When Section 179 and bonus depreciation come back into play, it's easy to get swept up in the excitement of "saving on taxes." Every year around this time, I start hearing from shop owners who are ready to buy a new machine before the end of Q4—sometimes for the right reasons, but often for the wrong ones. Don't get me wrong, I love a good deduction as much as anyone. But if you wouldn't buy that equipment without the tax break, you probably shouldn't buy it because of it.

In this episode of Buy the Numbers, I sit down with my good friend Ty Willis from Verdant Commercial Capital to talk about how to make smarter, data-driven decisions when it comes to equipment purchases. Ty shares a powerful analysis tool that helps manufacturers look beyond tax savings to understand true ROI—factoring in cash flow, breakeven points, and strategic timing. Together, we dig into what it really means to make a strategic equipment investment instead of an emotional one.

We also talk about what we're seeing in the market after attending AMT's MTForecast. While 2025 hasn't lived up to some expectations, all signs point to a strong rebound in 2026. That makes this the perfect time to evaluate your CapEx plans, your lending relationships, and your readiness for growth. Ty and I explore how financing can be an influencer, not the decision itself—and why the best purchases are made in alignment with your customers, not just your accountant.

If you've ever felt the year-end pressure to spend before you think, this conversation will help you pause, run the numbers, and invest with confidence.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• (1:17) Welcome to Buy the Numbers — Mike and Ty catch up and set the stage
• (1:40) Why manufacturers love Section 179—and why it shouldn't drive your buying decision
• (2:19) Grow your top and bottom line with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA)
• (2:58) Ty's equipment purchasing analysis tool and how it partners with firms like CLA
• (6:15) MTForecast recap: What 2025 taught us and what 2026 could bring
• (7:43) "Finance is an influencer, not the decision": Understanding your customer's demand before you buy
• (9:33) Pent-up demand and why Q1 2026 could be explosive for U.S. manufacturing
• (11:11) Banking relationships vs. alternative lending—why both matter
• (16:34) Verdant Commercial Capital's tailored approach to manufacturing finance
• (17:13) Structuring financing: loan-to-value and including setup, tooling, and rigging costs
• (19:50) Real numbers: Comparing cash flow impact between bank vs. Verdant financing
• (21:55) The Verdant application and approval process—approvals in 24–48 hours
• (24:57) Financing for cash-based businesses—building credit history the smart way
• (28:24) Setting good financial habits early to be "finance ready" when opportunity strikes
• (30:46) Beyond equipment: Verdant's acquisition by Axos and expanded capabilities
• (33:43) How to follow Ty for updates on new financial services
• (37:07) How ProShop ERP can help you achieve on-time delivery

Resources & People Mentioned

• Verdant Commercial Capital's tailored approach to manufacturing finance
• Grow your top and bottom line with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA)
• How ProShop ERP can help you achieve on-time delivery

Connect with Ty Willis

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Verdant Commercial Capital

Connect With Buy the Numbers

• Follow on LinkedIn
• Connect with Mike Payne on LinkedIn

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Audio Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK