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5 Star Takes The Lead At Synseal Go-Karting Challenge!
Chief Executive of Synseal, 5 Star windows took first and second place at the go-karting. Edward Westbury just beat Richard Manser for the top spot after a close race.
As well as fun and games 5 Star were also there to attend an orangery workshop to learn more about this range of exciting products and the industry.
Speaking about the sporting event David Leng wasn’t expecting such fast times and promised a tougher sporting challenge next time!
5 Star Windows are committed to constantly learning more about the benefits of the latest glazing technology and passing on this information and benefits to their customers.
For the latest technology and advice, 5 Star Windows are well placed to advise you on any Orangery project.
For more information get in touch with 5 Star Windows today, or visit us at our Kidderminster showroom.
The Kings Of The Swingers – 5 Star Win Conservatory Outlet Golf Open
We’re a competitive bunch at 5 Star Windows so when the keen golfers amongst the team gained word that 5 Star Windows & Conservatories had been invited to tee off in the 2015 Conservatory Outlet Golf Open they leapt at the opportunity.
It’s just so well they did as our quartet of budding Rory McIlroys’ triumphed on the course against some very stiff opposition to lift the 2015 Conservatory Outlet Golf Open.
Held recently at Oulton Hall in Leeds, home of the North of England’s leading golf performance centre and played over 9 holes, it was an early start for the squad who showed up for their breakfast at 6am prompt.
After filling their bellies, they took to the course at 7am to play 9 holes, returned for further fuel (scoffing another breakfast) and won the day; never mind practice makes perfect, perhaps having two breakfasts is the secret ingredient to golfing success.
The trophy was presented by Conservatory Outlet Manager Greg Kane to the victorious foursome, who we have fondly christened “3 Clubs” Richard Manser (team captain), “Where’s my ball” Alan Manser, “In the rough” Ed Westbury and “Where’s the bar” Peter Stone.
They’re already looking forward to defending their title.
A Race To The Finish Line; 5 Star Goes Go-Karting
The team at 5 Star work so hard throughout the year, so we always try to put time aside to treat them to something fun and exhilarating away from the office and factory.
Most recently, several of our fitters, sales people, trade team, surveyors, accountants, marketers and our MD Richard Manser headed for the nearby go-karting track.
Negotiating their way around its many twists and turns, it was a hotly contested race for the chequered flag and a great team building event where everyone gets to know each other whilst really letting their hair down.
In a nail biting finish, it was Sales Manager Ed Westbury who put his pedal to the metal and crossed the line first to take top spot on the podium and pop the champagne; no steward’s enquiry necessary.
He was closely followed by the Manser brothers, Richard and Ross, who finished in second and third place respectively.
Well done to everyone who took part.
5 Star Duo Go The Extra Mile For MTC Cards
When a homeowner chooses 5 Star Windows & Conservatories they have the peace of mind of knowing that we are a fully-fledged member of FENSA (Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme).
FENSA is the leading body providing homeowner protection in the double glazing industry for windows and doors.
As a FENSA member it is compulsory that each of our fitters hold an MTC (Minimum Technical Competence) card demonstrating that they are capable of meeting MTC in the surveying and installing of replacement windows and doors in domestic properties.
Founded in partnership with GQA Qualifications Ltd, a FENSA MTC card shows the identity of the holder and stores details of their experience and/or qualifications achieved.
A fitter can then show the card to a householder as proof of their abilities and to build trust. However, gaining a card isn’t an easy task and rightly so. Indeed, many fitters struggle to pass.
This makes it all the more impressive that our surveyor Les Jones and manager Darren Martin both recently took the necessary exams and passed together on the same day.
They didn’t have to obtain a FENSA MTC card as part of their roles but did so on top of their normal duties which is no mean feat.
Big congratulations to both of them!
5 Star Windows, An Open And Shut Case For The BBC DIY SOS Team
When BBC researcher Rajveer Sihota arranged for 5 Star Windows MD, Richard Manser to meet the DIY SOS team in Cheltenham on July 22nd 2015 few would have believed it possible for 5 Star to have agreed, surveyed, manufactured and started the install within just 10 days!
