Heidelberg Technologies Bring Speed, Quality & Growth Opportunities for Printers Across the Country

Wheeler, Inc. Moves Ahead with Heidelberg Prepress, Press and Postpress Technologies
As the primary printer for the Hot Springs, Ark. Oaklawn Thoroughbred Race Track, Wheeler Inc. knows about printing under pressure. “We print brochures for races on the day of,” said Robert Lewis, shop foreman. “We then bind the brochures that afternoon on our new Stitchmaster.” Wheeler recently installed a Heidelberg Stitchmaster ST 90 saddlestitcher to replace an older competitive model, and is now using the stitcher to help produce up to 20,000 brochures a day during race season. “We love the Stitchmaster ST 90, because it really pumps out those brochures when we need them,” Lewis said. Robert Lewis has been a firm believer in Heidelberg’s equipment for many years, so when he moved to Wheeler about a year ago, he suggested that they install Heidelberg’s Printmaster QM 46 to replace a competitive two-color machine. Wheeler already runs Heidelberg’s SM 74-4 for all four-color work, and at Lewis’s suggestion installed a 2-color Printmaster QM 46 late in 2006. “For plate changes, the P-QM 46 is just a great machine to run,” Lewis said. “It holds ink color well, is easy to set up, and we are really happy with the press. We run it at full speed.” Lewis has also overseen the installation of some Heidelberg prepress equipment, which has helped boost production for the company. “All you do is push a button, insert the plate, and run the processor which develops the plate…it’s great” he said. Not only does the Hot Springs, Ark.-based printer produce brochures for Oaklawn, it also does work for regional doctors, lawyers, schools and businesses. The 14-employee shop’s work includes yearbooks, magazines and books as well as general commercial work. Wheeler Inc. has been in business for more than 80 years, and is currently the largest shop in Hot Springs – even competing with shops in neighboring Little Rock.