Wise Business Forms celebrates 50 years
Bill Prettyman learned the value of people, customers and suppliers from his uncle, David Wise.
“All those things are the foundation of the company and that's what we've done right from the beginning,” said Prettyman, president of Wise Business Forms, a trade manufacturer providing business forms, labels and digital printing.
“Even though some people may have changed, we may have added customers or had new suppliers, the value to be placed on that has not changed at all.”
More than 100 employees and their families celebrated the company's 50th anniversary Monday afternoon with lunch, games, a raffle and the chance to soak Prettyman in the dunk tank.
David Wise founded the company in November 1969, Prettyman said.
Wise, who ran the Eagle Printery, desired a new product, Prettyman said. Originally, the business had a salesperson who lived across the street from the plant's original location on Pillow Street, which was previously a Fox grocery store.
“We struggled for a few years in this business,” he said.
Then, in 1972, the company joined the National Business Forms Association and started selling through distributors, he said.
In 1993, Wise stepped down as president when he turned over the company to his nephews.
In the business, distributors get orders for different types of printing jobs. Those orders are sent to companies that specialize in a certain product.
Wise specializes in forms products, Prettyman said, adding the products shipped from Wise are under the name of the distributor.
The product lineup includes snap-out handwritten forms that contain multiple parts, continuous forms that run through computer printers, cut-sheet forms that run through laser-cut sheet printers, industrial labels and jumbo rolls that are produced in statement processing centers.
What began as a small operation with three presses on Pillow Street in Butler has grown, said John Hodak, who started his career with the business in 1976.
For about 30 years, Hodak has been the plant manager after holding the role of shift supervisor for a number of years.“It's a big milestone,” Hodak said. “It doesn't seem like that long, it went pretty quick.”Wise was innovative, he said.“He was forward-thinking,” he said. “I think Bill and Jeff have taken the same approach since they've taken over.”Karen Patterson Wise said her late husband would be proud of the work her nephews have done with the company to reach 50 years.“I'm excited,” she said about the company hitting the milestone.Wise's charisma and personality attracted customers and created employee loyalty, she said.“Once they're here, I think they see a future,” she said.The business has grown from one to five locations — Pennsylvania, Georgia, Indiana, Maine and South Carolina, said Jeff Prettyman, the executive vice president who works in the Georgia office.“Business Forms is still needed by a lot of companies,” said Prettyman, who has been with the company for 38 years. “Technology has affected it as far as the use of them, so we've been acquiring companies, that's how we're staying ahead through acquisition.”In 1981, he had the opportunity to become involved in the business when it expanded to Fort Wayne, Ind., and he was attending school at the time. He transferred to Indiana University at Fort Wayne, finished school and learned the business until he worked full time.Quality product and innovative solutions are the company's focus, he said.“We have great employees,” he said about one aspect that has made the business a success. “Great employees are key.”Over the next two months, the celebration continues at its other locations, he said.The company is diversifying its products, such as adding jumbo rolls and industrial labels to the print lineup in 2017, Bill Prettyman said.Perseverance is needed to stay in business, he said, adding that he plans to continue growing the business from its current 300 employees to 500 or 600 over the next 10 to 15 years.“We just want to provide more jobs and job security for the people (who) are here and opportunities,” he said.Gratitude is the word Prettyman used to describe reaching 50 years.“Very few companies get to see 50 years in business,” he said. “I feel we're very blessed to be here.”
1965: David Wise buys Eagle Printery1969: Wise Business Forms is founded in Butler1981: The business expands to Fort Wayne, Ind.1985: The business expands to Alpharetta, Ga.1997: The company moves from East Butler to 150 Kriess Road, Butler, its current location2003: The business acquires a company in Portland, Maine, that is now a printing facility2017: The business acquires Brandmark Label in Anderson, S.C. That same year, the company also acquires Datatel Resources Corporation in Monaca, Pa.2019: Wise celebrates its 50th anniversary