Richard explained “when the SOS arrived from the BBC explaining the predicament of the Jones family in Cheltenham it was inconceivable for 5 Star not to be at the heart of the rescue plan”. He went on to say “the installation in many ways was typical of the many houses we install every week, though the timescale was a challenge. Each of the made to measure wheelchair access composite doors and eight A rated uPVC windows had to be surveyed and installed whilst working around a multitude of other trades, not to mention an entire BBC film crew!”
There are few uPVC specialist installers with the manpower, infrastructure and financial clout to have taken on such a challenging project. Every year, 5 Star, who are part of the Conservatory Outlet Group, install around 3000 windows and doors, over 100 Conservatories, Orangeries, Lifestyle Extensions, Porches, Conversions and Traditional Extensions.
5 Star Installations Manager Darren Martin headed up the project install team which included 5 Star fitters Rae Martin, Paul Slattery and Ashley Bannister, who have over 75 years fitting experience between them. Darren remarked “every installation has its challenges but a BBC film crew was certainly a first!” When Darren was asked how the installation had gone he went on to say “it was a bread and butter job, no problems at all, everything fitted first time – just like I expected.”
5 Star, who are probably the largest independent Window and Conservatory business in the Midlands, installed almost £5,000,000 worth of products last year alone. Richard explained “the company’s success is centred on the name 5 Star. All of the 5 Star team strive to ensure that everything we do is 5 Star. The Jones’s will know how good we and their windows are for many, many years to come.”
Sales Manager Ed Westbury said: “Being involved with the BBC is a great selling point for the team; we feel it’s the ultimate recommendation!” He went on to give details of the geographical advantage of the Jones’s being in Cheltenham “our Sales Team travel up to 40 miles from Kidderminster to quote for all types of installations. The M5 and M42 corridors make journey times manageable for everyone. The Jones’s home being on the edge of our territory is ideal from a PR perspective.”
Will it be your home getting the 5 Star treatment next? We certainly hope so.
Many people start their 5 Star journey by visiting our website followed by a showroom visit to Worcester Road in Kidderminster and then by having a free, no obligation quotation supplied by one of our Home Design Consultants. We hope to look after you next.
For further help, advice or information please call 5 Star Windows on 01562 245384.
5 Star Invests In Youth And Hires New Apprentice
Youngsters get something of a bad press at times but there is lots of exciting new talent out there waiting to be given an opportunity in business. Their fresh ideas, enthusiasm and energy can often prove infectious.
5 Star has always been the type of firm to open its doors to young people eager to learn and forge a successful career.
We’ve done this recently after taking on 19-year-old David Platt as our newest apprentice.
David resides in the local area and will be undertaking a 2-year apprenticeship in Digital Marketing and Social Media at 5 Star.
This particular apprenticeship is designed to help develop communication skills and creative writing skills to engage with people online and in person.
He will shadow various departmental members during those two years so that he gets a thorough understanding of the business, whilst also taking one day out each week to study at College.
We’re pleased to say that he has settled in really well and is already making a great impression.
Hiring a young apprentice has previously worked out fantastically well for 5 Star.
Louis Barker, who was the first apprentice to be welcomed into the team, now heads up our Trade Counter and is the perfect example for David to follow.
A Tartan Wedding, 5 Star Man Ties The Knot
There were some aching heads and limbs after plenty drinking and dancing at the wedding of Kidderminster 5 Star Windows and Conservatories Senior Designer Ross Manser which took place last weekend.
Ross was married on Saturday 26th September to his beautiful wife Louise. He has worked with his brother and Best Man Richard at 5 Star Windows and Conservatories for the past 12 years so it was a real family affair.
The couple, who tied the knot at 12 noon in Abberley Church, were accompanied by Scottish bagpipes and then celebrated till the early hours of the morning at Wharton Park Golf Club, Bewdley. Ross, Louise and their guests were entertained by a live band who flew down from Scotland especially for the occasion.
Because it’s such a close-knit company, many of the 5 Star team attended the celebrations with a fully kilted 5 Star Sales Manager Ed Westbury acting as one of Ross’s ushers.
The night definitely went with a bang after a magnificent firework display thrilled the whole of Bewdley.
We wish Mr and Mrs Manser all the very best for the future!
Photograph: Senior Designer Ross Manser with his beautiful new wife Louise and their young two sons’.
