WISBECH, UK – 5 Star Cases is about halfway through the supply of a large amount – currently around the one-thousand mark and expected to continue to double that number – of cases to AV rental and staging company, Central Presentations Ltd (CPL), which operates out of Birmingham and Bristol. CPL has been using 5 Star for its case requirements since late 2006, and is currently in the process of replacing all its existing road cases for both locations with new cases and ensuring that every piece of equipment – from the largest, including Barco FLM projectors, Sony HXC100 camera channels and Grass Valley HD PPU to single hand-bag sized microphones – has a new case.
All the new cases are finished in a red laminate and range from lightweight briefcase styles to large Tour Grade trunks.
The two companies have also come up with a new modular system for CPL called Q-Pack based on 5 Star's Eurotrucker series of cases – a general purpose trunk that also accommodates a number of trays, 19-inch rack sleeves and other 5 Star-designed CPL accessories. 5 Star's Steve Swann is managing this project.
The Q-Pack system involves a series of foam inserts. The Q-Pack is now also available as a standard 5 Star product range, and if other companies buy the same system, gear can be re-packed very easily, and all appear to be from a single source.
The Q-Pack GP cases stack four across in the back of a standard artic truck trailer, and CPL is changing its entire hire and rental stock to fit into this system.
"There is a fantastic synergy between 5 Star and ourselves, and people are frequently commenting on our casing and the general presentation of our kit. Apart from protecting the equipment, appearances are important," noted Matthew Boyse, MD of CPL.
CPL has three divisions – equipment hire, technical services and venue services, which involves working on a whole range of events and with other companies.
"Developing a long term relationship with a busy and proactive client like CPL is a great experience that presents challenges and learning curves – which is what we like," said 5 Star's Steve Swann. "Getting to know a company over a period of time really helps the flow and efficiency of the operation and is constantly stimulating new ideas."
For more information, please visit www.5star-cases.com.
