APDSP Members Merge: Thomas Acquires Dynamic

By Ed Avis

            Two APDSP members in Texas have joined forces. Thomas Printworks, which has locations throughout Texas and in other states, acquired Dynamic Reprographics of Austin effective February 1.

            Lisa Tipps, co-founder of Dynamic, was at a decision-making point because she sold the building that housed her firm in 2019. The building is being torn down to make way for a mixed-use residential development.

            “Lisa reached out to us, and we’ve known each other for many years,” says Trevor Hansen, Thomas Printworks’ chief revenue officer. “It’s a good tuck-in opportunity for us.”

            Tipps confirms that the sale to Thomas went smoothly: “I’ve known the Thomas’ for some years and think the world of them,” she says. “Theirs is a family-style business and run much in the same way that Dynamic was run.”

Compatible Customer Base

            Thomas Printworks already has a location in Austin, but the acquisition allows the firm to grow its customer base.

            “We offer the same services she does, plus a lot more,” Hansen explains. “This gives us access to a customer base that she’s built relationships with over the years. And we’re able to expand the service offerings to those customers.”

            The customer base of Dynamic, which was founded in 1975, had been primarily AEC businesses, but Tipps had been growing the firm’s work with the artist community in Austin. Dynamic offered high quality scanning and prints to artists.

            “We work with that community, too, so it was a good fit in that way, too,” Hansen says.

            Thomas is accommodating the addition of some of Dynamic’s equipment by expanding into a space beside their current Austin location, Hansen says.

            “There’s a PlotWave 900 that we’re taking, some small-format equipment, a little bit of finishing equipment, and scanning equipment,” he says.

            Dynamic had 20 employees when the companies merged, Tipps says.

            “Many of them are helping with and staying through the transition and are excited about it,” she says.

Quick Process

            When Tipps sold her downtown Austin property to a developer in the fall, the clock began ticking. She hired a consultant to help her.

            “The consultant/advisor I hired had extensive knowledge of the reprographics business and industry and had experience buying and selling reprographics companies,” she explains.

            The consultant reached out to more than one prospective buyer, but Thomas was a natural fit.

            “The negotiations took place over a period of two to three weeks,” says Tipps, who is staying on temporarily to help with the transition.

            Asked about her next move, Tipps doesn’t hesitate: “Retirement!”