Ron Witters and Jeff Cottrell founded Screen Works in 1987

Ron Witters and Jeff Cottrell founded Screen Works in 1987 in a one-car garage. Today, Screen Works is located at 3970 Image Dr. Dayton, Ohio in a 46,000 sq. ft. facility.
Originally, the two owners realized the need for T-shirts and event specialty items within their sport of motocross racing. A two-person staff was utilized during the day
on one four-color manual press. Ron and Jeff maintained their full-time jobs while printing in the evenings. Evenings could, and often did, turn into the wee hours of
morning. Screen Works’ daily output at that time was 500 shirts a day.
The first large order came in 1987 for the Kenworthy’s Pro Race Series. Screen Works was chosen to print the official event shirt. From the company’s inception, they
wanted to be known as “the Event Specialists” and the Kenworthy’s race was certainly a major event in the Dayton Area. Screen Works had their start and were on their
way.
In 1988, the company moved to the more spacious confines of a barn. They also bought an additional press and a larger print dryer. During the famed drought of that
year, the company produced a T-shirt design for the public displaying they had survived the drought. Jeff devised a marketing plan to both sell shirts and help the
community through the Ohio Farmer’s Support Program. For every tee bought, the company pledged $1.00 to the relief fund. The company not only raised more than
$2500 for the fund, but also caught the attention of the local news media, which provided Screen Works with some very positive publicity.
1989 marked the beginning what long-time employees refer to as the “Valley Years”. The company took on a 2,000 sq. ft. facility on Valley St. in Dayton. It also saw the
two owners leave their “day” jobs and devote themselves full-time to their growing enterprise. Later that year, the company bought their first computer system devoted
to the production of print art. This was a major financial commitment and to make sure production deadlines were met and profits turning, Jeff and Ron would find
themselves printing all day, late into the night, and sleeping at their new shop. But their dedication was starting to reap some benefits.
In 1990, the company doubled in size to 4,000 sq. ft. and nine full-time employees. The company purchased an eight-color automated press and a larger dryer to handle
the company’s increasing volume. In July, Screen Works became the “Official Printer of the United States Air and Trade Show.” In January of 1991, the United States
became involved with Operation Desert Storm. Screen Works created new designs showing support for the war. Turning to the formula used during the drought
marketing campaign, Screen Works donated profits gained on the sale of these shirts to Operation Support. Operation Support was a non-profit organization created to
aid families with loved ones involved in the Gulf conflict. The response from retailers and the general public was overwhelming for these shirts. The media helped
promote the program with virtually non-stop coverage. The end result was over $40,000 being raised for use by people right here in the Miami Valley. In addition to being
immensely proud of this achievement, Screen Works gained the respect of the community and received tremendous media coverage.
Dedicated efforts of employees permitted a gradual growth to more than 8,000 sq. ft. by the end of 1993. Screen Works was now servicing customers such as Harrah’s
Casino, Merv Griffin’s Resort Casino, and many other of Atlantic City’s well known casinos. Screen Works developed a sportswear line called Grafix that sold well both
nationally and internationally. Screen Works continued its steady growth from 1994 through 1996. In 1997, the company purchased a ten-color automatic press, again in
an effort to keep pace with production demands. It was obvious that Screen Works needed a bigger home, and the process to find that location started in early 1998.
In November 1998, the company moved to its current address of 3970 Image Drive. The 21,000 sq. ft. location seemed immense to those who had shared Screen Works’
early years. The move from Valley St. to the new building was completed in one weekend. Due to employee and management teamwork on the move, only one day was
lost in their production schedule. The company would not have had any down time if the local power company could have made the needed inspections on time. This
period is looked at, by those involved, as near perfect coordination of a very large under taking. Screen Works’ work force on Nov. 1, 1998, including owners,
management, and production personnel was 11 people. The stage was now set for the company to really spread their wings and soar with other well established
corporations.
Currently, the company has expanded the Image Drive facility three times to 46,000 sq. ft. Screen Works continues to purchase equipment and now boasts two fourteencolor and three ten-color automated presses. In addition, Screen Works also uses three eight-color manual presses and three dryers. Screen Works incorporated
equipment to allow the capability of in-house image setting. With two full shifts and 65 full-time employees, Screen Works has the capacity of producing up to 50,000
shirts a day. Screen Works’ latest expansion includes a complete commercial laundry division, and in December 2000, they unveiled an embroidery division.
Then came September 11th, 2001. A very sad time for the United States, but once again Screen Works was already looking for ways to help. After coming up with the
internationally recognized "United We Stand" design, Ron and Jeff were ready to dedicate their shop's efforts in order to help those affected by the September 11th
attacks. By October, Screen Works had sold over 100,000 of the shirts, raising enough money to donate one million dollars to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief
Fund.
The future appears to be bright for the company. They have been producing shirts for many of the top teams in Sprint Car Racing. The Know Your Enemy sportswear
line has been reintroduced and is catering to the custom big bike groups. They continue to push the envelope of print technology everyday.
3970 IMAGE DR.
DAYTON, OH 45414
1-800-536-9111
937-264-9111
www.screenworksinc.com
Our goal is to raise funds and awareness
for our troops and their families, past and present.
We hope that these shirts will be worn all over the world
to show the love and support for those that are risking
or have risked their lives, protecting our freedoms.
We at Know Your Enemy Sports / Screen Works Inc.
vow to never forget those that gave so much, or gave all.
We challenge individuals, American corporations
and organizations, to join us in honoring our heroes.
CINCINNATI’S OWN!
MISSING SINCE APRIL 9, 2004
Name: Keith Matthew "Matt" Maupin
Branch/Rank: U.S. Army Reserves / Pfc - Spc - Staff Sgt
Unit: Army Reserves 724th Transportation Company, Bartonville, Ill
Date of Birth/Age: 13 July, 1983 (20)
Home City of Record: Batavia, OH
Date Captured: April 9, 2004 about Noon
Country: Iraq
Original Status: Duty Status Where-A-Bouts Unknown April 19, 2004
ARMY Changes Status to MISSING CAPTURED Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground
www.knowyourenemysports.com
1,000,000.00
Pictured to the left is Screen Works United We Stand
Design produced to help in the 9/11aftermath. As most
Americans, Screen Works desired to help in a time of
our nations greatest tragedy. Screen Works conceived the
design just a day after 9/11. The company contacted the
American Red Cross offering to donate proceeds from
the sale of the design on t-shirts and sweatshirts.
Company owners, Jeff Cotrell and Ron Witters boldly
proclaimed on local media that Screen Works would raise
a $1,000,000 to help in these great disasters. To meet
that end the two owners dedicated their entire operation
to the cause. For almost a month Screen Works only
business was order taking, production and fulfillment of
United We Stand shirts.
In early October Screen Works was able to present a
check to the American Red Cross National Disaster
Relief Fund for $1,000,000. For their efforts Screen
Works received commendations from the President of
the United Sates , the Governor of Ohio and
Congressional leaders . In late October the Honorable
Tony Hall read Screen Works achievement into the
Congressional Record of the United States. To date it’s
still the company’s finest hour.
COMING SOON...
The highways of America stretch across the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.
We are working together, building together, and riding together.
United We Stand...God Bless the U.S.A.