wider range of products, and expand their reach.Technology & Innovation: Many M&As are aimed at leveraging new technologies to stay competitive, like Epson acquiring Fiery for its digital workflow expertise.Supply Chain & Distribution Efficiency: Companies are merging to improve logistics, reduce costs, and streamline operations.Financial Stability & Risk Reduction: Some M&As help struggling businesses stay afloat while others allow successful companies to scale faster.What does consolidation mean for small and mid-sized decorators?How does competition change when major players merge?Can M&As lead to innovation, or do they reduce competition and innovation?Reviewing OTHER Notable M&As in the Industry
GSG Acquired by Grimco: A major distributor consolidating. Will this impact how decorators source their materials?Printful & Printify Merger: Two of the biggest print-on-demand platforms joining forces. How will this affect print-on-demand sellers?STAHLS’ & OrderMyGear Collaboration: How will this change team stores and fulfillment operations?Epson & Fiery Acquisition: How does a hardware manufacturer integrating RIP software impact the future of digital printing?How Do Mergers Impact Small & Independent Decorators?
More Choices vs. Fewer Choices: Will decorators have access to better products and support, or will consolidation reduce options?Pricing & Vendor Relationships: How will pricing structures change as competition decreases?Customer Service Concerns: Do larger corporations provide the same level of hands-on support as smaller independent suppliers?Supply Chain Stability: Could these mergers improve or disrupt product availability?Are decorators concerned about service changes when their favorite vendors merge?How can small businesses adapt to supplier consolidation?What steps can decorators take to protect themselves from unexpected changes?What Should Decorators Watch for in the Future?
Predicting the Next Wave of M&As: Will we see more industry consolidation in 2025?The Role of Private Equity & Investment: How are investment firms shaping the industry?Opportunities & Risks: What can decorators do to take advantage of market shifts?Should decorators diversify vendors to reduce risk?
What industries are likely to see more mergers?
How can decorators future-proof their businesses?
The Secret Sauce
We serve up bite-sized tips for our #regulators to instantly spice up their decorated apparel business. Just like the perfect wing sauce, these quick tips can transform your business experience, adding flavor and depth to your operations. Each video in this playlist is a nugget of wisdom, carefully selected for its potential to bring immediate value to your work. So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started in the decorated apparel industry, dip into our ‘Secret Sauce’ for insights that can help you soar.
OTHER EVENTS
Small Business Saturdays – Saturdays at Noon Central Time and then available to watch any time.Rising Tide Talks! – Wednesdays at 5 PM Central Time and then available to watch any time.Master of Success Inner Circle – Bi-Weekly Mastermind Groups on top of the industry-leading business training.Complete Screen Printing Business Course with Atlas Screen Supply in Chicago March 15-16.Complete Screen Printing Business Course with Workhorse Products in Phoenix, AZ, February 1-2The Take-up with Erich Campbell – Fridays at 2:30 Mountain TimeDemystifying Next Level Digitizing Online Training from Erich CampbellUnderstanding Emblems Learn from Erich Campbell about digitizing for patches. Trade Shows
DAX Kansas City KCI Expo Center, Kansas City, MO – February 21-22, 2025Fast Track Your Success: Halve The Time to Achieve Your Goals – February 21, 2025 at 2 PMHow To Master Pricing: Pricing For Profit – February 22, 2025 at 12:30 PMGraphics Pro Expo Irving, TX – March 6-8, 2025Impressions Expo Atlantic City, NJ – March 20-22, 2025Summit of Success – April 10-12, 2025 | Coteau des Prairies Lodge | North DakotaDAX Nashville Farm Bureau Expo Center, Lebanon, TN – May 9-10, 2025DAX Chicago Schaumburg Convention Center, Schaumburg, IL – May 30-31, 2025Graphics Pro Expo Indianapolis, IN – June 19-21, 2025DAX Twin Cities Hilton Doubletree, Bloomington, MN – August 1-2, 2025Graphics Pro Expo Long Beach, CA – August 21-23, 2025
All dates and events are subject to change