A heating station for use with, for example, a high speed parallel manufacturing line for manufacturing insulated glass units, the heating station including at least two opposing infrared heaters that linearly heat spacer material that includes integrated temperature sensitive adhesive. Each of multiple linear infrared heaters includes a respective associated temperature sensor. The infrared heater and temperature sensor are coupled to a spacer heating controller that controls intensity and/or duration of heating of the spacer material and adhesive to provide optimal wetting and adhesive qualities. Individual control of the at least two opposing linear infrared heaters compensates for variable environmental conditions affecting spacer material at different locations around and insulated glass unit.