Work Hard, Play Hard
It was an unforgettable day out recently for 3 staff members here at 5 Star as they were treated to a day out at Anfield to watch the Liverpool v Southampton game on Sunday 25th October.
Our Technical Surveyor Les Jones, Order Processor Louis Barker and Marketing Apprentice David Platt were the lucky men who got box seats at the iconic stadium for the game thanks to a generous supplier.
They made their way up north in style for the 4:00 kick-off where they were then treated to a buffet in the box before stepping out onto the balcony to watch the game which was very passionately contested in a hard fought draw.
A beautiful headed goal by Christian Benteke from a James Milner cross gave Liverpool the lead before The Saints pegged them back via a late equaliser from Saido Mane to deny Jurgen Klopp his first win as manager.
The three gentlemen were able to hang around after the game and meet the players which resulted in quite a few autographs being collected.
It was a great day out for them and they were on their best behaviour, representing 5 Star immaculately all day.
Contrary to what they say business and pleasure do sometimes mix.
Burning Calories To Raise Pounds!
5 Star’s Accounts Manager, Julia Cartwright-Jones, has completed her fourth charity run this year and her 10th over the last 4 years.
This year clocking up the miles Julia has completed both 5K and 10K Race for Life events but the always up for a challenge housewife, mum and full-time Accounts Manager went the extra mile to complete a further 5K Muddy Race for Life.
Three events in 2015 would be enough for most but Julia couldn’t resist the Black Country 5K which raises funds for the closest charity to her heart; The Mary Stevens Hospice, who cared for her own Mum during the final weeks of her life. Julia our superstar accountant then went even further to complete the 5K Santa Jog for The Mary Stevens Hospice just a few days ago.
Super mum Julia has to balance 5 Star’s books, her own family finances yet still wants to make a difference to the charities’ finances by raising nearly £1000 in sponsorship.
Everyone here at 5 Star is very proud of her accomplishments.
5 Star Trade Counter Raffle Time
With our February savers, now is your chance to get involved in our double discounts on a wide range of products.
Our 5 Star trade counter is a great place for window & conservatory installers, builders and DIY lovers to purchase supply only products like windows, doors, glass units, fascias and soffits, roofs and items like silicon, trims and fixings.
The counter, which is manned by Order Processor Louis Barker and Lesley Haddleton, is open Monday to Friday between 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The pair offer Technical Advice, Delivery and FREE SKIPS to those who need it.
Buyers from this month’s sale can get superb discounts such as 7.5% off window orders and 5% off on doors with all orders coming with a free fixing kit. Trade counter customers will also then be entered into our February raffle along with other customers to win a hamper of treats at the end of the month.
Our lucky winner for the January raffle was Dean Chambers of Chambers Property Management.
Don’t waste time and get involved for your chance to be the potential winner of our February raffle.
Explore our 5 Star Trade Counter today!.
The Running Season Is Back!
She took a little break but she’s back at it again, emptying our pockets and raising money for charity. Our Accounts Manager Julia Jones has got back into her rhythm and is once again completing a number of different races to raise funds for a number of causes she holds close to her heart.
Last year Julia managed to feature in four events over the course of the year racing in both 5K and 10K Race for Life events along with the Race for Life 5K Muddy Race and the Black Country 5K race for the Mary Stevens Hospice.
After completing four races last year she’s decided to up the ante on herself with the 10K cross country for the Stroke Association and a Half Marathon for the British Heart Foundation, with another Half Marathon on Sunday the 24th of this month for the Addison’s Self-Help Group still to come. With £610 raised so far she’s already made a blistering start to the year.
With a 10K race planned for later in the year again for the Addison’s Self-Help Group, a rare condition her husband Phillip suffers from which affects less than 8000 people, a 5K in support of Race for Life along with the Mary Stevens 5K for the second year running and finally another Race for Life 5K Muddy Race, ‘Team Turtle’ as she calls herself is well on course to complete 7 events before the year ends.
Everyone at 5 Star continues to be very proud of her achievements and we offer her all of our support.
If you’d like to donate to any of these charities or find out more information about the work they do links are available below:
http://www.marystevenshospice.co.uk/
https://www.bhf.org.uk/