HM TODAY

International Newsletter for Holland Mechanics Wheelbuilding Systems BV
Vol. 4, No.1, September 2000

ROBOT DA: A Million Wheels

Santa Ana, California – Back in 1984, Bill Hencke started wheelbuilding as a business in a garage in
Santa Ana, making wheels on demand for a couple of clients who hand built small numbers of special
bicycles; the hottest racers, lightest tandems, the kind of thing you’d like for yourself. Bill Henke started
building wheels by hand, and the business expanded. With several builders, Hencke’s company
Sta-Tru still did everything by hand. But when they learned about Holland Mechanics and its reputation for
a reliable wheelbuilding equipment, the decision to buy a CF lacer was rapidly taken. It helped Sta-Tru
to expand still further; it could supply a small army of hand truers. However, several different people doing
hand trueing made it difficult to ensure the consistent quality the customers demanded. The logical
solution was to employ a Robot DA. In 1988 it arrived, and Sta-tru has grown ever since.

Bill Hencke writes, “to this day I’m amazed how versatile and reliable this machine is. The
usual wear parts get changed but everything else doesn’t wear out. From 49 spoke
20” wheels to alloy nipple equipped 700c road wheels it works hard every day and never
takes a lunch break.” When the counter of the DA neared 1,000,000, Bill Hencke had a
special all-gold plated wheel ready to take the honours.

With over one million wheels trued, the machine continues to contribute daily. Sta-Tru
now produces over 175,000 wheels annually, all on Holland Mechanics machinery.