Kenny Lawson, owner of C.C. Creations, discusses how Tajima’s advanced embroidery machines revolutionized his business. From improved efficiency to increased product quality, Kenny reveals the impact of Tajima technology on C.C. Creations’ success, especially with high-profile clients. Discover how C.C. Creations achieved significant growth by embracing innovation.
Driving innovation: how Tajima machines transformed C.C. Creations’ production quality and growth.
C.C. Creations Owner Kenny Lawson
C.C. Creations
Despite our efforts to control and schematize life, it frequently happens that fate gets out of hand, takes paths of its own, and leads us elsewhere than we planned. Which is not always bad; on the contrary. Sometimes the surprises are positive, very positive. It’s the story of C.C. Creations.
Since its founding in 1982, C.C. Creations has grown from a small screen-printing shop in Bryan (Texas – US) to one of the largest custom apparel manufacturers in the United States. Over the years, as they upscaled operations, expanded product lines, and attracted major clients like Nike and Lululemon, maintaining high standards of quality became increasingly challenging. Enter Tajima, a leading name in embroidery technology. With the introduction of Tajima’s i-TM Intelligent Thread Management System and advanced TMEZ machines, CC.C. Creations found a game-changing solution to boost productivity and quality. Kenny Lawson shares insights into the transformative role of Tajima technology in C.C. Creations’ operations.
Could you tell us a little about C.C. Creations and its journey?
C.C. Creations started in 1982 as a small screen-printing shop with just five employees. I joined as the sixth, and we started adding embroidery in 1988. Fast forward to today, we’re now the largest custom manufacturer for screen printing and embroidery in Texas and the third largest in the U.S. We’ve just opened a new 210,000-square-foot facility and currently employ over 600 people. With our expansion, our primary focus is on custom manufacturing, especially for big brands, which demand top-notch quality standards.
And The vision is obviously growth. We’re continuing to grow our sales throughout the state of Texas, focusing specifically on Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin. We’re putting new sales reps in those territories as we speak. We have sales classes coming in about every two to three months. And next year (2025), we’ll grow our sales staff over 40 sales people. Currently, total revenue of the company is just shy of $70 million.
How did Tajima machines help you meet those high-quality standards?
When we decided to open our new facility, we saw it as an opportunity to upgrade our technology and tackle the inefficiencies we faced. The i-TM system from Tajima introduced us to a new level of precision and reliability. It’s designed to handle various fabrics — from burlap to stretch polos — which was essential for us since we work with a range of materials. The presser foot activation and auto-tensioning were huge improvements, especially for detailed elements like clean text, trims, and fills. It’s made a difference for both our product quality and workflow efficiency.
What were the specific advantages you noticed with the Tajima i-TM and TMEZ machines?
First, the speed improvement was remarkable. We saw a 25% increase in speed, which directly impacted our productivity. With i-TM, we reduced downtime drastically — no more constant stops for thread breaks or adjustments. The machines also improved our QC process. They produce such clean embroidery that items require minimal quality control once off the machine, which saves time and reduces bottlenecks.
It sounds like the new machines streamlined your operations significantly. How else did they contribute to growth?
Tajima’s TMEZ machines allowed us to double our embroidery capacity. We went from 84 heads to 160, which means we can meet higher demands without compromising quality. The i-TM also makes it easier to train new operators, allowing us to scale up our workforce faster. Our facility layout, coupled with the Tajima machines, has optimized our workflow so that products move seamlessly from one stage to the next.
How has the transition to Tajima machines impacted your relationship with big clients?
With clients like Nike and Lululemon, quality and efficiency are non-negotiable. The new auto-trimming feature on the Tajima machines ensures that we meet the precision these clients expect, especially on items like caps and finely detailed logos. We’ve noticed a significant boost in our reputation with clients who value high-quality and quick turnaround times.
Looking forward, what are your goals with Tajima technology?
We’re excited to implement the Tajima Pulse ID software to monitor output and downtime across the production line. It’ll help us track performance, troubleshoot issues, and further refine our processes. At C.C. Creations, we’re focused on sustainable growth, so any technology that boosts productivity and ensures consistency aligns with our goals. Tajima’s commitment to innovation mirrors our own, making them a key partner as we continue expanding.
