Over the last couple years, M&A activity has dominated headlines in the print and promo industries. In 2025 alone, major announcements like Gildan’s plans to acquire HanesBrands and Inktavo merging with OMG have left many in the space evaluating the larger impacts as well as what it means for their specific businesses.

While onsite at PRINTING United Expo 2025 in Orlando, Branding Together co-hosts Theresa Hegel of ASI and Cassie Green of PRINTING United Alliance caught up with Rusty Pepper, head of Global Markets and Partnerships, Taylor Corporation, to dive into M&A. On the heels of Taylor’s recent announcement of its acquisition of Gooten, Pepper weighs in on what he thinks the bigger picture looks like.

Pepper also outlines what he thinks apparel decorators and promo distributors should do in response to any big industry shake-up, whether it’s major acquisitions, tariffs, or any other impactful scenario.