Anything is possible
November 30, 2012
"Anything is possible" is the credo of Queensland's rapidly growing 5 Star Timbers situated on the northern Gold Coast.
Founded in March 2008, with a staff of 6 by the enthusiastic & energetic Justin Lanyon, this dynamic timber merchanting business has experienced 15% year on year growth & now employs 13, with zero staff turn over. 5 Star Timbers believes it is people that lead to the success of a company & as such they have a unique staff benefit plan which combines above award wages, career advancement, continual access to training & excellent working conditions. All employees share in the company's profits & success.
In 1988, following his grandfather & father into the timber industry, Justin joined Pinewood Products working in the mill before moving in 1990 to Fineline Timbers. Starting in the yard, Justin quickly progressed to internal sales, then relieving manager, eventually becoming overall manager & a shareholder.
Deciding to go out on his own in 2008 at the age of 38, as a proud Australian, Justin named 5 Star Timbers after the Southern Cross getting the message across that the company is Australian owned & offers top quality products. Located on the Gold Coast Brisbane corridor just off the M1 at Stapylton, originally on 4500 square metres hard stand with 1100 metres under cover, the company now has 5500 square metres hard stand with plans to extend even further. The site has been designed to maximize & utilize all available space in a cost effective & efficient manner while at the same time retaining a safe working area that provides clear access for forklifts, staff & customers.
5 Star Timbers use solar power to run its kiln drying operation while the bulk of waste material is collected & utilized in the Ti Tree Bioenergy Scheme. Ti Tree Bioenergy is a waste disposal facility that utilizes "best practice" bioreactor technology to rapidly stabilize waste while capturing environmentally damaging methane & converting it into electricity. An environmental partnership between the company & Yatala Environmental Solutions has seen the recycling of materials such as plastic wrapping, polyester & steel strapping & timber pallets.
5 Star Timbers was the first retail merchant in Queensland with a full scope of products to be chain of custody certified with PEFC/AFS. Obtaining FSC certification is now high on the agenda.
In conjunction with DeckMaster, 5 Star Timbers has developed an innovative concealed deck fixing product with end matching profile. The product addresses the issues assocaited with traditional decking products, such as splitting, popped nails, durability & waste combined with an installation process that ensures best building practices are adhered to.
An extensive television advertising campaign on the product with Channel 9, GEM & GO commenced at the end of August, resulting in unprecedented demand from builders & consumers. Further information can be found at www.5stardecking.com.au
Joining TABMA at the company's inception in 2008, 5 Star Timbers has been the recipient, in 2011 & 2012, of 2 Gold Coast Business Awards, is a nominee for the 2012 Telstra Small Business Award & has been nominated for an award at the 2012 Queensland Timber Industry Dinner on November 3. Joining the company this year as Marketing & Media Executive, Brooke Bourke has been instrumental in ensuring a constant trade & consumer awareness & presence through print advertising, the internet, social media, television, sponsorship & the coordination of company events.
5 Star Timbers are a valued TABMA supporter using TABMA for placing trainees & apprentices, recruitment & staff satisfaction surveys while major suppliers are Asia Pacific, Hyne, Tasman KB & Future Wholesale Timbers.
With 90% of customers emanating through the trade the "anything is possible" & "nothing can't be done" philosophy is ensuring this fledgling organization is destined for far greater heights.
-Published in TABMA TALK, November 2012